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Jewish Community News
Column: July 2004
Bringing Hillel back to life — the Markows
By Eleanor Weber Dickman
If you ask Judie and Alan Markow for the secrets of their success in strengthening Hillel of Silicon Valley during their tenure as co-presidents, they will immediately give credit to others. “If there’s a secret to success in lay leadership,” they stress, “it’s to hire great staff, recruit a great board and get out of their way.”
They applaud the “exceptional staff” with whom they’ve worked: Lindsay Greensweig and Arlene Miller (executive directors) and Brynne Speizer (program director). They acknowledge the “two outstanding past presidents,” Mishy Balaban and Randy Levinson. They express appreciation to “the Federation board and execs who have provided support and guidance,” and the community whose philanthropy has made Hillel’s growth and innovation possible. Most of all, they say they are “particularly grateful to Mel Cotton and his wife Dorothy, of blessed memory, for the continuing support they’ve provided.”
But surely, much of the credit for Hillel’s recent accomplishments must be due to the Markows themselves — to the thoughtfulness and foresight that Judie and Alan brought to Hillel as its lay leaders for the past three years. On their watch, Hillel has grown dramatically. From a small group serving only San José State University, and “counting itself successful if half a dozen students came to an event,” Hillel Silicon Valley now actively serves four area campuses, with outreach to an additional four colleges. Today, Hillel “actually engages around 500” of the estimated 1,500 Jewish students on Bay Area campuses.
The Markows, who have been on the Hillel board for seven years, are proud also of Hillel’s outreach to diverse student communities. They oversaw Hillel’s collaboration with counterparts in Latin America, first by hosting a group of Argentine Jews in Silicon Valley, then by supporting the development of “Puente,” a program designed to build bridges between Latinos and Jews through tzedakah programs both locally and in South America.
Former executive director Lindsay Greensweig says, “Through their many talents, they were able to grow and strengthen Hillel into a stronger organization, with an engaged board of directors and a great student leadership cabinet.” While Alan “helped Hillel tremendously” with his organizational development and marketing skills, Lindsay also appreciated Judie’s knack for “giving her loving touch to any Hillel event, and being willing to adopt any student as her own.”
When meeting the Markows, one is immediately struck by three things: their quiet manner, the twinkle in their eyes, and the extraordinary sense of process and organization which guides their work. Judie and Alan had clear goals when they assumed the presidency in 2001, and leave their roles with the satisfaction of having achieved them.
They oversaw the successful transition in staff leadership from Lindsay Greensweig to Arlene Miller, which was, they say, “particularly rewarding” because of the caliber of both executive directors. Arlene considers them “true partners in leading our organization.” The Markows became co-presidents at the same time that Arlene became executive director. “Judie and Alan’s advice, mentoring, and expertise has been pivotal in guiding Hillel’s direction and success,” she says. “Their dedication, passion, and energy are exemplary.”
Strengthening the ties between Hillel and the larger Jewish community, the Markows supported co-chairs Judy Levin and Janice Naymark in executing an extraordinarily successful fundraising event, “Hillel Goes Hollywood,” a gala which gave Hillel community-wide visibility and garnered many new supporters.
Less visible but perhaps even more important, the Markows embarked on an accreditation process for Hillel, which, as a result, they say, has led to “a much stronger organization that is better able to serve the Jewish student population.” Believing that full-time professional staffing was key to “maximizing our presence on campus and thereby engaging more students,” the Markows focused fundraising efforts on successfully meeting enhanced staffing needs. Finally, they worked to “ensure continuing leadership for our Hillel.” Under Jack Chevlen’s guidance, Alan notes, “the board created a structure that not only provides for succession, but also integrates more board members into the decision-making process.”
These are the structural ingredients that are the foundation for Hillel’s success. But the Markows also gave these organizational details a philosophical and spiritual context. Simply put, they say, through Hillel, “We are providing new leaders for the Jewish community. By putting our students in touch with their Judaism on a daily basis, getting them involved with events such as Connections and AIPAC conferences, and sending them to Israel on Birthright and other trips, Hillel helps create the next generation of committed Jews. In addition to serving students, Hillel also represents our local Jewish community on college campuses. When anti-Israel or anti-Semitic acts take place, we not only deal with them directly, but we let the community know what is happening.”
Realizing that Hillel is a vital campus resource for Jewish college students, the Markows have been proactive in supporting new programs. To help students deal with what they term “an anti-Israel environment on campus that often morphs into anti-Semitism,” Judie and Alan have supported Executive Director Arlene Miller’s efforts “to develop pro-active relationships with college administrators, teachers and campus media.” Hillel holds occasional board meetings on the different campuses and invites key administrators to participate. These meetings, say the Markows, have resulted in “productive dialogues about campus issues affecting Jews, and increased sensitivity to Jewish students’ needs.”
The Markows, who live in Los Gatos, moved to California in 1993. Alan has been on the Federation board and executive committee; Judie is a lifetime member of Hadassah, has served on the Federation’s Women’s Division board, and worked on its Connections dinner. She was Hillel’s “Woman of Distinction” three years ago. Alan is also an emeritus member of the Tech Museum board of directors. And they have always been conscientious Super Sunday volunteers.
This fall, Alan and Judie are moving to Lincoln, California, east of Sacramento. Their links with this community, however, will remain strong. “We want to thank the greater San Jose community for embracing Hillel of Silicon Valley and giving us the strength to succeed,” they say. Although “not sure precisely what we’ll both be doing, we’re positive there will be at least some Hillel in our lives.”
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