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Donna Schwartz has been the Executive Director at the University of Delaware’s Kristol Center for Jewish Life since 2014. Donna values the opportunity to engage students at the Kristol Center, getting to know them as well as guiding and inspiring them as they explore their own Jewish journeys. She has a great passion and affinity for creating community for Jewish students and for bringing Hillel to the table as a partner both on campus and in the community. 

 

Donna’s enthusiasm for the importance of the Jewish community for UD students means she also loves inspiring donors with the stories of students and explaining how donors’ financial support gives every Jewish student the opportunity to connect with other Jewish students and to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. In 2020, Donna’s outstanding work was recognized when she was awarded Hillel International’s Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award.

 

Throughout her career, Donna has been intentional about working with Jewish organizations, using her skills as a businesswoman and speaker to invest in the community she is passionate about. She has trained both staff and lay leaders at various Jewish organizations including UJA Federation, JCC Association, Hillel, BBYO, The Darrell Friedman Institute, and ORT America. Donna has facilitated workshops on varied topics including time management, communication, committee responsibilities, and team building. She has also co-authored two books, “The Little Book of Big Ideas for Jewish Professionals” and “The Little Book of Big Ideas for Jewish Volunteers.” Donna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida and a Master’s degree in Social Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. 

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Donna loves to travel. She originally hails from Boca Raton, FL, and still gets to the ocean as often as possible through cruising.