A native Philadelphian, Hillel was educated in the public school system, attending Stokley and Henry Schools before graduating from Central High School. He is a graduate of Temple University and received a J.D. from Villanova Law School.

Track is Hillel’s forte. He was one of the finest and fastest sprinters in the history of Central and Temple. He still holds the Temple record in the 200 meters of 20.9 seconds set in 1960. Hillel was Temple’s fastest runner in 1959 and 1960. He anchored the Championship of America Team in the Penn Relays. He was the Middle Atlantic Conference Champion in the 100 and 220 yard events. Adding to his track honors, Hillel was Temple’s MVP in 1959 and 1960. In 1979, he was honored by being inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame.

He was Vice President of the Temple University Varsity Club and was active in numerous Temple activities.

Since his athletic days, Hillel has been successful as an outstanding municipal official, a private attorney, an entrepreneur and consultant specializing in crisis and turnaround management.