Hillel President Avraham Infeld has named Hillel at the George Washington University Executive Director Simon Amiel to direct two international programs that will impact Hillel's service to Jewish college students the world over. Amiel, a Hillel professional for nine years, has been appointed director of both Program Professional Advancement and the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps. He will begin his new responsibilities in December.
"Simon has demonstrated a profound ability to connect with students and to direct a complex organization," explains President Infeld. "Simon will be on the front line in our engagement efforts with students. We are certain he will have the same impact globally that he has had locally at The George Washington University."
"Simon brought an engaging and energetic style of leadership to Hillel at GWU" said attorney Evan J. Krame, president of the Board. "His appointment to these new positions is a natural progression that will benefit all of the Hillel world."
As the director of the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Service Corps, Amiel will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment, training and placement of over 80 JCSC Fellows around the world. JCSC Fellows work on college campuses to engage Jewish college students who have not been involved in Jewish life on campus. The program was launched in 1993 and continues to enjoy the generous support of New York philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt. JCSC Fellows work on campuses in the United States, Canada, Israel and Uruguay.
In his capacity as director of Program Professional Advancement, Amiel will serve as an executive coach for those Hillel professionals who create and implement programs with students. He will work to identify and develop talent in the field and ensure that they have the resources necessary to create vibrant centers of Jewish life on their campus and ample opportunity to grow professionally. These efforts are a direct result of Hillel's commitment to focus their efforts on the recruitment and retention of talented professionals, a particular challenge to Jewish and not-for-profit organizations worldwide.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Amiel worked in advertising before he entered the field of Jewish professional leadership. He previously served as a teacher and counselor at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and as director of regional programs for the Hillels of New York. As executive director of Hillel at The George Washington University for the last four years, Amiel partnered with lay leaders, professionals and students to "wake a sleeping giant" and expand Jewish programs. During his four-year tenure, The GW Hillel doubled its budget and tripled the number of students participating in its programs. Amiel lives in the Washington, D.C., area with his wife Amy, sons Sammy, 5, and Ori, 2, and newborn daughter Aliza.