Annual Gala/Honorees

Jewish identity and continuity are the primary motivators for Paula and Lou Glazier. Simply look at the significant impact they have made on their family, Hillel Day School, and the Jewish community locally and nationally. This dedication and devotion comes from the volunteerism and Jewish learning strongly modeled by their parents and grandparents. In fact, Paula and Lou both graduated from afternoon Hebrew high school, where, luckily, they met. 

Together, Paula and Lou also lead by example. They made the transformative decision to give a comprehensive Jewish education to their daughters, Ilana Glazier (1990) and Mindy Civan (1992), by sending them to Hillel. The girls thrived and Paula and Lou created many lifelong friendships while becoming actively involved in the school. It brings them great pride that Ilana and Mindy followed in their footsteps by sending all of their children to day school. Ilana, who is currently Treasurer of Hillel’s Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee, titles her father also held, and her husband Lowell’s three boys, Benji (2018), Ryan (2020), and Kobi (2023), attend(ed) Hillel, and Mindy and her husband Jesse’s children, Rena (2018), Aviva (2020), and Noah (2025), attend(ed) Perelman Jewish Day School in Philadelphia, where Mindy is also a teacher. 

Many of Hillel’s past presidents recognize Lou as Hillel’s unsung hero and chief strategist. His behind the scenes work resulted in the placement of the traffic light at the school’s entrance. He co-chaired the historic $13 million capital campaign that added 28,000 square feet to the school and created the middle school wing, media center, chapel, science wing, and renovated administrative offices. Hillel has Lou to thank for its wonderful relationship with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit as he made the initial presentation to the Federation that began their annual support which is so vital to the school today. In addition to Lou and Paula being active ambassadors and solicitors for Hillel, Lou represented the school in labor negotiations and led the tuition assistance allowance committee and search committees for key administrative positions. It is evident that Hillel would not be the strong institution it is today without Lou’s time, passion, and dedication.

In addition to her commitment to Hillel, Paula has served as President of Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, as well as President of the Michigan Region of Women’s American ORT and Detroit Friends of ALYN Hospital. She was on the board of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Israel Bonds Women’s Division, the Alliance for Jewish Education, Shalom Street, and many other organizations. For all of this and more, Paula received Federation’s William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Today, Paula is involved with Bookstock, the Jewish Fund, and is President-Elect of the American Friends of ALYN Hospital. 

The couple, along with the entire Glazier-Schmeltz-Civan family, are exemplary role models in their Jewish communities. Paula and Lou are most heartened to witness the success Hillel currently enjoys and greatly appreciate how the next generation of leaders continue to move Hillel forward. 

We are thrilled to bestow upon them the 2023 Dream Maker Award for the incredible and indelible impact they have made on Hillel Day School.