Donor Stories

Raised in Charleston, South Carolina, by Orthodox Jewish parents, Jewish identity and community were always central to Sokol Greenberg’s life. She met Myers’ father, Stanley Feinberg, at the University of Georgia , and they were married in 1956. While Greenberg herself didn’t finish her degree in education, she raised her three children with an understanding of the ways education can open doors, create connections, and shift the course of someone’s life.

“Education was always an important part of her,” Myers said. “In our house, it was never a question of whether we would go to college, just where. And she instilled that in us, and instilled it in her grandchildren, that education is important. You can have so much other stuff in life, but you need to be educated.”

Myers and her siblings, Neal and Lee Feinberg, grew up in an observant Jewish home in Charleston, close to their grandparents – a support system that became essential to their family when their father passed away suddenly at the age of 33. Greenberg’s parents, brother, and sister made sure that she and her children had everything they needed. That support, Myers said, gave Greenberg the ability to give back to others, volunteering and supporting causes she believed in. She was especially dedicated to Hadassah, one of the oldest Jewish women’s organizations in the United States.

“She was big on helping others,” Myers said. “Helping people, and making sure they can achieve what they want.”

Greenberg’s commitment to her values served as a foundation for Myers’ own time in college and throughout her career. She entered The George Washington University intending to study medicine, but changed course early in her first year. “I got the first D’s I ever had in my life and said, you know, I don’t think this is for me,” Myers recalled with a laugh.

Myers switched her major to marketing, which started her on the path to a lifelong career in advertising. She spent five years working in New York City, and then relocated to Baltimore and DC. She met her husband, Geff during this time and then moved to Orlando, Florida, and Myers spent 25 years working for Disney – playing a role in many marketing campaigns the corporation launched for more than two decades.

Like her mother, Myers worked hard to instill a connection to Jewish community in her children. As a young adult, her older son, Ian, became involved in Hillel at Elon University. That involvement changed his life, and he decided to become a Jewish professional. Today, he works for the Jewish Federation, and remains connected with the alumni committee at Elon Hillel.

“I think Hillel gives [young people] that foundation,” Myers said. “And I saw, from my son, how much enrichment he got from that Hillel experience.”

When Greenberg passed away in 2022, leaving a trust for her children, Myers and her brothers were determined to create a lasting legacy that honored their mother’s deep dedication to education and Jewish community. That’s when Myers and her brothers turned to Hillel International. The ease of working with the Hillel International team and the significant impact made possible through Hillel’s global network convinced Myers and Feinbergs that this was the right way to honor their mother’s memory

Their investment, made through a donor-advised fund, ultimately became the Sonia Sokol Greenberg Scholarship Fund, an endowment that will support tuition for Jewish students. The scholarship reflects the values Greenberg lived by: kindness, connection, and a belief in learning. The scholarship recipients, who will be known as Greenberg Scholars, will carry those same qualities forward.

“As a Jewish parent, or even a grandparent, we need to spread the word of the importance of Jewish identity,” Myers said when asked what she might tell others who are considering making a gift to Hillel International to support future generations. “We’re trying to continue our legacy.”

The Sonia Sokol Greenberg Scholarship Fund will be a pathway to community, education, and the incredible opportunities Hillel offers on college campuses around the country. Learn more about Hillel International scholarships and the ways Hillel supports current and prospective college students today.

One example is the Sandy and Jack Cohen Endowed Scholarship, established this year in loving memory of Sandy and Jack Cohen by their children, Paul and Deb Cohen, to honor their unwavering commitment to learning. 

“Our parents both challenged us to learn and be the best we could, in high school and  going through college,” Paul told Hillel International.

Both first-generation Americans born to Eastern European immigrants, neither Sandy nor Jack attended college themselves, but that didn’t stop them from pursuing learning and growth outside of the traditional school systems. Jack became president of a publicly traded company with only a high school education, and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Sandy was exceptionally well-read, a trait she shared with her mother, Paul and Deb’s grandmother, who lived with them when they were young.

“My grandmother had a fourth-grade education, but you’d never know it from talking to her,” Deb recalled. “She was extremely bright, extremely well-read. So collectively, they inspired us to always keep learning.”

