This year, once again, Towson University Hillel and the rest of the world experienced a time like no other. In spite of Corona 19 and its challenges, our extraordinary staff exhibited heretofore unknown talents to embrace the new realty by creating and implementing cutting edge virtual programs and services. Students appreciated every effort we made to build on relationships made on campus in our newly hatched online world. Our Cohort learning was at an all-time high, participants choosing between Jewish Learning Fellowships, Israel Learning Fellowships (launched for the first time ever, virtually nonetheless) and Jewish Learning Fellowship 2.0 offering a deep dive for our students continuing with their Jewish identity and exploration. Our focus on deep relationship building and engagement resulted in an all-time high engagement rate this year—in a virtual world! This year Towson University Hillel was recognized in three very notable ways. We were applauded for our Homing Shabbat Innovator program with the Joseph Meyerhoff Award for Jewish Education Vision at the Hillel International Global Assembly in December, 2021. This Spring, Lisa Bodziner received the Neely Tal Snyder Community Impact Award honoring the work she has done since her time in Baltimore, building community and innovative ways to engage families, students and alumni. Adam Baumwald was the recipient of the annual Associated Harry Greenstein Award which honors exceptional lay leadership and commitment to the Baltimore Jewish community. While obviously more challenging than we could have ever imagined, the year also brought inspiration, recognition and joy for our students, staff, alumni, board, community leaders and stakeholders. Come this Fall, we are prepared—and excited—to personally welcome our incoming freshmen and their parents, celebrate our seniors, and continue to cultivate relationships with all of our students, stakeholders, partners, parents and leaders.
Most sincerely,
Adam Baumwald, Board Chair
Lisa Bodziner, Executive Director
