Our visionary founders:

Mel and Paula Schwartz (z”l)

In 1996, after the unexpected death of their son, Aaron David Bram, Paula and Mel Schwartz decided to turn their grief into a living memorial. They bought the Hillel House at 1701 Sigma Chi Road NE, which has nurtured generations of Jewish young people.

It was the perfect place, bashert, in fact. In the 1960s, when Paula was pursuing her graduate education at UNM and pregnant with Aaron, she took classes in the very same home.

Both Paula and Mel put their whole hearts into helping our Hillel House. Each served on our board from 1996 until they died in 2024. Mel passed on March 11 while Paula followed on October 30. They were always concerned with the students, their well-being, and connection to Judaism.

Zikronam l’vracha, may their memory always be a blessing.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of the Schwartzes, please go to our support page, or contact our director, Sara Koplik.