Following their parents’ love of knowledge and learning, both Paul and Deb continued their education beyond undergraduate degrees. Paul holds a PhD in industrial engineering from Ohio State University and worked as a professor at Penn State University before moving to North Carolina State University, where he served as department head of the industrial and systems engineering department. Deb, who also attended Ohio State University for graduate school, holds a PhD in management and human resources, and has authored several books throughout her career. Like Paul, she brought her knowledge to the next generation of students, teaching at George Washington University and George Mason University. After leaving academia, Deb brought her passion for education and research to a large, international HR management association.

Deciding to continue investing in the future of learning was an easy decision for both of them.

“I knew that I wanted to do something that was personal, and something that I could see the value and benefit of within my lifetime,” Deb explained. 

A professional connection on LinkedIn brought her to Hillel, and soon she was meeting with Charles “Chuck” Miller, Hillel International’s senior director of planned giving. When she brought up the idea of a philanthropic gift to Hillel to Paul, he was immediately on board.

“We don’t fight and we actually like each other, so it was easy to agree on what to do,” Paul joked.

Good humor aside, Paul’s personal connection to Hillel made this approach to philanthropy especially meaningful. “After my dad died, the Hillel connection was particularly important to me,” he said. He was twenty-one and Deb only eighteen when Jack passed away, and Paul had just started his first year of graduate school at Ohio State. “It was an outlet for me both personally and religiously, and the connection I had with Hillel was very meaningful to me and really helped me with a difficult time.”

Working with Chuck, Deb and Paul set up an endowed scholarship — meaning that the initial donation is designed to grow over time and continue to benefit students in years to come. Usually, there’s a waiting period for endowment funds to be available to scholarship recipients, but in partnership with Chuck, the Cohens were able to fund this first year’s recipient with a cash donation.

“I really liked the fact that we were able to provide some additional funds to support someone in the very first year, separate from the endowed scholarship going forward,” Paul said.

“Our intent is to continue to fund the endowment and build it so that in the future there will be more than one scholarship,” Deb added. “We’re still young enough to do that and to continue to enjoy the impact in our lifetime.”

The recipient of the first Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship is Melissa Simplicio, who just began her second year at New York University. Originally from Brazil and now studying computer science and economics, Melissa shared her story with Hillel International earlier this year.

“Becoming a Hillel International Scholarship recipient has opened the door to so many possibilities,” she wrote. “This scholarship allows me to enter my second year with the freedom to prioritize learning, leadership, and professional development without the constant pressure of juggling academics and work. It means I can invest my energy where it matters most.”

That’s exactly what Paul and Deb were hoping their scholarship would accomplish. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact you have on an individual, and to be able to see what they can accomplish because of your support,” Paul said. While acknowledging that a bequest or legacy gift has its own value and impact, Deb shared that for her and Paul, being able to witness the scholarship’s impact during their lifetime was a motivating factor in how they chose to give.

“Doing something while you’re alive lets you see the fruits,” she said. “It lets you see what grows from the seeds you’ve planted.”

Learn more about the Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship and read more stories about incredible Hillel supporters.

“It was a city college, and it was free,” Fuhr recalled. “And if it wasn’t free, I wouldn’t be going to college. There was no way my parents could afford any tuition.”

Today, tuition at Hunter costs thousands of dollars and doesn’t include other expenses like books, housing, or meal plans. And while Hunter is still one of the most affordable public universities in the country, Ellen knows that “most affordable” doesn’t necessarily mean “easy to afford.”

“Even students who receive scholarships are often still working through college,” she said. “I remember one young woman who received my scholarship held a job all through her undergraduate degree and all through medical school. Her father passed away while she was in college and she only had her mother, and she worked so, so hard. And if anyone deserved help, it was her.”

Ellen knows this struggle personally. As a daughter of an immigrant family, Ellen was raised with strong Jewish faith, determination, and resilience. As an undergraduate, Ellen worked tirelessly — juggling her studies, multiple jobs, and the challenges of making ends meet in New York City. Her perseverance paid off, leading to a long, fulfilling career as a teacher at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn.

Ellen never forgot the challenges she faced in college. That’s why, in 2019, she decided it was time to give back. “I wanted to ease the way for other young Jewish women like me,” she said. Her generosity has made a profound impact on Hunter Hillel and its students, helping to address food insecurity, fund scholarships, and support a welcoming community.

“Ellen filled an enormous need,” says Merav Fine Braun, executive director of Hunter Hillel. “She provided a lifeline to so many deserving students.”

