Thursday, June 14, 2012

Save KOACH: The Future is Now Press Release

Press Release                                 

SAVE KOACH: Conservative Jewish Life On Campus

The Future is Now


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@savekoach.org or http://savekoach.org

June 14th, 2012 (New York, NY) - The Save KOACH coalition is pleased to hear of the recent news regarding the intent of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) to continue funding KOACH, the college outreach program of the Conservative movement in North America.  While we understand the financial concerns which necessitate a decrease in funding for KOACH, as well as the expectation that the program is now faced with hefty fundraising goals, we are disappointed by the limitations on service to college students that these require.  USCJ, as well as the many other faces of the Conservative movement, must seize this opportunity to reinforce the importance of maintaining a presence on college campuses.  It is essential that this be a time of growth, not retrenchment.  We thank Women's League for Conservative Judaism for their continued support of the annual KOACH Kallah and look forward to the collaboration of other movement partners in this very important work.

As future leaders of the Jewish community, and the Conservative movement in particular, Save KOACH appreciates that the students of KOACH have been heard and that there is a clear interest in working together to develop a long-term strategic plan for the sustainable growth of KOACH.  We look forward to building an organization which will fulfill the goals of fostering continued campus participation in the Jewish community, as well as provide opportunities and spiritual growth for collegiate Conservative Jewry.

We are committed to being active partners in the dual goals of visioning and fundraising.

We encourage supporters of the KOACH program to visit savekoach.org, and to donate in any manner they see fit.  We have made great strides in sustaining KOACH through the end of December 2012, but are in need of significant financial support to help us through the remainder of the academic year.  This will greatly help to ensure the continued koach (strength) and evolution of the movement's programming for college students across North America.

To request an interview, or for more information about KOACH, please contact info@savekoach.org or visit savekoach.org.

About KOACH
KOACH provides college-age students the opportunity to maintain and develop connections to Conservative Judaism. KOACH nurtures a love of Torah, the Jewish people, Israel and God through a variety of activities, including social, religious, educational, cultural and social action programs. We seek to create a passionate Jew who is committed to the future of the Jewish people and the improvement of the world.