Hillel named seven outstanding lay leaders as 2004 Exemplars of Excellence. The award recognizes individuals whose work for Hillel sets a standard for others to emulate.

"The partnership of Hillel students, lay leaders and professionals creates a synergy that energizes Jewish campus life," said Hillel President Avraham Infeld. "Through their leadership, these exemplars have demonstrated a profound commitment to Jewish students."

The 2004 Exemplars of Excellence are:

• Judy Novenstein, Potomac, MD, Hillel of Greater Washington past president and chairperson, Israel on Campus Coalition of Greater Washington.

Since beginning her term as president of Hillel of Greater Washington, Novenstein has worked continuously to further the cause of Israel on campus. In order to help Israel activity on campus, Novenstein established a regional Israel on Campus Coalition and fostered important partnerships with local and national organizations. The ICC of Greater Washington has held two separate conferences, created an ICCGW Web site to continue dialogue in the region, and created an "emergency line of credit" to help students respond immediately to anti-Israel and anti-Jewish problems on campus.

Garson has served on the Cleveland Hillel Foundation Board for eight years, the last three as president. During that time, he has worked to promote Hillel and Jewish Life on Campus throughout the Cleveland Jewish community. Garson managed a grant process that will result in $4.25 million. Garson has also worked to establish an infrastructure where the campuses in Northeast Ohio can work together while still maintaining autonomy.

Polisuk took a large but challenging community and, using all of her willpower, brought a Hillel to Rio de Janeiro. She refused to take no for an answer and has raised money, engaged students and inspired volunteers to allow Rio Hillel to become an active part of the global Hillel community. She has opened a new home for Jewish college students and continues to connect young adults to Judaism.

For several years, Blumberg has been the chairman of Hillels of New York and was instrumental in the recent work to renovate the structure of the Hillels of New York. Blumberg helped strengthen the Hillels at Baruch and Hunter Colleges by creating one multi-campus unit for both schools, and he was a key player in the establishment of the Hillel at Binghamton University. Through times of transition he has provided support and has also built and strengthened relationships between Hillel and the UJA Federation.

Krame became president of the GWU Hillel Board in 2002 and has worked to raise awareness and funds for the Hillel. An attorney and graduate of GW Law school, he reshaped the governance structure of GWU Hillel, brought stability to the organization and attracted many new members.

Despite the relative remoteness of this Hillel, Fertig helped University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Hillel gain statewide representation among donors. Support from alumni, parents and community members have grown during his time at the Hillel. Fertig has worked from his home in Chicago with the Chicago Federation's Jewish United Fund to create a real working relationship between the UIUC Hillel and JUF.

Mandel has worked tirelessly to enhance Jewish life on campuses in the Los Angeles region, a region that once was a small, fledgling organization and now is a preeminent international entity. Mandel has also served on Hillel's International Board of Directors for many years. She chaired the International Lay Leadership Conference and served as a vice chair of the Board.