Hillel International Honors Exceptional Campus Hillels and Professional Staff at 2024 Global Assembly
World’s largest Jewish college organization convened campus leaders in Boston from Dec. 9-12 for 2024 Global Assembly; recognized extraordinary leadership efforts
BOSTON, MA- Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, honored campus Hillels and professionals for their leadership, innovation and commitment to Jewish student life in Boston this week. The awards were presented during the 2024 Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA), which brings together more than 1,200 professionals, supporters, sponsors, and students from across the world for a three-day annual conference centered on growth and leadership.
“We are so inspired by the campus Hillels and professionals who are dedicated to building vibrant, welcoming communities for Jewish students at a time when they need it most,” said Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. “I could not be more proud to recognize how these award-winning Hillel professionals have come together to share ideas and learn from each other, to ensure that every Jewish student can celebrate and participate in Jewish life.”
Honored in front of their colleagues and supporters in the global Hillel movement, the awardees were selected for their leadership and impact in advancing Hillel’s mission to enrich the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.
The awards and honorees included:
Individual Awards
The Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award recognizes Hillel colleagues whose remarkable passion and outstanding devotion to the Jewish campus community sets a standard for all to emulate.
- Rabbi Nicole Berne – Associate Director, Metro Chicago Hillel
- Lauren Bloom – Associate Director, Tufts University Hillel Foundation
- Susanna (Susu) Cohen – Chief Development Officer, Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell
- Uri Cohen – Executive Director, Yale Hillel (Slifka Center)
- Rabbi Elana Friedman – Campus Rabbi & Jewish Chaplain, Jewish Life at Duke
- Matt Lorch – Executive Director, Bradley University Hillel
- Rabbi Jessica Lott – Campus Rabbi, Northwestern Hillel
- Amee Sherer – Executive Director, University of Washington Hillel
The Rising Star Award recognizes early-career professionals who have worked at Hillel for at least one full year and have significantly impacted Jewish campus life in just a short amount of time.
- Julian Albright – Student Engagement Director, Indiana University Hillel
- Brian Burke – IACT Director of Israel and Jewish Experiences, Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh
- Khiya Connolly-Sisk – Jewish Student Life Coordinator, Ithaca College Hillel
- Jenna Hasher – Assistant Director of Development, University of Florida Hillel
- Casey Kelly – Springboard Innovation Fellow, Queens College Hillel
- Lielle Ziv – NYU Hillel Bronfman Center
Campus Awards
Innovation
- Florida Hillels, “Florida Hillels’ Poland Experience”
- Northeastern University Hillel, “London Shabbaton”
- Dynamic Jewish Education: Yale Hillel (Slifka Center), “Tradition and Change: Exploring, Confronting, and Celebrating Gender in Judaism”
- Eleanor Meyerhoff Katz Innovation: NYU Hillel Bronfman Center, “Jewish Athlete Alliance (JAA)”
Excellence
- Metro Chicago Hillel, “Interviewing and Onboarding Systems”
- Northwestern Hillel, “Senior Series”
- Syracuse University Hillel, “FreshFest”
- Great Place to Work: Hillel 818
- Philip H. and Susan Rudd Cohen Outstanding Campus Award
- Small Campus – Franklin and Marshall Hillel
- Large Campus – Hillel of San Diego
The 2024 Award
The 2024 Award recognizes an initiative, program, or effort on campus that has responded to a timely need for the community. The awardee is selected through a popular vote.
- Ohio State University Hillel, “Restorative Justice Sessions”