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Dear Hannah,
I am delighted to announce that the board of directors of Hillel at the Claremont Colleges has appointed Dr. Bethany Slater to serve as our inaugural executive director. This appointment marks a historic moment for our organization as it represents the first time that the role of Hillel director has been distinct from the Colleges' Jewish Chaplaincy. Previously, the Hillel director and Jewish chaplain were one single position, and with this new model, they now exist as distinct entities, each with their own specific focus and responsibilities.
The decision to establish an independent executive director position signifies a major step forward in the development of a more robust and thriving Hillel organization serving the 700+ Jewish students at the Claremont Colleges. This move allows Hillel to further enhance its mission of fostering a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive Jewish community that promotes learning, service, and student leadership opportunities.
Pomona College alumnus and trustee, Steve Loeb, played a pivotal role in this transformative change by leading a group of investors committed to providing nearly $500,000 in seed funding for the launch of this new model of Hillel at The Claremont Colleges. Thanks to their support, Hillel can now embark on a journey of growth and expansion over the next several years.
Dr. Slater arrives in Claremont with extensive experience in nonprofit management, leadership training, human-centered design, community building, and interfaith and religious education. Most recently, she served as a visiting professor of religion at Denison University where she taught courses on Judaism, romantic love, and spiritual autobiographies of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Dr. Slater, who will officially start in this new role on August 15, shared:
“As an educator, I’m so excited to bring my background in religious life to Hillel at the Claremont Colleges, and support the Jewish lives of the diverse students we serve. Engaging programming inspires a love for Judaism, and I am eager to get started and work to make a difference in the lives of Jewish students at the 7-Cs.”
I want to especially thank Hillel board member and Pitzer College alumna and board life trustee Deborah Kallick, who served as the search committee chair. Deborah reflected on the committee's selection:
“Dr. Slater’s expertise as an academic and nonprofit manager made her a perfect fit for the mission and values Hillel strives for. We are excited to see the impact she makes in leading the continued growth of our vibrant campus community.”
We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Slater to the Claremont community. Our Hillel plays a vital role in nurturing the identity and social connections of the students we serve, and I have no doubt that work will continue to flourish under her leadership.
Students will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Slater on campus at the beginning of the fall term. She will work in close partnership with the new Interim Jewish Chaplain at the Claremont Colleges to develop programs that meet the needs of our diverse Jewish campus community.
As we undergo this transition to a Hillel independent from - but in close collaboration with - the Jewish chaplain, you may experience some initial disorientation. (For example, Hillel's website will need to be refreshed.) We appreciate your patience as we work through some of these early challenges related to this significant organizational transformation.
If you would like to learn more about how you can play a lead role in this transformation, whether as a student leader on campus or as a philanthropist in the broader community, I invite you to connect with Dr. Slater in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for an introductory email from her.
Until then, I look forward to this new year of growth for our Jewish community at the Claremont Colleges.
Sincerely,
Gary Kates
President, Board of Directors
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