Meeting at Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga., for the first time, Hillel's Renaissance Institute attracted lay leaders from across the South and beyond. Co-chaired by Kathy Manning and Carol Wise, the three-day conference featured special presentations by students and prominent educators who explored the challenges and opportunities of Jewish life on campus. The event ran parallel to Hillel's Charles Schusterman International Student Leaders Assembly and allowed plenty of interaction with students.

Renaissance Institute participants wore multiple hats. Emory Professor Deborah Lipstadt and Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Susan Turnbull participated in the Renaissance Institute and served as faculty for the Schusterman conference. Mayer and Abe Mitchell not only joined the conference, but also served as hosts: their philanthropy helped create Camp Ramah Darom. The family of Hillel Board of Directors Chairman Randall Kaplan, a Renaissance Institute participant, also helped build the camp. Hillel International Board of Governors Co-Chair Lynn Schusterman named the student conference in memory of her late husband and continues to support it.

The Renaissance Institute was joined by the Atlanta Bat Mitzvah group for a day. The group comprises women who are preparing to celebrate their bat mitzvah as adults. They participated in a Jewish learning session with Hillel President Avraham Infeld at the conference.

For information on the 2006 Renaissance Institute and other lay leadership opportunities, contact Director of Lay Leadership Development Nurite Notarius-Rosin at nrosin@hillel.org or 202-449-6576.

The Renaissance Institute participants were: Debbie Cirulnick*, Robert Cirulnick*, Phil Cohen, Debbie Dermer*, Lisa Eisen, Jody Franco, Lynn Halpern*, Jay Kaiman, Kathy Manning and Randall Kaplan, Lois Kuniansky*, Deborah Lipstadt, Abe Mitchell, Mayer Mitchell, Neil and Karen Moss, Stephen Oppenheimer, Julie Wise Oreck, Peggy Roth*, Lynn Schusterman, Cathy Selig*, Linda Selig*, Betty Sunshine*, Barry Swartz*, Susan Turnbull, Sharon Ungerleider, Donna Weinstock*, Mike Wien, and Carol Wise.

*Member of the Atlanta Bat Mitzvah Group