Hillels of Georgia Announces New CEO

Hillels of Georgia announced the appointment of Elliot B. Karp as CEO March 30. Karp takes the reins during a time when the organization has shifted its programming to online-only to support students who have left their college campuses due to coronavirus.

“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.”

“Under Karp’s leadership, Hillels of Georgia will remain steadfast in supporting students through this crisis with virtual social activities and impactful programs, networking opportunities, Jewish education and emotional support. Where needed, Hillels of Georgia staff have been on the frontline assisting Hillel students as they moved off campuses and helping them to cope with this crisis through counseling.”

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Karp has served the Jewish community his entire professional career and brings to Hillels of Georgia extensive local, national and international executive leadership experience.

He comes to Hillels of Georgia from Onward Israel, where he was vice president of development. Before that, he served as president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. He has been a senior executive with the Jewish federations of Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Philadelphia, as well as the national United Jewish Appeal, Jewish Agency for Israel, Brandeis University and Hebrew Union College.

Karp’s appointment was the result of a national search chaired by Michael Kogon, Hillels of Georgia vice president of leadership development, and members of the Hillels of Georgia board with help from Hillel International.

Adam Lehman, Hillel International president and CEO, said, “Hillel International is committed to hiring the most dynamic Jewish professionals to inspire and engage students. 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 he was awarded the annual Rabineau Award for Professional Excellence.

“This is an incredibly important time for Hillels of Georgia as we build upon the organization’s tremendous history across our campuses,” Karp said. “I am honored to join the passionate and dedicated team as we work to support students virtually through these moments of uncertainty on campuses. 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 Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University. Karp was recognized and honored by Brandeis as the recipient of the Bernard Reisman Professional Excellence Award and served as president of the Hornstein Program alumni association.

Hillels of Georgia’s virtual programming is open to college students across Georgia and beyond, as well as high school students and seniors who are interested in joining a Hillel on campus once they graduate.

For more information, visit www.HillelsofGeorgia.org.