Meet our 2017 Exemplars

At the end of each academic year, UD Hillel honors a group of students who have shown a tremendous amount of dedication, spirit, and passion for the Jewish community on campus. Learn more about them here.

Michelle Schwartz, Pioneer Award Class of 2017 Hometown: Livingston, NJ Major: Human Services Favorite Hillel memory: Teaching my first yoga class at Hillel! Campus Activities: Alpha Xi Delta, UD Running Club, UD Lab preschool Fun Fact: Will be starting graduate school in the fall at Rutgers School of Social Work

Jonah Vessery, Barry Kayne Mensch Award Class of 2019 Hometown: Damariscotta, Maine Major: International Relations Favorite Hillel memory: Building the Sukkah Campus Activities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Chabad Fun fact: Spent over a year and a half of his life traveling abroad

Heather Branspiegel, B'reishit Emerging Leader Award Class of 2020 Hometown: East Windsor, NJ Major: Chemistry Favorite Hillel Memory: Walking into Hillel during Freshfest and seeing all the staff and upperclassman so excited to greet me! Campus Activities: Hillel, Canine Companions for Independence, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Fun Fact: Has never gone to school in the state she lives in

Falyn Salner, Hineni (Here I Am) Award Class of 2019 Hometown: Marlboro, NJ Major: Marketing with International Business minor Favorite Hillel memory: Getting to put on a Tie Dye & Pizza event with the marketing team Campus Activities: Pi Beta Phi Fun Fact: Obsessed with dogs

Annie Gawroniak, Ruach (Spirit) Award Class of 2019 Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ Major: Public Policy, Political Communication Minor Favorite Hillel memory: Going on Birthright Campus Activities: Gamma Sigma Sigma Fun Fact: Once had a pet rat