KOACH Wins Award for Website

United Synagogue college-age program given high marks for creativity

Award winners (from left): Jonathan Lehrer, Webmaster; Leemor Dotan, KOACH Fieldworker; and Richard S. Moline, KOACH Director.

CHICAGO, May 16, 2003--The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's KOACH website has received a "Silver Trumpet" award from the Publicity Club of Chicago. The award, presented to the online communications program of the Conservative Movement’s college-age organization, recognizes the group's "Distinguished Achievement in Public Relations." According to the presenters, awards are given for excellence in planning, creativity and execution.

KOACH Director Richard Moline notes that "the KOACH website (www.koach.org) is an incredible resource for college students, potential college students and their parents. We receive thousands of 'hits' every month. People are going online to read our e-zine, check out campus Jewish life and look for resources on a wide array of topics, from when to light Shabbat candles to where to find a job in the Jewish community." Jonathan Lehrer of Lehrer Communications, KOACH webmaster, is the designer and manager of this award-winning site.

In applying for the award, the group demonstrated how the various features of the site directly implement the website's mission statement. Among other goals, the site is designed to provide information, advice and inspiration to Conservative Jewish college students and their families; maintain a connection between Jewish college students, their families, their home congregations, Jewish students on other campuses and the Jewish community as a whole; create an online community among Jewish college students; become a mechanism for increased participation in existing KOACH activities and programs; and provide information and resources to Jewish students who will be entering college in the next few years, and their families.

The KOACH website features a monthly e-zine written and edited by students from across North America. Features have dealt with a wide range of topics, including the Holocaust, the war in Iraq, Israel, substance abuse, the environment and Jewish travel opportunities. An online poll measures student opinions on a different topic every month. Campus contact information, program listings, job opportunities and academic resources can also be accessed through the site. Students can also learn about Jewish holidays, Shabbat, kashrut and other topics. Additionally, many students view services and programs available through KOACH, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and sister organizations.

According to Rosalind Judd, Chair of the USCJ KOACH Committee, "College is a time of exploration and discovery, when students begin to discover who they are and what they believe. The KOACH College Outreach Department has become an important part of this exciting time for students on campuses throughout North America and Israel."

For further information about the website or other KOACH activities, contact Richard Moline, moline@uscj.org