The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Honors Kentucky Educator and Six Greater Cincinnati Students with 2026 Kurtz and Lazarus Awards
CINCINNATI, OH – The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center recognized educators and young leaders on October 14, 2026, at the 2026 Impact Reception at Union Terminal. Jason Davidson, an English Language Arts teacher at Russell County Middle School in Kentucky, received the Lilly & Mark Kurtz Educator Award. Six Greater Cincinnati students received the Simon Lazarus Jr. Human Relations Awards, presented for the first time this year with HHC leading the program in partnership with American Jewish Committee (AJC) Cincinnati.
“Together, the Kurtz and Lazarus awards reflect the two pillars of our mission: educating future generations about the Holocaust and inspiring people to put its lessons into action by being upstanders in their communities,” said Lauren Karas, Chief Learning Officer at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center.
Lilly & Mark Kurtz Educator Award
Jason Davidson, an English Language Arts teacher at Russell County Middle School in Kentucky, received the Lilly & Mark Kurtz Educator Award.
The Kurtz Award honors teachers committed to Holocaust education who ensure its lessons inspire action today. It is named for Lilly Kurtz, who walked through Cincinnati’s Union Terminal at age four with her survivor family and went on to become an educator herself.
“Lilly’s personal history and her lifelong commitment to teaching are at the heart of this award,” said Lauren Karas. “This year’s recipient embodies that mission.”
Davidson has spent 23 years in education, including the last 15 teaching English Language Arts at Russell County Middle School, where Holocaust education has become a cornerstone of his teaching. As a Roma & Sam Kaltman Teacher Fellow at HHC, he learned directly from local Holocaust survivors and leading experts and brought those experiences back to his students in Kentucky.
His work extends beyond the classroom. Through the University of Kentucky–Jewish Heritage Fund Holocaust Education Initiative, Davidson connected with Parker Friedman, a teen and 2025 Cohen Family Upstander Award Gala winner who created Historical Reality, a VR-based Holocaust education program. Davidson now directs that program across Kentucky.
“Teaching the Holocaust is not simply a component of my curriculum; it is a cornerstone of my educational mission,” Davidson said. “It is an opportunity to instill empathy, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility in the next generation.”
Lilly Kurtz presented the award to Davidson.
Simon Lazarus Jr. Human Relations Awards
Saint Ursula Academy senior Maya Chandler leads with empathy, making sure everyone around her feels included and valued.
Now in their 61st year, the Lazarus Awards honor high school juniors and seniors across Greater Cincinnati who show exceptional leadership, compassion, and service, and a deep commitment to strengthening human relations in their schools and communities. The awards carry the legacy of Simon Lazarus Jr., a Cincinnati civic leader, former AJC Cincinnati president, and civil rights champion who dedicated his life to advancing interreligious and interracial understanding.
Beginning in 2026, AJC Cincinnati is partnering as HHC takes the lead in carrying the awards forward.
“For decades, AJC has built a legacy of recognizing young leaders across our region, and we’re grateful to HHC for carrying it forward,” said Justin Kirschner, Regional Director of AJC Cincinnati. “Together, we’ll continue to celebrate students who exemplify humanity, civic responsibility, and moral courage.”
Junior honorees
Reese O’Leary, a certified Pet Partners therapy volunteer, Reese visits hospice patients with her dog, Radley. She serves as an appointed student representative to Wyoming City Council and co-founded Cloud Catchers, a stormwater initiative that earned second place in Ohio’s Caring for Our Watersheds competition.
Maya Chandler, now a senior at Saint Ursula Academy. Maya is recognized for putting others first and making sure everyone in her community feels included and heard.
Minna Vens, a senior at Cincinnati Country Day School. Through Breakthrough Cincinnati and her school’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council, Minna promotes inclusivity, understanding, and equity in her school and across Cincinnati.
Senior honorees
Sahana Srikanth, a 2026 graduate of William Mason High School, now studying Industrial and Labor Relations on the pre-law track at Cornell University. As Executive Director of the Young Learners Foundation, she promotes youth literacy through free book donations, workshops, and community events.
Donovan Macario-Avila, now studying Political Science with a concentration in Global Politics and International Affairs at the University of Louisville. Donovan has worked through community partnerships to expand access and support for people facing systemic barriers.
Kate Weiskopf, a 2026 graduate of Wyoming High School, now a first-year student at the College of William & Mary studying International Relations and Philosophy. Kate founded Rank the Vote Ohio’s Youth Ambassador Program, took part in Model UN, and was a leader in HHC’s Teen Upstander Coalition.
About the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission.
For more information, visit www.holocaustandhumanity.org.
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