IACT (Inspired, Active, Committed,Transformed), the signature campus engagement initiative created by Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP) and scaled nationally in partnership with the Edward Fein Foundation, will move to Hillel International this summer. The program, currently at 29 local Hillels around the country, supports a coordinator on each campus dedicated to recruiting students for Birthright Israel trips and inspiring them to become active in Jewish life and Israel activities once back on campus.
By moving to Hillel International, IACT will build on an already successful national program, currently on campuses serving nearly 20 percent of all North American Jewish college undergraduates. Hillel’s significant international campus infrastructure will position the program for continued strength and national scope, along with the potential for further expansion that can maximize IACT’s reach and impact.
The IACT initiative was piloted in 2007 through the innovation and leadership of CJP with generous support from donors as a unique approach to engaging students before and after Birthright Israel trips and to inspire participation in Jewish life on campus after students return. CJP successfully operated the initiative on campuses in New England for 13 years and expanded it to a national program in 2014. The Edward Fein Foundation has supported IACT since 2012 and joined with CJP to pioneer IACT’s national expansion six years ago.
As part of the Hillel movement, funded through a nearly $10 million grant over three years by the Edward Fein Foundation, IACT will maintain its unique programmatic brand identity and will join and benefit from the wealth of Hillel’s resources and offerings, such as its Measuring Excellence reporting and evaluation program. Cheryl Aronson, CJP’s Vice President for IACT, will join Hillel International as Vice President, Israel Engagement and Immersive Experiences, overseeing IACT as well as other centerpiece initiatives, such as Hillel’s work with Birthright Israel, Masa Israel, and Onward Israel. In Cheryl’s more than 30 years with CJP she has overseen Israel, global and Jewish education agendas.
Top