Rabbi Melissa B. Simon wins International Exemplar of Excellence Award

Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, recognized our own Rabbi Melissa B. Simon, NC Hillel’s Senior Jewish Educator, with their international Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence for her outstanding work creating innovative programming and strengthening our Jewish community.

Given to only seven other Hillel professionals this year, the award honors professionals in various stages of their careers whose remarkable passion and outstanding devotion to the Jewish campus community enrich the lives of Hillel students, ensure that the organization reflects a culture of excellence, and set a standard for all Hillel professionals to emulate.

Hillel International’s CEO, Adam Lehman, presented the award to Rabbi Melissa during a tour of North Carolina college campuses. He said, “Rabbi Melissa Simon represents Hillel at its best: uplifting and inspiring students, and building a thriving Jewish student community…Rabbi Melissa goes above and beyond in bettering the lives of Jewish students.” That sentiment was clearly evident during the ceremony, when one of our student leaders cried tears of pride watching as her mentor was recognized for her years of service.

“I really love my work at NC Hillel because of the opportunity to see students grow, and to feel like they’ve made this profound connection with being Jewish. My work involves getting to know students, hearing about where they are in their lives, and supporting them, not just in Jewish rituals, or holidays, but also in the life of a college student, and where that’s hard and where that’s easy and where that’s exciting. My goal is to help give students the tools to empower them on their Jewish journeys.” - Rabbi Melissa B. Simon

Whether meeting students one-on-one on campus or leading services at Hillel, Rabbi Melissa has had an immense, lasting impact on hundreds of UNC students over the past four years.

"At Hillel, I met my mentors and friends. I found my family. I could rely on Rabbi Melissa for anything — whether it was life advice or a shoulder to cry on. Hillel became the Jewish home I didn’t know I needed." - Lauren G., UNC '20

“UNC Hillel has been an invaluable support system since my dad passed away from COVID. Rabbi Melissa really became a shoulder to lean on. She created a yizkor group so I could get together virtually and mourn with other students. Even for less involved students like me, Hillel cares.” - Ariel N., UNC '21

"The relationship I have with Rabbi Melissa is what made me decide to participate in Hillel’s Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF). JLF helped me see things in different ways and allowed me to consider questions through a Jewish lens. This experience furthered the kind of relationship I want to have with Judaism.” - Elijah S., UNC '22

Mazel tov to Rabbi Melissa on this monumental recognition!