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Joel Begins a New Journey
April 09, 2003Comments (0) | Add | E-mail this to a friend  Hillel President and International Director Richard M. Joel bade a tearful farewell to 700 Hillel students, professionals and lay leaders from around the world on Sunday night, April 6, during an evening that celebrated the Jewish Renaissance he helped provoke and guide.
"Hillel represents so much of the best within us. I leave it in your hands. I leave it in your hearts. Guide it well. I know you will," Joel said.
During his 15-year tenure with Hillel, the longest of any Hillel international director, Joel has helped the organization achieve independence and extraordinary growth. The annual budget increased from $14 million to $52 million and the organization opened 26 new facilities to serve students, among other achievements.
Located in the heart of New York's theater district, the event had a Broadway theme, with a theatrical production honoring Hillel and a surprise performance by Man of La Mancha cast member Bradley Dean who serenaded Joel with the song "The Impossible Dream." Joel framed his remarks to reflect the setting: "In the great traditions of Broadway, we as a people are blessed to pursue our impossible dreams. We yearn for Camelot. We aspire to nobility like Jean Valjean. We even think of what we might do if 'I were a rich man.' Ultimately, like the best of the theater, Hillel has defied cynicism and pointed to hope and truth -- to kedusha (nobility)."
Hillel International Board of Governors Chairman Edgar M. Bronfman praised Richard's tenure at Hillel saying, "The highest accolade one can be paid in Jewish life is 'Not bad.' Well, Richard, 'Not bad.'" Bronfman thanked Joel for introducing tens of thousands of Jewish young people around the world to "Jewish joy."
"Richard, I admire you. I esteem you. But most of all, I love you," Bronfman concluded.
International Board of Governors Co-Chair Lynn Schusterman added that Joel's "energy, creativity and Jewish joy infused the organization and all it serves.… I am privileged and proud to have been one of your partners."
International Board of Governors Co-Chair Michael Steinhardt delivered satirical remarks, roasting Joel for his commitment to pluralism, ideological openness and to clal yisrael, the peoplehood of Israel.
Neil Moss, Hillel International Board of Directors chairman, called Joel "a Jewish leader par excellence," adding, "I am grateful for the impact you have had on my life, for enriching it and for the honor of working beside you."
Students from the Columbia University Klezmer Band and New York University's Ani V'Ata a cappella group entertained during the evening. More than 100 students and Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps Fellows also participated in the event. Among the guests were leaders of the world Jewish community, including Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein.
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