Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life announced its bold agenda for its American campuses over the next five years with the release of its Strategic Plan at the inaugural Summit on the University and Jewish Community this week in Washington, D.C. Two years in the making, the Strategic Plan examines all aspects of the organization -- from student leadership and Jewish learning to fundraising and professional development -- and sets a new course of action to double the number of Jewish college students who are involved in Jewish life on campus.

"This Strategic Plan is neither a departure from Hillel's founding principles, nor does it deviate from the objectives of Jewish renaissance," said Hillel President Avraham Infeld. "Rather, it is a response to the needs of today's Jewish students and a realignment of the organization's resources to better fulfill its historic mandate: to deliver the Jewish future."

Hillel's Strategic Planning Process started in 2004 with extensive stakeholder research. A committee of Hillel professionals and lay leaders conducted surveys, group discussions and social studies to understand students, professionals, board members, community partners and the environmental factors that shape campus life. After analyzing the data, the committee established Hillel's overarching purpose and values by creating new mission and vision statements, as well as five major organizational goals and objectives for the next five years: 

• Hillel will double the number of Jewish students who are involved in Jewish life and who have Meaningful Jewish Experiences.
• Hillel will recruit, develop and retain highly talented professionals.
• Hillel will be regarded by the campus community and administration as an indispensable partner in enhancing student life.
• Hillel will embrace a culture of high performance, excellence and collaboration.
• Hillel will dramatically expand and diversify its funding sources.

After prioritizing its work and creating objective, measurable standards to evaluate its achievements, Hillel submitted the Strategic Plan to its Board of Directors, which approved it in Feb. 2006. The organization is now poised to advance Jewish renaissance to new levels on American campuses.

"This plan is multi-tiered and multi-faceted, complex and comprehensive. However, at its core is one central goal and our new mission: 'To enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish community and the world,'" said Hillel President-Elect Wayne Firestone, who helped guide the planning process during his tenure as Hillel's executive vice president for the United States.

For more information about the Strategic Plan, including research data, additional objectives and the priorities for its implementation, download the complete plan at www.hillel.org/future. For a printed copy, please contact Jeff Rubin.