Editor's Note: This article was written by a University of Connecticut student for a journalism course and contributed to Mansfield-Storrs Patch for publication. 

Gary Wolff does not have a problem managing his time as both a student mentor and the executive director of the Trachten-Zachs Hillel House at the University of Connecticut. Wolff says his daily interactions with students help him better fulfill his job of improving UConn Hillel.

Hillel, created in 1932, is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.  With branches at more than 550 colleges throughout North America, Hillel offers a communal environment for Jewish students to practice their traditions and strengthen their beliefs. 

“Hillel is not a verb or a noun.  It is both…it’s a lifestyle,” Wolff said in his distinct English accent.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Wolff began his career with Hillel in 2004 after receiving an unexpected phone call from a top administrator at the international Hillel offices asking him to work for them.    

“I still don’t know how someone from Hillel got my number and to this day it is still a mystery,” Wolff said. 

For five years, Wolff served as director of programming for Boca Raton Hillel in Palm Beach, FL.  In 2009, he was named executive director of UConn Hillel.

“It has been a very fun and humbling experience here so far and I love it,” Wolff said.

Wolff is passionate about his mission to educate students about Jewish life, get them involved and establish Hillel as an integral group on campus.

“My goal in the next five years is to see Hillel at UConn become a sustainable community,” Wolff said.

Today, Wolff’s goal for Hillel is not an unrealistic one as membership and student involvement continues to increase.  However, just 2 years ago Hillel’s presence on campus was nearly nonexistent and the organization was on the verge of collapsing.

“When Gary arrived at UConn, he took over a Hillel chapter on the verge of bankruptcy and located in a building that had essentially been condemned,” Marcus Perkal, a UConn senior and a member of Hillel for four years, said. 

Since 2009, UConn Hillel has seen drastic improvements. In July 2010, Wolff opened the doors to Hillel’s new 8,500 square-foot facility, marking a huge achievement for the organization.

Wolff says the building is a home away from home for the more than 2,000 Jewish students at UConn. Wolff stressed that Hillel is non-separatist and welcomes all students to attend their events and use their study facilities.

“I’m so thankful I have a place like Hillel to go to when I need to get away from the stresses of my hectic college life.  It’s the next best thing to being at home,” sophomore Gabby Brier said.

To go along with the newly erected Hillel building, Wolff has created a packed schedule of new events and programs within the organization. This includes weekly Shabbat dinners, trips to the Dairy Bar, open microphone sessions and a basketball pick-up league.

“Hillel has always been somewhere I would go for traditional services several times a year, but now it is a social place for me to connect with other Jewish students and celebrate our culture,” Eric Eisenberg, a UConn junior and third year member of Hillel, said.  

Another way Wolff has tried to help students feel closer to their Jewish heritage is through a birthright program, called Taglit-Birthright, which offers Jewish students a free trip to Israel over winter breaks. Although Wolff does not lead this travel program, he takes an active role in educating students about the opportunity and the importance of going on birthright.

“If Gary hadn’t nagged me and persuaded me to register for the trip to Israel, I never would have gone. It turned out to be one of the most incredible, spiritual experiences in my life so far,” Eisenberg said.

Wolff is busy working on new ways to attract more widespread attention to Hillel.  He has made major renovations to the UConn Hillel  Web site, started a Hillel Facebook page and even created an active Twitter account for the group.

Wolff has also formed strong relationships with other Jewish student groups on campus and in the nearby community. He oversees a local high school Jewish council and serves as chapter advisor for Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity at the University of Connecticut.

“Gary has a unique way of being serious and accomplishing goals while still having a great time,” Perkal, also a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, said. 

While Wolff admits he Tweets about Hillel events from his home, he does have some other hobbies and interests he enjoys on his days off.

Wolff and his wife Tess, who will celebrate their 2-year wedding anniversary in June, enjoy traveling on long weekends and attending sporting events.

Wolff also likes going to the gym, cooking and listening to the radio on his car rides home from work.

“It’s all about enjoying the little things in life,” said Wolff.