Mar

25 2017

JFC - Congregation and Community Mission to Israel Reunion : Avraham Infeld

8:30PM - 10:00PM  

Adath Israel Congregation 3201 E. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236

Contact Barb Miller
bmiller@jfedcin.org

You spoke, and we listened.

Time and time again, you, the participants of the 2016 Cincinnati Congregation and Community Israel Mission, said one of the most memorable experiences during your 10-day trip was hearing from Jewish thought leader and educator, Avraham Infeld, during the trip’s final community-wide event, at the Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem.

You told us his words about Jewish peoplehood and pluralism inspired you.

You told us how you wished your family back in Cincinnati could hear him speak, as you had.

Well —we’re thrilled to announce that Avraham Infeld is coming to Cincinnati in March. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, his talk at Adath Israel on Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 p.m. followed by a dessert reception is exclusively for you, our Mission participants, and your family. Seating is limited—so RSVP today for a Mission reunion that’s sure to be packed with inspiration!

About Avraham Infeld:

Avraham Infeld, President Emeritus of Hillel – the Foundation for Jewish Campus life – has invested a lifetime building Jewish Identity and strengthening the State of Israel.  Avraham is the founder and director of a succession of innovative educational institutions.  He today serves as a consultant on Tikkun Olam to the Reut Institute, and is a member of the Faculty of the Mandel Institute.  In May, 2012, Avraham was elected Chairman of the Board of the Hillels of Israel.

In 1970, Avraham founded Melitz, a non-profit educational service institution that fosters Jewish identity rooted in a pluralistic understanding of Jewish life and the centrality of Israel.  He stood at the helm of Melitz for 30 years.  He also served as chairman of Arevim; founding chairman of the San Francisco Federation’s Amuta in Israel; and chairman of the Board of Israel Experience, Ltd., an independent company created by the Jewish Agency. 

In the late 70's and early 80's, concurrently with the above, Avraham was also Director General of both Gesher Educational Affiliates, the Shalom Hartman Institute and served a three year tour of duty in London as Director of the Jewish Agency’s Youth Department for English speaking Europe. 

With the advent of Birthright, Avraham serviced as its first International Director, and led the Planning Process which created one of the most successful and formative educational programs in the Jewish world.  In 2003, Avraham was appointed President and International Director of Hillel – Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and served in that capacity until September, 2006, when he returned to Israel to assume the Presidency of the Chais Family Foundation until it was forced to close in December 2008, due to a massive fraud on Wall Street. 

He continues to serve as President Emeritus of Hillel International. 

A native of South Africa, Avraham immigrated to Israel in 1959.  He is married to Ellen Cohen Infeld, originally from Woodbridge, N.J., and they share four children and 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  He is a graduate of the Hebrew University in Bible and Jewish History, and of Tel Aviv University’s Law School.  In 2005, he was awarded the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s prestigious Samuel Rothberg Prize for Jewish Education, the first specialist in informal Jewish Education to be so honored.  He was awarded honorary doctorates by Muhlenberg College in May 2006 and from Hebrew Union College in 2012, for his contribution to the field of education.