As an undergraduate, Seth Katz wasn’t involved with Hillel.

It wasn’t until he entered graduate school at the University of Chicago that he found a place within the campus Jewish organization’s Conservative minyan and Friday night dinner co-op.

“I got my Judaism at graduate school, even though I was raised Jewish growing up,” said Katz, an associate professor of English at Bradley University. “For me, Hillel was a transformative experience. I learned that Judaism wasn’t something you merely believe, but something you do.”

Katz was so inspired by Hillel that he volunteered to serve as Bradley Hillel’s executive director 20 years ago in hopes of inspiring young adults to find their place in the Jewish community.

“Judaism has this power, and we don’t do an adequate job of showing young people the power of community,” Katz said. “I’m a teacher, and part of my mission in serving my students became facilitating in creating their sense of Jewish community and their capacity as Jewish leaders.”

While Katz isn’t paid for his time, he finds the job rewarding in other ways.

“[My favorite part] is when students get excited about things and find their passions,” Katz said. “Seeing students, watching them grow, watching them get excited and amped up about something they never knew about or thought about, and watching the transformation a Birthright trip can have on a student-that’s what keeps me doing it.”

Katz’ “kindness, leadership abilities, and knowledge” set him apart, according to Yona Lunken, a Bradley Hillel board member.

“Seth has served the community with his heart and his soul,” Lunken said. “He has guided the organization, put together the board, and he and I have been working together over the last eight years to take the Bradley Hillel to the next level.”

Bradley Hillel will continue to grow this fall, when Matt Lorch assumes the role of director of Student Life. Lorch, currently the assistant director at the University of Oklahoma’s Hillel, will be Bradley Hillel’s first full-time, paid employee.

“I was looking to push myself out of my comfort zone and find new opportunities to grow, and Bradley offers all of that,” Lorch said. “I’m looking forward to everything, like meeting a new group of students with different Jewish identities and I’m excited to see how I can be a part of that.”

Katz is looking forward to working with Lorch as the Hillel continues to explore opportunities for growth.

“I’m not done yet-I’m looking forward to handing some things over to Matt and letting him do things his way and recreate the organization based on his experience and wisdom,” Katz said. “I’m excited to see what he’s going to do.”