October 18, 2011 – New York – ACCESS, AJC’s new generation program, has been named by Slingshot ’11-’12 as one of the 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in North America. ACCESS is the only group Slingshot honored this year that represents young leadership of an establishment or defense organization. It is the second consecutive year Slingshot has honored AJC ACCESS.

Founded in 2005, ACCESS facilitates diplomatic and cross-cultural engagement for politically savvy Jews in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. Philanthropist and businessman Matthew Bronfman is the AJC chair of ACCESS; Alicia Chandler of Detroit and Daniel Pincus of New York are the new co-chairs of the Global ACCESS Steering Committee; and Rebecca Neuwirth directs the program, which is at the center of AJC’s Helen and Martin Kimmel Young Leadership Institute.

“The Slingshot recognition is a very meaningful honor and an indicator of how far ACCESS has come in forging honest, important conversations among generations within the Jewish community, and in translating that into meaningful political action,” said Rebecca Neuwirth, Global ACCESS director.

ACCESS was selected by a national panel of 36 foundation professionals who reviewed hundreds of nominees from across North America. Finalists were chosen based on their strengths in four areas: innovation, impact, leadership and organizational efficiency.

“Slingshot ’11-’12 is an inspirational look at a Jewish community that is adapting to changing needs in Jewish life,” said Will Schneider, executive director of Slingshot. “We had more applications than ever this year, with a wider variety of missions. In order to be selected by our evaluators, innovations and their impact had to resonate more than ever.”

AJC’s prestigious Goldman Fellowship, sponsored by the Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation, was recognized by Slingshot in 2006.

In 2011, over 1740 ACCESS members participated in 43 programs hosted by ACCESS groups in 12 U.S. cities and Israel focused on building bridges and global diplomacy with key non-Jewish communities, including international diplomats and journalists, Latinos, Muslims, African Americans, East Asians and Indians. ACCESS hosted interethnic Passover seders in four major cities. ACCESS delegations also traveled to Israel and Germany.

In spring 2011, ACCESS hosted a weekend conference in Washington, DC, for 450 people from 27 countries. One track, in conjunction with a myriad of U.S.-based ethnic and religious organizations, created a Civil Engagement Pledge, which is expected to be adopted shortly by AJC’s Board of Governors. The second track, created with the Reut Institute, and in cooperation with the Israel on Campus Coalition and Jewish Labor Committee, brought together Israel activists from across the political spectrum to address and counter efforts to delegitimize Israel.

For more information about global ACCESS opportunities and local programs, go to ajc.org/access or contact Rebecca Neuwirth at neuwirthr@ajc.org.

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