New York—MEOR, a leading Jewish non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering Jewishtudents at top universities across the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabbi Hershel Lutch as its first Executive Director. After an extensive selection process, Rabbi Lutch was the unanimous choice of MEOR’s search committee and Board of Directors.

A native of Boston and resident of Baltimore, Rabbi Lutch began his career as the Executive Director of two Maryland Jewish day schools and subsequently served as Director of Finance, Agencies and Programs at the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. Since 2013, Rabbi Lutch has served as Aish HaTorah’s Chief Operating Officer for North America, with a wide-ranging portfolio of strategic planning, financial and development responsibilities.“ MEOR began as a small passion project employing just one full-time and two part-time educators. Over the past decade, we have been fortunate to grow our team to over 50 educators on 21 college campuses, engaging over 3,000 students annually,” said Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, Co-Founder and President of MEOR.“ Following our 10th anniversary, the MEOR Board of Directors set its sights on securing a full-time Executive Director who would both ensure our continued growth and respond to the ever-changing needs of the Jewish community. I am very pleased to have Rabbi Lutch join MEOR in this role to provide steadfast leadership for MEOR in its second decade and beyond.”

Tom Steinberg, Co-Founder and Chairman of MEOR’s Board of Directors, added that Rabbi Lutch has the charisma, skill set and broad and eclectic background required to lead MEOR into the future. “ Rabbi Lutch brings great talent and energy to MEOR. The entire Board of Directors welcomes his appointment and is looking forward to working together with him to achieve MEOR’s goals of make a meaningful difference in lives of so many Jewish students.”

An alumnus of both Ohr Somayach and the Mir Yeshiva, Rabbi Lutch received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbis Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg and Moshe Lazerus. He also earned an MBA and an MS in Nonprofit Management from the University of Maryland.

“Working on 21 of America’s most important college campuses, MEOR’s exceptionally talented educators are transforming the Jewish future. I am deeply humbled to assume the professional leadership of MEOR, expand its reach, grow its impact and continue its mission. It is an honor to work together with Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, one of the Jewish people’s great visionaries, and the team of passionate and gifted educators that he has built,” said Rabbi Lutch.

“As challenges to sustained and passionate Jewish engagement continue to grow, MEOR’s programming is more critical than ever before. I am looking forward to working together with our national office, our campus-based rabbis and educators and our lay leadership—including our Board of Directors—to develop new partners, expand our programming and share the beauty and relevance of our heritage with the next generation of Jewish leaders.”

Beginning immediately, Rabbi Lutch will serve as MEOR’s chief professional, overseeing all aspects of MEOR’s fiscal management, operational planning, fundraising activities and educational functions. In addition, he will ensure the timely provision of resources and guidance to all campus educators. Rabbi Lutch will report directly to MEOR’s President and Board of Directors.

By JLNJ Staff