Hillel named seven outstanding lay leaders as 2003 Exemplars of Excellence at the Hillel International Lay Leadership Conference in New York, NY. The award recognizes individuals whose work for Hillel sets a standard for others to emulate.

"These leaders have made a profound impact on Hillel and the Jewish campus community," said Hillel's President and International Director Richard M. Joel. "Their commitment and dedication to Hillel is what makes our dream of a Jewish renaissance into a reality."

The 2003 Exemplars of Excellence are:

• Hillel International Board of Governors member and member of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life Board of Directors Lynne B Harrison of Metrowest, NJ.

Harrison started her involvement with Hillel three years ago. She has taken local and international leadership roles in Hillel and has made a significant investment in strengthening the staff of Hillel's Schusterman International Center. Harrison co-funds the Hillel Pardes Summer Learning Institute which gives Hillel professionals the opportunity for personal development while studying in Israel.

Elsztain is the founding president of Hillel Argentina. Through this role, the businessman and Jewish communal leader was directly involved with and often spearheaded such tasks as fundraising, developing a lay board of directors, as well as acquiring and renovating the new Hillel center. Elsztain also founded birthright israel in Argentina and is the first South American to join Hillel's International Board of Governors.

Stoller is a staunch advocate for public policy and social justice work. She is an active member of Hillel's Former Soviet Union Committee, the Campus Israel Affairs committee and the Weinberg Tzedek Hillel Committee. She also assisted with the Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer B'nai B'rith Hillel Forum on Public Policy, an international conference for students interested in social justice and advocacy, where she helped recruit the support of other lay leaders.

Sandler has helped guide Hillel's finances during a period of unprecedented growth. Sandler is an active member of Hillel's executive committee and serves on the Budget and Finance Committee. He is also involved with Hillel on the local level, and has assisted with the reorganization of the Hillels of New York, serving on the board and management committee. Sandler also works to support Jewish life throughout his community as a leader in his synagogue.

Colton and Cope received the award jointly for their combined efforts to create Hillel at the University of Vermont. Under their leadership, a group that started as a Hillel student organization now has two full-time Hillel employees. They have also been key players in ensuring the continuing success and growth of this Hillel. Cope has been instrumental in developing the Hillel board, especially assisting with fundraising. Colton has provided extraordinary leadership to the Hillel during a period of need.

Cotler was recognized for her leadership in guiding local Hillels through a series of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic campus incidents. In addition to speaking out for Jewish students at Concordia University, McGill and other Montreal campuses, she has created programs in which students can become involved, such as Project Moses, an international project to memorialize the victims of the terrorist bombing at Hebrew University.