With the guidance of her financial advisor, Marc Coopersmith of RBC Wealth Management, Ellen used strategic gifts like qualified charitable distributions from her individual retirement account (IRA) and a donor-advised fund to maximize her impact. Most recently, Ellen partnered with Hillel International to establish a named scholarship ensuring that her legacy of generosity will continue to uplift and empower the next generation.

The Ellen B. Fuhr Scholarship for Jewish Women at Hunter College offers $5,000 per year to Jewish women at Hunter with a proven record of leadership, entrepreneurship, or volunteerism within their campus or local community. In addition to empowering Jewish women to reach their full potential and to support and uplift future leaders, Ellen’s hope is that the scholarship will allow these women to pursue their education with less financial strain and insecurity.

To ensure this scholarship lives on beyond Ellen’s lifetime,, Ellen decided to make her commitment to Hillel part of her estate plan. “I wanted to make sure it was an ongoing project, because I don’t see the need ending,” she said. Ellen named Hillel as a beneficiary of her estate. For Ellen, leaving a legacy is more than passing on valuables; it’s about passing on shared values.

The students who receive this scholarship often remain in touch with Ellen through deeply personal email and video updates. “They’ve been telling me what they’ve been doing since they graduated, and it’s amazing what they’re achieving,” she said. “It makes me proud to think that they’re giving back when they can.”

As Cindy’s life and philanthropy expanded beyond Penn Hillel, she found her way to Hillel at Hunter College — an organization with deep family roots for her. Cindy’s mother was a graduate of Hunter College Class of 1948. A first-generation college student, her mother grew up during the Great Depression and needed to work seven days a week to not only afford her education but also support her father, Cindy’s grandfather.

It was because of her mother’s experiences in college that inspired Cindy to support Hillel at Hunter through a named endowment, renaming it the Rita Levine Rabin Hillel at Hunter College. “I saw the similarity between the current Jewish students at Hunter and my mother,” Cindy shared. “Also first-generation. Needing to work to support themselves and their families. I wish my mother, when she was there, had these advantages. She didn’t, unfortunately, but we can offer it to these generations.”

Hillel at Hunter, which supports students at several New York City-based schools including Hunter College, Marymount Manhattan College, and the Silberman School of Social Work, offers students services like career counseling, food assistance, and mental health support, that help them focus on their education. “What I learned was that Hillel at Hunter also functions as a total social service agency. They really make a difference and help these students,” said Cindy.

Hillel at Hunter also serves as a critical space for Jewish students to express and explore their connection to their Jewish identities, through programming and Jewish education. Cindy understands the importance of having a space dedicated to Jewish students, especially during the challenges faced by Jewish students since October 7th. Reflecting on her mother’s need for that space, Cindy said, “You know how next to your yearbook [photo], it has your clubs next to it? The only club – [and] my mother didn’t have time for clubs, of course, because she was working and going to school – listed next to her name was Hillel. [Seeing that], it really made me feel like I’m paying it back.”

After recently attending a Not Shabbat Shabbat dinner at Hillel at Hunter, a Shabbat-style dinner that Hillel at Hunter holds for commuter students who very often aren’t on campus on Fridays, Cindy was inspired by the sense of community that this diverse group of students displayed. “It’s just wonderful to sit there and talk to the students. [I enjoy listening to them discuss] their hopes and dreams, what they’re trying to do and why they’re there and what they’re getting out of it,” she said. “It’s lovely because it’s really a sense of community. It really felt like a Shabbat dinner, even though it was during the week.”

It’s Hillel at Hunter’s community building, alongside the full spectrum of support they offer Jewish students, that inspires Cindy’s ongoing support. In a full-circle moment, she shared that, “Rabbi Mike Uram, who was head of Penn Hillel for a long time, said that when you go to college, you define what your Jewish identity is. Until that point, it’s your family that defines it, but when you go to college, you get to decide what Judaism means to you, how you want to interact with it, and how you want to be part of the Jewish community.”

Read more about Hillel supporters like Cindy and the impact they have on generations of Jewish college students.

Frequently, higher education students and their families face financial barriers or underestimate these expenses. While many colleges and universities are unable to designate financial assistance specifically for Jewish students, Hillel International helps donors create scholarships from current gifts and estate plans, making college financially possible for many Jewish students. These gifts often create (named) endowment funds, providing scholarship resources in perpetuity. 

