H illel at the University of Michigan kicks off the fall semester with a national search for a new executive director following the announcement in July that Tilly Shemer, who had held the post for the 15 years, had accepted a new position as senior vice pres- ident of Wellspring at the Shalom Hartman Institute North America. In a statement released to the JN, Hillel Board President Abbey Frank said that during this interim period, the Michigan Hillel calendar is full with religious, social and educational programs and resources for new and returning students. She wrote: “ As we search for a new director, Hillel at the University of Michigan is backed by the commitment of its board members, who are a diverse group in terms of Jewish reli- gious expression, age, geogra- phy and skills. For guidance in the search and selection process of a new director, we are speaking with chairs of other large Hillel chapters around the country that have recently conducted executive director searches. ” She added: “In the inter- im, we have a deep bench of current professionals and lay leaders, and there will be no disruption in services, programs, meals and religious services. ” Frank, of Rockville, Maryland, graduated from Michigan in 1993 and received her MSW and MPA from Columbia University. She and her husband, Rabbi Marc Israel, originally from Birmingham, Mich., and who graduated from Michigan in 1992, have three children. Her oldest graduated from the university last spring. New in her position as board pres- ident, this is Frank’s third year on the Hillel board. Frank wrote that some Longtime Executive Director Tilly Shemer’s departure leaves an opening at University of Michigan Hillel. Search Launched Abbey Frank 46 | AUGUST 17 • 2023 Stacy Gittleman } Contributing Writer Tilly Shemer for college students by college students