ATLANTA (March 30, 2020) - Hillels of Georgia is pleased to announce the appointment of Elliot B. Karp as Chief Executive Officer of the statewide organization committed to creating and celebrating Jewish life on college campuses across Georgia.
Karp has served the Jewish community his entire professional career and brings to Hillels extensive local, national and international executive leadership experience. He comes to his position from Onward Israel, where he was vice president of development. Prior to that, he served as president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. Previously, Karp was a senior executive with the Jewish Federations of Columbus, OH; Cincinnati and Philadelphia; as well as National United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Brandeis University and Hebrew Union College.
“We are pleased to welcome Elliot to Hillels of Georgia,” said Bob Wilensky, chair of Hillels of Georgia board of directors. “He is a visionary with a deep commitment to Jewish life, living, learning and values. He is a skillful and accomplished executive who has devoted his professional career to serving the Jewish community, Israel and the Jewish people. We look forward to Elliot’s passionate leadership and the future growth of Hillel of Georgia.”
Karp’s appointment was the result of a national search chaired by Hillels of Georgia VP Leadership Development Michael Kogon and members of the Hillels of Georgia board with the assistance of Hillel International.
“Hillel International is committed to hiring the most dynamic Jewish professionals to inspire and engage students,” said Adam Lehman, Hillel International president and CEO. “We are pleased Elliot is bringing his considerable talents, experience and devotion to Hillels of Georgia and that he will be leading its exciting future.”
Karp is a respected and recognized Jewish community professional with expertise in nonprofit management, fundraising and development, strategic planning, programming,
marketing and community relations. As campaign director for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, he was selected by his professional colleagues as chair of the Campaign Director’s Institute of the Council of Jewish Federations, the predecessor organization of the Jewish Federations of North America, and was awarded their annual Rabineau Award for Professional Excellence.
“This is an incredibly exciting and important time for Hillels of Georgia as we build upon the organization’s tremendous history across our campuses,” said Karp. “I am thrilled to join the incredibly passionate and dedicated team. I look forward to working collaboratively with our students and board members as well as my professional colleagues, faculty and university administrators, our generous donors and community partners throughout the community.”
Karp received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook where he served as Hillel president for three years. He went on to earn a Master of Arts from the Benjamin S. Hornstein Program in Jewish Communal Leadership at Brandeis University. Karp was recognized and honored by Brandeis as the recipient of the Dr. Bernard Reisman Outstanding Professional Award and served as president of the Hornstein Program Alumni Association.
Karp and his wife Sharon are the proud parents of Naomi and Rabbi Howard Tilman of Scotch Plains, NJ and Josh and Amy Karp of Philadelphia. They are prouder grandparents of Micah and Sophie.
About Hillels of Georgia
Hillel is the focal point of Jewish undergraduate students. The mission of Hillels of Georgia is to empower Jewish students across campuses in Georgia to embrace their Jewish identity and become advocates for the Jewish People and for Israel. For nearly a century, Hillel’s network of dedicated student leaders, professionals and volunteers have encouraged generations of young adults to celebrate Jewish learning and living, pursue social justice and connect to their peers and the global Jewish people. By participating in life-changing trips and campus initiatives, students learn to make a meaningful impact on the future of the Jewish people and the world while they grow intellectually, socially and spiritually.
For More Information Contact: Amel Alyamani/Liz Lapidus Liz Lapidus PR amel@lizlapiduspr.com