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April 5, 2002
Meranda to depart Hillel
University leader leaves after five years of service.
PAT JOHNSON REPORTER
Emotions ran high at the annual general meeting of B'nai Brith
Hillel recently, as students and board members said formal farewells
to the man who has guided the Jewish campus organization for the
past five years.
Gabe Meranda will wind up his tenure as director of Hillel at the
University of British Columbia at the end of this school term.
Meranda said he has consistently counselled students in his organization
to strive as hard as they can and to aim higher. After five years
at the helm, Meranda said he figured it was time for him to take
his own advice and try new challenges. He has not solidified his
post-Hillel plans, but said he is considering several possibilities,
including continuing his education.
"There are a few things I've kind of been putting on hold for
a few years now," he said. It has been almost a decade that
Meranda has been working with Jewish young people. Originally from
Toronto, he served as director of B'nai Brith Youth Organization
in Montreal and, later, at the University of Western Ontario, in
London, as director of the Jewish Students' Union.
At the Hillel meeting Feb. 27, board members and students expressed
their appreciation to Meranda, who was fêted with a standing
ovation and kind words as well as some tears.
"I'm a little numb," he said, after what he called an
emotionally draining tribute. In addition to the live testimonials,
there were e-mail tributes from former students that Meranda worked
with who are now spread all over the world.
"Hillel has been my life for five years," he said. "In
a nutshell, it's been one of the most fulfilling things I've done
in my life."
Whatever path he chooses in the next few months, Meranda hopes to
remain in Vancouver, a decision that is met with relief and enthusiasm
among his friends and colleagues.
Ted Weber, president of Hillel's board, said Meranda is a mensch
who will be missed.
"The students really responded to him," said Weber. "He
greets them, he engages them.... The success of Hillel over the
past five years in Vancouver has been through Gabe's efforts, as
well as a supreme team effort."
The kind words were echoed by Gordon Brandt, who is in his first
year as student president of Hillel.
"He has a policy of never saying no to a student who comes
to his door," said Brandt, adding that he found it easy to
work with Meranda, who has been hugely supportive of student initiatives.
Moreover, said Brandt, Meranda has proved a source of strength over
the five years he has been here. Student organizations are, by nature,
subject to heavy turnover, but Meranda has smoothed the waters,
Brandt said.
"Gabe has a real sense of continuity," he said. "He
has this sense of greater vision."
A search committee has been struck to seek a replacement for Meranda's
position. The committee is headed by Weber, who said Hillel's central
office in Washington, D.C., co-ordinates requests for staffing.
They are also seeking candidates through channels such as communal
organizations and synagogues in Canada, since Weber notes the state
of the Canadian dollar is likely to make it difficult to attract
American candidates.
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