IACT: Inspired, Active, Committed, Transformed
IACT coordinators are well-trained professionals who run on big energy and big ideas to leverage Birthright Israel to transform Jewish life on campus.
IACT (Inspired, Active, Committed, Transformed) is Hillel’s comprehensive strategy that leverages Birthright Israel to transform Jewish life on campus. Currently active on 29 campuses across the United States, IACT seeks to engage a critical mass of lesser-affiliated first and second year students in Jewish life on campus by inspiring, activating, and propelling these young adults on a Jewish journey. By ensuring that every Jewish student has the opportunity to participate in a meaningful immersive Israel experience and be supported on a journey of Jewish discovery before, during, and, after that experience, IACT builds a connected and committed campus community.
The ultimate goal of IACT is to support the journey of student participation in the three pillars of IACT: Jewish learning, Israel engagement, and community service. Each of these value-oriented concepts on which IACT engagements are centered helps focus our efforts. By doing so, IACT creates meaningful connections among Jewish students, building a sense of community on campus.
IACT achieves its goals by providing funding, resources, and support for a dedicated campus professional who spearheads campus efforts to identify and engage lesser-affiliated first-year students and sophomores, recruit them to join a Birthright Israel trip, and steward their involvement in Jewish campus life.
Without a doubt, the IACT program has transformed what it means not just to travel to Israel on our campus, but what it means to be Jewish on our campus. Through the hard work and dedication of our IACT Coordinator, we have found immense success in student engagement and programming and feel very confident that in the future, it will be the IACT program that will shape Jewish life on campus in the biggest and best ways.
Nate Strauss
Assistant Director, Michigan State Hillel
History
IACT was piloted in 2006 by Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and scaled nationally by the Edward Fein Foundation. Hillel International acquired IACT in 2020, boosting efficiency and scope via a robust campus infrastructure. Through generous funding, extensive resources, and ongoing support, IACT coordinators provide a launchpad for Jewish student growth.
Vision
Transform Jewish life on campus by inspiring increased engagement among Jewish students.
Mission
Ensure that every Jewish student has the opportunity to participate in a meaningful immersive Israel experience and be supported on a journey of Jewish discovery before, during, and after that experience.
Strategy
Provide funding, resources, and support for a dedicated campus professional who will identify and engage lesser-affiliated first-year students and sophomores, recruit them to join a Birthright trip, and steward their involvement in Jewish campus life.
For more information, email [email protected].
Our Impact
29
Hillels served by IACT coordinators across the country, representing 20% of Jewish college students
3,000+
Students engaged by IACT coordinators in 2022
Birthright Israel Summer 2022
4,404
Total campus participants
2,166
IACT participants
49%
IACT market share
The Journey is the Destination
To nurture engagement, IACT offers comprehensive programs before and after students travel to Israel. With value-oriented pillars — Jewish learning, Israel engagement, and community service — IACT creates student connections and builds campus communities.
IACT coordinators are responsible for inspiring and deepening participation before students experience Israel. They organize orientation sessions, events, and one-on-one meetings for each potential participant.
IACT coordinators increase Jewish involvement on campus by maintaining regular, one-on-one contact with Birthright alumni and planning programs that involve Jewish learning, Israel education, and community service. They also develop individual Jewish and Israel involvement plans for each student, promote opportunities for students to return to Israel, integrate alumni into the existing Jewish and Israel organizations on campus, and so much more.
A Direct Pathway
IACT plays a key role in helping a wide range of Hillels connect more students with Israel.
Historic Partnership Leads Hillel International to Absorb IACT
By transitioning to Hillel International, IACT is building on successful national programming that strengthens Jewish student identities and relationships with Israel.
Antisemitism Conference Attracts Hundreds of College Students
IACT held its first “Antisemitism on Campus Today Student Leadership Assembly” in Pittsburgh on Nov. 24, 2019.