Louis E. Rabinowitz (“Louie”), who passed away in December 2023, connected with Hillel campuses in his beloved South Carolina, and had a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Jewish student population. Louie worked closely with Hillel International to create scholarships that would help future generations of Jewish students attend college, seamlessly incorporating them into his estate plan.  His three named endowment funds will support tuition for Jewish students attending The Citadel (Louie’s alma mater), Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Louie grew up proud of his Jewish faith and his small-town roots in Beaufort, South Carolina, where his family contributed to the founding of Beth Israel Synagogue in 1908. Louie proudly clung to his Jewish roots at military school as a teenager, and while achieving distinction at The Citadel and beyond. 

His wife, Sarah Rabinowitz, recalled how her husband often showed his faith on his lapel with a pin of the Israeli and American flags. She said he often ended conversations with the phrase, “You do well,” and had a reputation for being kind-hearted and generous.

That generosity was evident in his desire to help Jewish college students.

“Louie wanted to explore ways to open doors and make college more accessible to Jewish students across South Carolina,” said Charles Miller, JD, AEP®, Hillel International’s senior director of planned giving, who works closely with generous donors like Louie to create scholarship endowments for undergraduate and graduate students.  

During their conversations, Louie shared with Miller the joy of knowing his philanthropic vision would come true, saying his heart was full. “It’s wonderful knowing that the blessings of my lifetime will create dreams come true for aspiring Jewish college students,” Louie said at the time.

Future generations of Louis E. Rabinowitz Scholars will have an opportunity to “do well,” due to the tuition assistance from a Hillel International scholarship.  These scholarships provide the means for students to make a meaningful impact on the future of the Jewish people and the world while they grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually. By creating his legacy gift at Hillel, Louie’s Jewish values will continue l’dor v’dor — from generation to generation.

Learn more about Hillel International’s past and present scholarship recipients here. 

Chuck and Nanci met in 1972 during their freshman year at UC Davis at Hillel. In the spring of 1973 they each decided to attend a Passover seder hosted by their school’s Hillel. For both of them, it was their first seder away from their families. “It was off campus, and I rode my bike there by myself,” Nanci recalled. “I walked into the room, and there was Chuck at a table. There was one seat left, so I sat down.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

After that seder, they became a couple. Chuck was pre-med, studying in the College of Biological Sciences, and Nanci was an English major. Despite their busy schedules, they still made time for romance: the two were married their junior year.

Fast forward to 2022, when the Coopers celebrated their fiftieth Passover together, reflecting on the pivotal role Hillel played in their lives.

“We wanted to do something that would create a legacy for Jewish students at UC Davis,” Chuck said. “The way the program has grown since 1973 has been so impressive.”

“It’s the leadership, including the student leadership there, that’s developed it into such a powerful program,” Nanci agreed. “It seems to me, really, like a student-run program. The students are doing the planning, they’re developing leadership skills, they’re developing connections. We want to make sure that can continue.”

Determined to pay forward the kindness and sense of belonging they found at Hillel, they embarked on a mission, using IRA assets to generously donate $500,000 – and to ensure future generations of Jewish students at UC Davis would have access to the same enriching experiences.

Last spring, they saw the way UC Davis Hillel has changed firsthand when they attended the event that impacted them the most: the annual Passover seder.

“When we were there, it was probably about 40 students, in this little dining hall off-campus,” Chuck said. “And I think the building was just a small little bungalow. Now, there’s a whole Hillel building, in such a great location, and there were probably 200 students there at the seder.”

“The warmth was just overwhelming,” Nanci added. “You could really tell that it was really home away from home for those students. It was part of their college DNA.”

For Chuck and Nanci, making sure students continue to have that home was their biggest motivation in making their gift.

“Jewish students need to have a place where they can identify as Jewish, and be supported,” Nanci said. “Hillel appeals to all kinds of Jewish kids – observant or not, coming from youth groups, having their first Jewish experience and finding their identity at college.”

“When you’re a freshman, and it’s dark at five o’clock, it can be lonely,” Chuck said. “And I think all students, Jewish or not, need a place where everyone knows their name. There’s a sense of community. Like, we know you. You’re welcome here. We’re excited to see you.”

As Jewish students confront significant challenges, including record levels of antisemitism, in the post-October 7 world, Chuck and Nanci said it’s vital that Hillel remain a resource to those who have questions or need support.

“How do you deal with a professor who has scheduled an exam on Rosh Hashanah?” Nanci asked. “How do you respond to antisemitism on campus?”

Hillel, they said, is there to help students answer those questions.

Nanci and Chuck also hope their generosity will inspire others to give back.

