Our Founders: Mel (z”l) and Paula Schwartz

our visionary founders, mel (z”l) and Paula Schwartz

After the death of their beloved son in 1996, Aaron David Bram, Paula and Melvin Schwartz decided to turn their grief into a living memorial. They bought the Hillel House which now stands at 1701 Sigma Chi Road NE. This was the same home where one of Paula’s professors lived and taught class when Paula was pregnant with Aaron in the 1960s.

On March 11th, 2024, Melvin J. Schwartz died at age 97. He was a crucial member of the UNM Hillel board from 1996 until his passing. Mel was always connected and concerned with the students, and put his whole heart into improving their connection to Judaism. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Zikrono l’vracha. May his memory always be a blessing.

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