Siegel

For his efforts to enhance Jewish life at Cornell and his involvement in various areas of the university, Seth “Yossi” Siegel ’74, J.D. ’78, was awarded Cornell Hillel’s 2013 Tanner Prize. The prize is awarded annually to an individual, couple, family or other entity to recognize long-time contributions to the Jewish people and to Cornell.

Harold Tanner ’52, Cornell University Board of Trustees chairman emeritus, presented the prize June 18 at a lunch at the Cornell Club of New York in New York City.

“Yossi Siegel brings incredible energy, intelligence and initiative to every aspect of his multifaceted community service,” said Cornell President David J. Skorton. “For Cornell Hillel, for the ILR School and for local and national Jewish organizations, he is a model of dedicated leadership.”

Susan Murphy ’74, Ph.D. ’94, vice president for student and academic services, commented, “Yossi Siegel has been a true leader for Cornell and Cornell Hillel. His tenure as Hillel’s board chair was critical to Cornell Hillel’s growth and reach. He is a most deserving recipient.”

Tanner, for whom the Tanner Prize is named, has long been a role model for Siegel. “To be awarded a prize bearing his name while being recognized for my service to both the university and the Jewish community is an honor I cherish today and will cherish long into the future. I only hope that I can serve as a model for students and grads so that they, too, will want to serve both of these communities,” Siegel said.

At Cornell, Siegel serves on the Cornell University Council and on the ILR School’s advisory board. In 2010, he was the recipient of the Jerome Alpern Award, given annually to an outstanding ILR School alumnus. Siegel has been a leader of Jewish life at Cornell, serving on the Cornell Hillel Board for 13 years and helping to grow the organization. He served as the chair of the Cornell Hillel Board of Trustees 2003-06.

Within the Jewish community, Siegel serves on the national board of American Israel Public Affairs Committee; is in the 26th year of board service to the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, a Jewish day school in New York City; and has been an adviser to many Jewish organizations.

Siegel is an entrepreneur, having started businesses in fields from branding and finance to cellular intellectual property. He and his wife, Rachel Ringler, have three children: Alana ’05, Sam and Talia ’13.

Cornell Hillel is a part of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.

Rachel Ossman is development director at Cornell Hillel.