Israeli-American Council and Kaplen JCC in Tenafly Announce Joint Venture

IAC to oversee Israel Center at one of the nation’s largest JCCs,
engaging Israeli-Americans as an integral part of Jewish community

TENAFLY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Last week, the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades (JCC) in Tenafly and
the Israeli-American Council (IAC) announced a historic joint venture
agreement that promises to change the landscape of Jewish life in New
Jersey, with the IAC assuming management of the JCC’s popular Israel
Center. The merger agreement calls for unified programming and a joint
financial model, with shared responsibility for the Center divided
between the two organizations. Aya Schecter, the former director of the
Israel Center at the JCC, will become the IAC New Jersey Regional
Director.

“The IAC is thrilled to be working within, and in full collaboration
with, one of the nation’s largest and most highly regarded JCCs. We
believe that this new partnership provides an exciting model for IAC-JCC
collaboration that can be replicated all across the country,” said IAC
Chief Executive Officer Shoham Nicolet. “In unprecedented ways,
Israeli-Americans are moving from isolation from the American Jewish
community to integration. Partnerships like this highlight the critical
role that Israeli-Americans can play in enriching American Jewish life.”

Over the past decade, the JCC’s Israel Center has built a robust array
of programming targeting New Jersey’s Israeli-American community – one
of the fastest-growing in the country. After launching a regional
council in New Jersey in 2013, the IAC quickly began partnering with
Kaplen JCC on projects and programs. By combining forces, the two
organizations will be able to develop new initiatives, enhance current
programs, and broaden their reach. Operating from its new headquarters
in Tenafly, the IAC will continue to provide programming and serve the
Israeli-American community throughout the State of New Jersey.

“This merger will enable two organizations already doing fantastic work
engaging New Jersey’s Israeli-American community to become even more
effective,” said Jordan Shenker, Chief Executive Officer of the JCC.
“With our combined resources and expertise, the IAC and the JCC are
going to nourish a vibrant center for Israeli life in our community like
never before.”

About the IAC: Headquartered
in Los Angeles, the IAC is committed to building an engaged and united
Israeli-American community that strengthens our next generations, the
American Jewish community, and the State of Israel. The IAC strives to
achieve these goals through programs and events for all ages – and by
empowering and supporting a wide array of non-profit organizations
within the Israeli-American community. For more information about
the Israeli-American Council, please visit www.israeliamerican.org.

Contacts

for Israeli-American Council
Nathan Miller or Meira Feinman
(310)
571-8264
Nathan@miller-ink.com
or Meira@miller-ink.com