Former Metro Chicago Hillel Executive Director Marla Baker was honoredat the home of Amy and John Lowenstein for her 34 years of devotion to Jewish student life on campus at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and across the Chicago area.

Baker, who recently retired, was instrumental in the development and success of Hillel programs in Illinois, from her work establishing the Lewis Summer Intern Program over 25 years ago to her guidance in creating the Metro Chicago Hillel system in the last two years. She was a pioneer as one of only few female Hillel Directors early in her career, changing the status quo that allowed women in Hillel to be the norm.

After John Lowenstein, executive director of the Hillels of Illinois, welcomed everyone, Frances H. Krasnow, chair of the Hillels of Illinois Governing Commission, along with Marla’s colleagues, lay leaders, and former students, offered Baker their heartfelt thanks. Her work at UIC was recounted and applauded by UIC administrator and emcee for the evening, Roberta Bernstein.

Board member Robert W. Matanky spoke about Baker’s contribution to the future of our Jewish community and read a letter from his daughter Katie Matanky, a former student of Marla’s, who now lives in Israel.

“Marla was there for me during my college career and she’s been there for me since,” she writes. “If I am any indication, and I am just one student of one graduating class of 34 years at Hillel, Marla has had quite an impact. A powerful resource and an inspiration, Marla has touched hundreds, probably thousands of students; her impact extends far beyond the limit of 34 years, it extends exponentially and generationally as we (the impacted) spread what she’s taught us.”

After other students and colleagues spoke about the impact that Marla and Hillel had on their lives, Baker said this: “Working in a field that engaged my full self so deeply, so completely, has been a rare privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in the lives and development of so many young people-students and young professionals-and to watch their lives continue to unfold over time. I’ve witnessed their struggles and triumphs, celebrated their professional successes and marriages, and kvelled over the new generation of lovely Jewish children they are raising. And I’ve watched with pride as they have taken on leadership positions within the Jewish community, including Hillel. I continue to be grateful for these blessings every day.”

This event was also an opportunity to introduce Rabbi Seth Winberg, the new executive director of Metro Chicago, to the Hillel community and to have him outline his plans for the future of Metro Chicago. He began his new position in June after a smooth transition and with great excitement. He previously served as assistant director of the Hillel at the University of Michigan. And so the proud Hillel tradition continues, evolving and growing with each new generation of students.

Metro Chicago Hillel is part of the department of Campus Affairs and Student Engagement at Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago/Jewish United Fund and a partner of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.