Rabbi Etan Mintz, who became executive director of the Hopkins Hillel last fall, announced his resignation in an e-mail yesterday sent to the Hillel community, citing personal and family reasons.
Mintz was the fourth Hillel director since 2005, one of whom served briefly as an acting director.
The governing board of the Hopkins Hillel is in the process of selecting a new director. Yesterday, 10 to 12 Jewish student leaders on campus interviewed a potential candidate, according to sophomore Michael Pisem, religious chair of the Jewish Students Association (JSA).
"We interviewed the candidate as a group. Members of the governing board were there during the interview, and they observed and drew their own conclusions. The discussion was student-led," he said.
The governing board, according to Pisem, consists of the JSA president Lauren Fluger, at least two other students who are not affiliated with JSA, professors, parents and local community leaders.
At this point it is unknown when Mintz's resignation will take effect and when a new director will be hired.
"Nothing is definite about the future right now. I know we are keeping in mind other staff members who are interested in coming in and taking a leadership role but we haven't decided what the form of that will be. Everything is in the works right now," Fluger said
Neither Mintz nor Beth Gansky, executive director for Hillel of Greater Baltimore, could be reached for comment.
Students who are involved with Hillel and Mintz had only positive things to say about him.
"I know that he really wanted to fill the role of spiritual leader," Fluger said. "He staffed the birthright trip a couple months ago. I heard nothing but good reviews, so I definitely think that there are some successes to be celebrated."
Pisem praised his ability in reaching out to unaffiliated Jewish students. Even some who did not know him also had praise for him.
"He seemed like a great guy, I never knew him very well but he always had a smile and said hello to everyone," Hillel regular, Eli Sutton said.
The students interviewing candidates said they are looking for both administrative skills and an ability to establish a good report with the students in those they interview.
"I think [Mintz] was very good at both, to the extent that I had a personal relationship with him, it was very positive," Pisem said.
Although Mintz is an Orthodox rabbi, that is not a requirement for the next director. When Mintz was chosen as director, he was the only Orthodox person among the candidates, according to Pisem.
The group of students that is conducting interviews isn't predominantly Orthodox; it represents the diversity of the Hopkins Jewish community, according to Pisem.
-Additional reporting by Sam Eckstein
