Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life has opened its search for the person who will succeed International President Avraham Infeld when his term ends in August 2006. Infeld, who has shuttled between his home in Israel and Hillel's Washington, D.C., headquarters for four years, has agreed to remain with the Jewish campus organization as a consultant beyond his presidential tenure to ensure institutional continuity, to lecture and to assist in development.

"Although we would have liked Avraham to remain as president beyond August 2006, he felt that he could no longer extend his separation from his family in Israel," said Hillel Board of Directors Chairman Randall Kaplan. "We have begun the search process now to ensure that we find someone with Avraham's vision, Jewish passion and inspirational leadership to guide this global organization."

Columbus businessman Neil Moss, the immediate past chairman of Hillel's Board of Directors, is heading the presidential search committee. Hillel has retained the firm of DRG, Inc. to undertake the search. Resumes may be sent to hillel@drgnyc.com.

During Infeld's term, Hillel undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process to map the organization's future. Plans are now being developed to fulfill the plan's goals, which include doubling the number of students Hillel serves and creating a $100-million endowment. Infeld will actively pursue these goals during the final year of his term.

Infeld was named interim president in 2003 and elected international president the following year. He had previously served as Hillel's consul for Jewish affairs for two years, a position in which he visited Hillel groups around the world delivering lectures and inspiring Hillel's stakeholders.

As president, Infeld built on the foundation laid by former president Richard M. Joel whose term included the creation of Hillel's current governing structure and the dedication of the organization's first headquarters building.

Working with lay leaders, Infeld enlarged Hillel's budget and expanded its Board of Governors. A veteran Israeli educator, Infeld expanded Hillel's Israel education efforts to include 21 Israel Fellows, young Israelis who spend a year working on college campuses in the United States and Canada. He instituted winter missions to Israel that enabled student activists to delve deeply into Israel advocacy, social justice, business and Jewish pluralism. Infeld enhanced Hillel's lay leadership training program and upgraded professional recruitment, training and retention. He undertook new approaches to Jewish education, including the creation of spirituality training seminars, and placed added emphasis on social justice. In the area of international development, Infeld has ensured the financial stability of Hillel in the former Soviet Union and shifted management of that Hillel branch to local Hillel leadership. Hillel has added one new unit in Israel, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and three in South America.

Hillel is seeking a president who will continue the organization's growth and expand its engagement of college students. The individual should have a passion for the Jewish community and the ability to articulate the organization's vision. He or she will lead Hillel's development efforts, set its programmatic agenda and maintain close relationships with Hillel's stakeholders -- students, lay leaders, supporters, Jewish federations, and Hillel professionals. Experience in a high-level leadership capacity is essential.