by Tamara Stokes

Special to DJW

The Regional Hillel of North Texas, launched in the fall of 2000 to expand services available to Jewish college students in the DFW area, announced recent staff changes. Effective May 1, Joel Schwitzer accepted a new challenge as outreach associate with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, and Lori Pines stepped up to regional director for Hillel.

Pines says it is important to get students to learn about identity and leadership in the Jewish community. Her primary challenge is providing accurate information about Israel and resources for students. Pines says Hillel provides a cohesive campus presence for Jewish students at local universities.

Pines has worked for Hillel organizations in Houston and Pittsburgh, Pa., and has an extensive background working with Jewish teens. Most recently, she worked in an administrative capacity for the Greater Dallas Jewish Community Capital Campaign in Dallas. There, Pines was able to become very familiar with members in the Dallas community and work with both the JCC's executive director and the Capital Campaign marketing chair.

As a Partnership 2000 Israel Teen Leadership facilitator, Pines led activities for the three-week trip to Israel. She has both hands-on and administrative experience that, combined with a master of social work from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, Calif., provides a unique fit for her new position as Hillel director.

As a Partnership 2000 Israel Teen Leadership facilitator, Pines led activities for the three-week trip to Israel. She has both hands-on and administrative experience that, combined with a master of social work from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, Calif., provides a unique fit for her new position as Hillel director.

Pines lives in Dallas with her husband, Michael, who is mashgiach for the deli/meat department of a local grocery store chain.

Schwitzer feels his new position as volunteer and donor resource development outreach associate with the Jewish Federation is a natural progression for his career as well. He is responsible for connecting people with volunteer opportunities, recognizing outstanding volunteer effort and contacting people who are not currently active in the Jewish community.

Schwitzer says the new program housed under volunteer and donor resource development is "the warm and fuzzy part of the Federation."

"In many ways," says Schwitzer, "I feel my experiences as Hillel director was the perfect lead-in to this position. One of the things I enjoy most about Hillel work was connecting college students to the Jewish community."

Schwitzer's first assignment will be focused on northern communities. He says there are many people in the Metroplex who need links to Jewish life right here in Dallas. An important initiative is planned for Nov. 17, 2002, which will facilitate Jews meeting from areas such as Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Flower Mound, Denton and Carrollton.

Schwitzer has worked in leadership capacities in B'nai B'rith, and obtained a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Arizona. He and his wife, Beri, are expecting twins later this year.

The Regional Hillel of North Texas sponsors active student chapters at Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas at Dallas.