Michael Uram, executive director and campus rabbi of Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania, has won a 2016 National Jewish Book Award for his first book, Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations.

​​​​​​​The awards, in 20​​​​​​​ categories, are selected by the New York City-based Jewish Book Council board of d​​​​​​​irectors. Uram’s book was the winner in the category of Education & Jewish Identity.

​​​​​​​“It’s wonderful to get this kind of formal recognition for work that is so close to my heart,” Uram said. “I hope the award will help showcase the vibrant cultural innovation on Penn’s campus and t​​​​​​​he incredible work of generations of students and professionals at Penn Hillel.” ​​​​​​​

The book provides a model for leaders to restructure their organizations to appeal to younger generations, based on what is being learned on college campuses, Uram said. 

“The book is for any leader who feels stuck, who knows that the world is changing faster than the organization can change, and is asking how to keep up,” he said. “Each chapter is a practical tool to help leaders think differently and act differently.”

At Penn Hillel since 2005, Uram said the idea for the book emerged from his own experiences building a new model to more effectively engage with Penn students, as well as parents and alumni. 

“The role of organizations is not just to provide services for members, the people who show up. It’s to go out and bring resources to people where they live, work and play,” he said.

The award winners will be honored on March 7 at a dinner and ceremony to be held at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.