The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, widely known as “the university that built the nation of Israel,” was founded on Mount Scopus in 1918 (30 years before the founding of the State of Israel) by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Chaim Weizmann, and Martin Buber. Opened in 1925, the Hebrew University is now Israel’s premier academic institution and the country’s research powerhouse.
The Hebrew University enrolls 23,500 students from Israel and 70 other countries in its seven academic Faculties in the Humanities, Science, Law, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Dental Medicine, and Medicine, and 14 schools. Its students, faculty, and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes. For more information, visit https://new.huji.ac.il/en.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY (AFHU)
AFHU is a national, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New York City. AFHU was founded in 1925 to raise awareness of and support for the Hebrew University. Through the philanthropic leadership of American Friends across the U.S., AFHU helps the University to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, build teaching and research facilities, provide scholarships and fellowships, and advance basic and applied research in a myriad of vital fields.
AFHU’s national and regional programs, events, and missions to Israel promote a greater appreciation of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s breadth and scope of achievements, and the university’s pivotal role in educating leaders for the State of Israel. By nurturing Israel’s greatest natural resource—the intellectual strength of the nation’s people—AFHU helps Hebrew University improve human health, lead the way with agricultural innovation, spearhead the latest breakthroughs in brain sciences, and illuminate the world through the humanities.
AFHU has a staff of 65 professionals with regional offices in New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. And satellite offices in Dallas and Philadelphia. With an endowment of over $500 million, AFHU raises approximately $60 million each year and is growing. AFHU’s contribution is over half of what is raised from around the world from other Friends groups. For further information on AFHU, visit www.afhu.org.
WESTERN REGION
The Western Region office is headquartered in Los Angeles (Encino) and covers Southern California and the Southwestern states. The office has a total staff of six: Executive Director, Associate Director, Senior Development Executive, Event Coordinator, Campaign Associate, and Executive Development Assistant. The region raises approximately $20-$25 million annually. There is an engaged board of 35-40 leaders. The region is led by Executive Director Sheri Kaufer who has been with AFHU for over fifteen years.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Western Region seeks an exceptional front-line development executive who wants to join a dynamic team of professionals to work on a major-gifts driven campaign. S/he will have a unique opportunity to utilize their diverse fundraising skills from direct solicitations, major event management, educational programming, planned giving, and foundation outreach.
In particular, AFHU is anticipating that this position will develop key prospects in law, banking, and corporate executives for which the organization provides many opportunities to meet and cultivate these individuals. The Western Region hosts parlor meetings with visiting faculty members, leadership forums, alumni gatherings, and two galas which raise approximately $1 million each.
The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of soliciting major gifts and a strong familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community in the region. S/he will also possess a deep commitment to the mission of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and AFHU which supports the University.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
This position is an opportunity to align yourself with one of the world’s top universities. Last year the University received international attention for advances in medicine, the invention of new drug platforms, major archaeological discoveries and international partnerships reflective of the University’s global stature. From bio-engineering to brain research, and from law to human rights, Hebrew University offers donors and prospects a wealth of investments to interest their philanthropic giving. Donors can leverage their gifts knowing that research and discoveries made at the Hebrew University not only help Israel, but also assist people worldwide through their advances.
The staff at AFHU is highly regarded in the Jewish philanthropic community, and the Executive Director of the Western Region is seeking candidates who are creative and have intellectual curiosity; AFHU is large enough so that there are opportunities for growth. S/he will have the opportunity to cultivate the awareness of the work of the Hebrew University in the Western Region, try new ideas, involve new and younger donors and raise more funds to enable the University to turn dreams into realities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATIONS