The Israeli-American Council (IAC) Boston is the local branch of the Israeli-American Council, a national Zionist lobbying and propaganda organization which has been heavily funded by conservative Zionist donors including Sheldon Ableson. IAC Boston provides training and resources aimed at assisting US college students and community members to disseminate Zionist propaganda. According to their website, IAC Boston "Provides the tools and training to help support Israeli-Americans become effective advocates for Israel in their communities, workplaces, on social media and on campuses," including tools and trainings on "countering BDS."
As part of this effort to "counter BDS," IAC Boston operates a cyber media war room, "The Boston Media Room," in partnership with the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and the Israeli university IDC Herzliya. IAC Boston claims that "The goal of the program is to promote a positive influence on the international public opinion towards the State of Israel via social media platforms," by providing "physical spaces for training and activating volunteers to take part in local online pro-Israel activities." IAC Boston further notes about the Boston Media Room: "Under the guidance of volunteer mentors from the fields of research, journalism, hi-tech, and education, a hand-picked group of Student Ambassadors (ages 16-24) will represent an elite public diplomacy team, developing Israel awareness campaigns and reactions to local anti-Israel and BDS activity while training and engaging a wider community of volunteers (all ages) to join their efforts."
IAC Boston also run "Hasbara Workshops" (their term) through which they "share methods on how to respond to tough questions, reconcile gaps in opinions and views, focus on facts vs. myths and on how to showcase Israel’s beauty and world contribution." IAC Boston uses their "Israel Academic Forum," led by academics from the Boston area, to "Spread a broader, positive image of Israel" and to "Cultivate a community of academics in the Greater Boston area. Empower the pro-Israel academic community." IAC Boston claims that the Israel Academic Form places value upon "being apolitical," while also stating "We welcome everyone who believes in Israel." IAC-Boston also run a fellowship program called IAC Mishelanu, through which IAC Boston works to cultivate "pro-Israel leadership" on a numerous Boston Area college campuses, including Boston University, Brandeis University, Northeastern University, and UMass Amherst.
IAC Boston worked with other Boston area Zionist lobbying and propaganda groups, including the JCRC, ADL, AJC, and CJP, to mobilize opposition to a 2021 effort to pass a BDS policy order in Cambridge, MA. Similarly, IAC Boston played a role in mobilizing support for multiple (unsuccessful) attempts over the past decade to pass anti-BDS legislation in the state of Massachusetts, legislation which (had it passed) would have imposed civil and/or criminal penalties upon Massachusetts residents and businesses who chose to engage in political boycotts of Israel.
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Aptima, Inc. CEO Daniel Sarfaty is the Co-Chair of the Israeli-American Council Boston.
IAC Boston runs a fellowship program called IAC Mishelanu on several Boston area college campuses, including Boston University. IAC Boston claims that IAC Mishelanu aims to cultivate "pro-Israel leadership" on Boston area college campuses.
IAC Boston is runs a fellowship program called IAC Mishelanu, through which they aim to cultivate "pro-Israel leadership" on several Boston area college campuses, including Brandeis University.
Fidelity Charitable anonmymous funneled funds into the Israeli-American Council in FY19, according to Fidelity Charitable's 990 form from that year.
David Fine who serves on the Regional Council of the Israeli-American Council Boston is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Friends of the IDF New England.
Shira Ruderman who serves on the Regional Council of IAC Boston is listed as an Honorary Trustee of Gann Academy.
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) is an Institutional Partner of The Israel Summit.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) New England, JCRC, and CJP have tried to get the Newton Public Schools to change their curriculum. According to a joint statement by ADL, JCRC, and CJP, released in 2019, Newton distinct officials have met with ADL to review the latter's concerns regarding "antisemitic" materials being used in the curriculum - and the officials were favorable to the changes: "In 2017, following a curriculum review, ADL met with Newton district officials and they agreed to make changes based on a number of basic principles that we outlined."
However, the Zionist groups then found that "one teacher" was still using the curriculum that these NGOs objected to, but after exerting more pressure, the school had apparently relented: "This past spring, thanks to our advocacy, combined with the Israel American Council organizing parents and working directly with teachers, the school changed the program and Israel was prominently and positively featured throughout the day."
The founding organzier the Boston Branch of TechAviv, Gil Zimmermann, also serves as a Regional Board Member of the Israeli-American Council Boston.
Isaac Edry serves on the Reginonal Council of the Israel-American Council Boston, and serves on the Boston Board of Directors of the Jewish National Fund New England Region.
The Israeli-American Council Boston collaborates with Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) to run "The Boston Media Room," a cyber "war room" which, according to IAC Boston, aims to "promote a positive influence on the international public opinion towards the State of Israel via social media platforms," by providing "physical spaces for training and activating volunteers to take part in local online pro-Israel activities." IAC Boston further notes about The Boston Media Room: "Under the guidance of volunteer mentors from the fields of research, journalism, hi-tech, and education, a hand-picked group of Student Ambassadors (ages 16-24) will represent an elite public diplomacy team, developing Israel awareness campaigns and reactions to local anti-Israel and BDS activity while training and engaging a wider community of volunteers (all ages) to join their efforts."
From fiscal years 2007-2020, Combined Jewish Philanthropies funneled $298,495 from its donors to the Israeli-American Council (IAC).
David Fine who is a founding member and a Regional Council Member of the Israeli-American Council Boston currently serves on the Board of Directors of Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Iris Schor who is a Regional Council Member of the Israeli-American Council Boston currently serves as Chair of CJP's Boston Haifa Jewish Education and Identity Committee.
The Israeli-American Council Boston is a member organization of the JCRC of Greater Boston. David Shimoni who currently serves on the Boston Regional Council of the Israeli-American Council Boston also served a "Council Member" of the JCRC of Greater Boston from September 2018 through June 2020.
The Jewish Arts Collaborative received support from IAC BIMA for "Taste of Israel 2022," a week-long event organized by JAC which featured Boston area restaurants serving and promoting "Israel’s diverse culinary landscape." Events like "Taste of Israel" glorify Israel while whitewashing the realities of Israel's colonial subjugation of Palestinians and systematic theft of Palestinian land and resources.
IAC Boston is runs a fellowship program called IAC Mishelanu through which they aim to cultivate "pro-Israel leadership" on several Boston area college campuses, including Northeastern University.
Ruderman Family Foundation Executive Director Shira Ruderman serves on the IAC Boston Regional Council and is an IAC Council Member in the national IAC.
The Israeli-American Council Boston states on their website that the Ruderman Foundation provides support for the "The Boston Media Room," a cyber "war room" which, according to IAC Boston, aims to "promote a positive influence on the international public opinion towards the State of Israel via social media platforms," by providing "physical spaces for training and activating volunteers to take part in local online pro-Israel activities." IAC Boston further notes about The Boston Media Room: "Under the guidance of volunteer mentors from the fields of research, journalism, hi-tech, and education, a hand-picked group of Student Ambassadors (ages 16-24) will represent an elite public diplomacy team, developing Israel awareness campaigns and reactions to local anti-Israel and BDS activity while training and engaging a wider community of volunteers (all ages) to join their efforts."
The Synagogue Council of Massachusetts collaborates with the Israeli-American Council Boston as well as the Consulate General of Israel to New England to maintain the "Israel Resource Forum," which according to IAC Boston "serves to connect Synagogue leaders who serve on Israel related committees with each other, and with key organizations and resources in the community."
IAC Boston is runs a fellowship program called IAC Mishelanu through which they aim to cultivate "pro-Israel leadership" on several Boston area college campuses, including UMass Amherst.