The Julia Koschitzky Youth Leadership Prize for Good Citizenship was established through the generosity of the Koschitzky family and was awarded for the first time on December 2nd, 2025, at the Haim Gouri Confederation House. Created in memory of Julia Koschitzky z’l, a beloved friend of Jerusalem and a champion of the Jewish people and Israel, the prize celebrates outstanding young people who embody the values she believed in. Through their actions, they strengthen the city, support its communities, and inspire others to lead with purpose.
The prize recognizes exceptional young people from Jerusalem’s youth movements who demonstrate a remarkable commitment to their neighborhoods. These young leaders give their time and creativity to communal projects that bring children and families together and build a more resilient city. The prize provides them with the financial ability to expand their volunteer initiatives so they can reach more people and multiply their impact. Each project reflects an understanding of what communities need today and a desire to create real opportunity for those who live in them. These youth are not waiting for adulthood to lead; they are shaping the city now.
This year’s recipients represent the diversity and energy of Jerusalem’s youth landscape. The Oz tribe of the Scouts Movement in the Gilo neighborhood created an accessible summer camp that provided new experiences for local children and strengthened bonds across the community. The music education initiative of the Tarbut Movement in the Katamonim neighborhood offered children the chance to learn and grow through music with the guidance of dedicated teen mentors. The girls branch of the Ariel Youth Movement in the Ramot and Homat Shmuel neighborhoods built meaningful intergenerational connections through volunteer programs with seniors, creating a sense of belonging for both teens and older adults.
Together, these young leaders are shaping a brighter future for Jerusalem and showing how meaningful change begins with empathy, creativity, and the leadership of youth.