“When we told our story at the benefit where we made our gift, people were crying,” Nanci said. “And it really moved me, thinking that by telling our story, from our hearts, other people would see that they could make a difference, too.”

With these moving words, Chuck and Nanci invite us to embrace the possibility of transformational encounters and to recognize the potential for positive change within our communities.

After all, as Chuck advised, “You know, take a good look at who you’re sitting next to. You never know what might happen.”

“Hillel has always been in our hearts, but with everything going on now on campuses and around the world, we decided to increase our giving and narrow our focus,” says Berenice.

They have chosen to support Hillel through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from their IRAs. “It just makes sense,” says Solomon. “Many people our age can set aside money from their IRA without sacrifice. You can give as if you’re a millionaire, even if you aren’t! You can support Hillel, save on taxes, and give good will.” “It’s very satisfying to both of us,” adds Berenice.

Making a QCD from an IRA is a savvy way to support Hillel and Jewish students. Each taxpayer can give up to $111,000 from their IRA, annually. This type of gift reduces your taxable income, satisfies your required minimum distribution (if you are of age), and achieves philanthropic goals−all in one simple transaction. You can also name Hillel as a beneficiary of your IRA. “Hillel will be in our legacy forever,” Berenice and Solomon agree.

Like these cherished donors, you can lead by example and ensure a strong Jewish future. Consider including Hillel in your charitable giving plans to help inspire every Jewish college student to create a lifelong connection to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

Through legacy gifts, Diane says, “Hillel will have the resources to support Jewish students, promoting self-confidence and leadership, which enables them to stand tall for Israel and the Jewish people.”

Diane and Howard, both Brooklyn natives, have three adult children and six grandchildren. Their core values as Jews reflect deep concern for the Jewish future. They encourage others to establish legacy gifts so that Hillel will be able to provide future students with the tools to build lifelong connections-to Jewish life, to each other, and to Jewish communities worldwide.

Hillel first became important to the Wohls when their children were in college. They have both witnessed the growth of Hillel, not only in North America but in Europe, Latin America, and Israel. Diane was inspired to become involved with Hillel after listening to a presentation made by Richard Joel, a past president and CEO of Hillel International. As a result, she joined Hillel’s International Board of Governors and then the Board of Directors. Diane became a board member of Hofstra Hillel, where the Wohls have supported hiring talented Jewish professional staff to grow and support Jewish life at Hofstra University.

Howard’s affinity for Hillel grew over the years as he witnessed Diane’s enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment. A 1964 Brooklyn College graduate, Howard is currently chairman of the board, after having served as president of the board of directors at the Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College.

The Wohls are leaders and supporters of numerous nonprofit organizations that advance Jewish life and education in the New York area, as well as across the U.S. and overseas. They support close to a dozen campus Hillels nationally and seven Hillels outside of North America. By creating their legacy gift at Hillel, Diane and Howard know that their Jewish values will continue l’dor v’dor—from generation to generation.

In his previous role as Chair of the Hillel International Board of Directors, Skip had the opportunity to visit more than 60 college campuses and meet with students across the United States. “Hillel is there for every Jewish student,” he said. “And their pluralistic approach—being open to whoever comes through their doors—is most meaningful.”

Hillel has supported Jewish students for 100 years. The Vichness family wanted to make sure that Hillel continues to be that special, warm, welcoming place for future generations of Jewish students. To that end, he and his wife are celebrating Hillel’s centennial with an estate gift.

“The value of a legacy gift is substantial,” Skip said. “I believe in legacy giving, and Hillel’s impact on Jewish college students is immeasurable. My family is fulfilled knowing that this gift will support the next generation of Jewish leaders.”

Like Skip, you can lead by example and ensure a strong Jewish future. Consider including Hillel in your charitable plans to help inspire every Jewish college student to create a lifelong connection to Jewish life, learning, and Israel.

“It was a struggle to pay for my education, so I wanted to try to set up scholarships for people like myself, and Hillel was able to facilitate that. There were no roadblocks— boom, done!”

The Grossmans created a three-part gift. In addition to outright gifts to Rutgers Hillel and Hillel International, they made a legacy pledge that established scholarships to be administered by Hillel International. “The nuances of estate planning are difficult, but this is easy. Having this gift established sets my mind at ease,” says David.

Combining gifts creates maximum impact. Consider establishing an endowment for immediate impact, and create a planned gift that supports that endowment in the future. You can utilize cash, a will or trust, a retirement account, or several other options.