Sarah Portilla of Marlboro, associate director for new initiatives at Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, has been selected to receive the Leo Brody Jewish Communal Service Award given annually in recognition of outstanding professional achievement early in the recipient’s career in communal service. She will receive an expenses-paid educational trip to Israel.
According to a press release, Portilla earned a BA in Political Science and Jewish Studies at Rutgers University in 2003 and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 2006.
Prior to joining the professional staff of Rutgers Hillel in 2007, she served a year with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
The Brody Award recipient was a Jewish Camp Service Corps Fellow at the University of Massachusetts Hillel and while in graduate school held positions with the Burlington County Special Services School District and Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
Portilla was named Director of Engagement at Rutgers Hillel in 2007 where she was responsible for developing a campuswide engagement strategy to enhance the Jewish student experience and inspire a commitment to Jewish life.
During her four-year tenure in that position, Portilla sent more than 350 students to Israel on Taglit-Birthright Israel excursions and more than 140 students to Alternative Spring Break experiences.
In 2011, she was named to her current position. Portilla was one of 15 young Hillel professionals selected nationally for the internationally-oriented Harrison LAPID leadership development program, named for New Jersey philanthropist and Hillel International Board of Directors Vice Chair Dr. Lynne B Harrison.
“Sarah is a self-motivated, passionate professional,” said Rutgers Hillel Executive Director Andrew Getraer. “She works tirelessly to bring students into Jewish life who would not necessarily get involved on their own, and to develop their leadership skills on behalf of the Jewish community. Sarah is a role model for her young peers and a pleasure to work with professionally.”
According to the New Jersey Association of Jewish Communal Service (NJAJCS), the Brody Award was established in 1981 by Arthur Brody, a renowned volunteer leader in the Jewish Federation of MetroWest, in memory of his father. Nominated by peers, the award recipient must have served less than 10 years in communal service, according to the press release.
Founded in 1970, the NJAJCS conducts professional development seminars and institutes dedicated to maintaining the highest standards and practices in communal service. In addition to the Brody Award presented to an up-and-coming professional, the association recognizes annually an outstanding member for lifetime achievement. That award is named for its first recipient and an association founder, Saul Schwarz.