named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Birthright
10-day free trip to Israel for Jewish young adults aged 18–26, offered in partnership with Israel Free Spirit.
MEOR Israel
Winter and summer study-travel program in Israel focusing on Jewish identity, history, and the significance of Israel to the Jewish people.
MEOR JInternship
Two-month summer program in Jerusalem combining professional internships in fields like medicine, politics, and technology with Jewish studies and personal development.
Maimonides Leaders Fellowship
10-week program for college students featuring weekly classes on Jewish texts and philosophy, social and religious events including Shabbatons, and a cash stipend upon completion.
Sinai Retreats
Two-week summer retreat in the Adirondacks for Jewish students to explore Jewish identity through study, discussion, and outdoor activities.
Study Abroad
Opportunities for students to study at partner yeshivas and seminaries in Israel and the U.S., including Machon Shlomo, Neve Yerushalayim, and Aish HaTorah.
Women’s Programming
Programs led by Mrs. Adina Harkavy offering young Jewish women opportunities to learn and explore Judaism in a supportive, gender-specific environment.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 2 activities
- Specialized Torah and Jewish Studies CurriculumProvides structured educational sessions on core Jewish concepts including monotheism, Torah study, human nature, free will, reward and punishment, love and marriage, gender and modesty, sanctity of life, anti-Semitism, mystical vs. rational traditions, and the purpose of Creation. Instruction includes textual analysis and integrates Kabbalistic and metaphysical perspectives.
- Summer Retreats and Special ProgramsHosts two-week summer retreats for Jewish students to explore identity and meaning, including Sinai Retreats in the Adirondacks. Also offers a one-week Torah study program at a major Jewish learning institute and summer internship tracks in Finance and Medicine for young men.
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Alumni Community Building 1 activity
- Alumni and Community EngagementOffers ongoing programming for alumni in and around NYC to maintain lifelong relationships with former students, including retreats, learning opportunities, and social gatherings. Also organizes outdoor gatherings in American parks for university students and young adults to explore ethics, identity, and spirituality.
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Study Abroad and Global Immersion Programs 1 activity
- International Internship and Study ProgramsOffers full-time professional internships in Israel and the U.S. combined with Jewish learning and Shabbat programs, including a 2-month summer internship in Israel with leadership and career development. Also provides short-term (4- to 6-week) and long-term (semester or year-long) study abroad opportunities at partner institutions in Israel and America, with scholarships including airfare, stipends, and college credit.
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Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
- Israel Experience ProgramsOrganizes and subsidizes short-term educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults, including two-week experiential learning programs during winter and summer recesses, a 10-day free trip for ages 18–26, and a co-ed summer trip combining touring, studying, and accommodations. Programs include in-depth Jewish study, exploration of historical and cultural sites, and Shabbat celebrations in Jerusalem and Safed.
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Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
- Maimonides Leaders FellowshipOffers a leadership development program for students at Cornell and Binghamton Universities, including weekly classes and discussions over 10 weeks, one-on-one Torah learning, and a cash stipend upon completion. The program includes components in Talmudic discourse, Jewish text study, leadership theory, and personal character development.
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Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
- On-Campus Jewish ProgrammingProvides educational, social, and religious programming for Jewish college students at Binghamton University, Cornell University, and other Central NY campuses, including Shabbat and holiday meals, religious services, mezuzah distribution, women-specific learning programs, and one-on-one Torah study tailored to individual students.
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Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Education 1 activity
- Poland Holocaust Education TripsOrganizes one-week educational journeys to Poland during winter recess, including visits to Holocaust sites, historic synagogues, and meetings with survivors and Jewish community leaders. The program explores pre-war Jewish life, the Holocaust, and the revival of Jewish communities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$374K
Contributions & grants$373K100%
Program service revenue$1K0%
Investment income$10%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$340K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead1%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$258K
Grants paid out$1K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$225K
Cash$25K
Investments$0
Liabilities$94K
Net assets$131K
Liquid reserves0.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +9.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHAIM HARKAVY | DIRECTOR | 50 | $121K |
board members · 2
- BENJAMIN SOKOL — PRESIDENT
- ERIC RAVENS — SECRETARY/TREASURER
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Aish HaTorah Partner — Partner institution in Israel and America offering study opportunities for students referred or supported by MEOR.
- Binghamton University Partner — Hosts the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship program.
- Binghamton University Partner — Provides Jewish programming to students at Binghamton University.
- Cornell University Partner — Hosts the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship program.
- Cornell University Partner — Provides Jewish programming to students at Cornell University.
- Darchei Noam Partner — Partner institution in Israel and America offering study opportunities for students referred or supported by MEOR.
- Israel Free Spirit Partner — Partner organization in delivering Birthright trips to Israel.
- MEOR Network — MEOR Upstate is part of the MEOR network.
- MEOR Israel Partner — Collaborates on internship programs that include participation in MEOR Israel activities.
- MEOR Upstate Network — MEOR Poland is organized under MEOR Upstate as part of its educational programming.
- MEOR Vision Partner — Collaborates on programs, including internships, that involve participation in MEOR Vision events.
- Machon Shlomo Partner — Partner yeshiva in Jerusalem operated by MEOR for young men.
- Machon Yaakov Partner — Partner yeshiva in Jerusalem operated by MEOR for young men.
- Midrashet Rachel Partner — Partner seminary in Jerusalem for young women, partnered with by MEOR.
- Neve Yerushalayim Partner — Partner seminary in Jerusalem for young women, partnered with by MEOR.
- Ohr Somayach Partner — Partner institution in Israel and America offering study opportunities for students referred or supported by MEOR.
- Olami Partner — Partner organization providing subsidies for the JInternship program.
- Onward Israel Partner — Partner organization providing subsidies for the JInternship program.
- Shearim Partner — Partner seminary in Jerusalem for young women, partnered with by MEOR.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Education for Identity Formationmethodology: experiential_educationBy combining immersive experiences—such as heritage travel, outdoor retreats, and living Jewish practices—with structured learning, the organization deepens engagement with Jewish identity and spirituality because direct experience fosters deeper emotional and spiritual connection than didactic instruction alone.
- Inclusive Access to Jewish Educationmethodology: inclusive_jewish_educationBy offering Jewish study programs to students regardless of prior knowledge or background, the organization fosters broad engagement because removing prerequisites enables diverse individuals to connect with their heritage on equal footing.
- Integrated Holistic Developmentmethodology: integrated professional and personal developmentBy integrating Jewish learning with professional development, leadership training, and peer-based cohort models, the organization strengthens Jewish identity because embedding faith within personal and professional growth contexts makes it relevant to modern life.
- Personalized Mentorship and Organic Identity Explorationmethodology: organic personal growthThrough one-on-one mentorship and individualized learning pathways, the organization supports organic growth in Jewish identity because personalized engagement respects diverse starting points and fosters authentic, self-directed spiritual development.
- Text-Based Theological and Rational Inquirymethodology: text-based_theological_educationBy grounding students in the study of foundational Jewish texts and integrating rational with mystical traditions, the organization cultivates a coherent and intellectually robust Jewish identity because textual engagement fosters belief formation and critical understanding of faith.