University of Miami Hillel Director Melina Gimal joined UM President Donna Shalala on a recent high-level university mission to Argentina and Brazil to build alumni relations, sign agreements with local universities and to create new communities of friends for the University of Miami.

University of Miami President Donna Shalala with Hillel students and UM delegates in Buenos Aires.

Shalala, Gimal and other university administrators visited the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) building in on June 26. AMIA is the capital city's Jewish Community Center. In 1994, the building was destroyed and 85 people were killed in a terrorist attack. The new AMIA was erected in the exact same location in 1999.

While visiting, the UM delegation was treated to a dinner hosted by Hillel International Board of Governors Member Eduardo Elsztain and Hillel of Latin America Director Gaby Trajtenberg. Student members of the Argentina Hillel Business Club used the opportunity to connect with Shalala, Gimal and deans Barbara Kahn and Isaac Prilleltensky.

"The UM delegation saw a vibrant Hillel," says Gimal, a native of Argentina. "I have no doubt it inspired them to continue helping us in making UM Hillel the relevant and meaningful organization we want to be."