A Marin native described as “full of sunshine” and “a bright star,” was killed by an allegedly drunk driver in New York City early Sunday morning, Jan. 22.
Hannah Engle, 25, was a graduate student at New York University, studying for a joint master’s degree in Judaic studies and nonprofit management. She also worked at the United Jewish Appeal.
Engle, who grew up attending Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael, had gone out with friends and her sister in Manhattan that night. As they parted, Engle was struck by a car and immediately killed while crossing the street as her sister, Rebecca Jupiter, looked on. The driver reportedly jumped out and fled the scene, turning himself into the police several hours later.
On Monday, Jan. 23, Wole Parks, a 23-year-old actor, pleaded not guilty to charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident and third-degree aggravated, unlicensed operation, officials said.
The funeral was held Tuesday, Jan. 24 in New York, and plans for a memorial service here are pending.
Rabbi Stacy Friedman, spiritual leader of Rodef Sholom, recalled that only one year after Friedman officiated at her bat mitzvah, Engle participated in the synagogue’s Rosh Chodesh group.
“She was involved and interested in everything,” the rabbi said. “From the time she was very young, she was so full of sunshine in an extraordinary way, and so eager to help people. She was a bright star.”
As a 15-year-old, Engle was a project coordinator for Rodef Sholom’s annual “Mitzvah Day,” and convinced local craft stores to donate materials to make AIDS awareness pins.
She was also active in NFTY, the Reform youth movement, and MAJYC, a Marin group for Reform youth.
Engle graduated from Marin Academy and UCLA. At UCLA, she joined Alpha Epsilon Phi and was active with Hillel. She spent her junior year abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and that year, she led seders in Ukraine. She had such a meaningful experience that the following year, she led a trip for UCLA students to Russia. She moved to New York three years ago.
She also spent one summer as a Kohn intern with the S.F.-based Jewish Community Endowment Fund.
“That was typical of her, it was something she always did,” Jupiter said. “Somehow she managed to have time for all of her friends and for school and work and to volunteer.”
In addition to her sister, Engle is survived by her mother, Enid Pollack, recently of Oakland.
A scholarship was set up at NYU in Engle’s program. Donations can be sent to Dean Ellen Schall, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU, 295 Lafayette St., 2nd floor, New York, NY 10012, with an indication that it is for the Hannah Engle Scholarship Fund.