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AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE KIEV JEWISH COMMUNITY
AIRMONT, NY · EIN 113527658 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q33 · International Affairs · Medium ($1M-$10M) · jewishkiev.org
revenue
$8.7M
expenses
$8.6M
net assets
$2.5M
employees
0
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

TO SOLICIT AND ACCEPT CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS WHICH WILL BE USED TO PROMOTE JEWISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AND TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL AID IN UKRAINE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Jewish community organization in Ukraine focused on education, religious life, and security for Jewish populations amid regional instability. Operates schools, yeshivas, and camps while advocating for Jewish safety in the face of antisemitic threats. Led by Chief Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, it supports a network of institutions serving thousands of Jewish children and families across Ukraine.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.15M
    TO ASSIST UKRAINIAN IMMIGRANTS WITH JEWISH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Cheder
Ivrit b’Ivrit school for 60 boys and girls aged 4–13, following Israeli curriculum with Hebrew instruction and provision of daily meals
Kiev Shomrim
Volunteer self-defense group organized under Chief Rabbi Bleich to protect Jewish sites and community members from antisemitic attacks in Kiev
Kindergarten
Serves 70 children aged 1.5–6 with bilingual Hebrew and Ukrainian instruction in Jewish traditions, Torah stories, and aleph-beis through songs and games
Morasha - Jewish Initiative Center
Community center promoting Jewish identity and education; details of specific programs not specified on page
Orach Chaim Kiev Jewish Day School
Full Limudei Kodesh and secular academic program for about 300 students, including free meals, textbooks, transportation, and extracurricular Jewish activities
Ronald Lauder Camp Shuva
Summer camp serving around 400 children annually, offering Jewish education, outdoor life, and nutritious food, with volunteer counselors from around the world
Yeshiva
Provides Jewish studies for adults at various commitment levels, with group and individual classes taught by shlichim of Orach Chaim, reinforcing Jewish identity across generations
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
    • Advocating against antisemitism propaganda
      Conducted coordinated efforts with U.S. Jewish communities and the organized Jewish community in Ukraine to counter Russian propaganda and false claims about antisemitism in Ukraine.
  • Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
    • Establishing Jewish community centers and educational facilities
      Opened the Professor Vladimir Shifrin Kiev Jewish Educational Center, a multifunctional hub supporting community and educational programs.
  • Jewish Dual-Curriculum Education 1 activity
    • Operating Jewish educational institutions in Ukraine
      Runs a network of Jewish educational institutions in Kyiv, including a licensed day school serving approximately 300 students with full religious and secular curricula, free meals, textbooks, and transportation; a bilingual kindergarten for 70 children; a Cheder program for 60 children; and adult Jewish studies classes. Also founded Yeshiva Orach Chaim and Orach Chaim Children's Homes, all licensed by Ukrainian authorities.
  • Orthodox Jewish Ritual Bath Operations 1 activity
    • Operating kosher facilities in Kyiv
      Operates the first and only kosher hotel in Kyiv, which includes a kosher restaurant, a multifunctional hall for 200 guests, and a mikvah. Also constructed and maintains a modern mikvah built to strict Halachic standards.
  • Ukraine War Humanitarian Relief 1 activity
    • Providing emergency aid to displaced Ukrainians
      Operates a temporary shelter at the Podol Inn hotel in Kyiv for displaced persons, provides food vouchers, shelter, food, financial assistance, medical aid, and operates a 24-hour hotline. Also offers recreational activities for children and internet access for adults through a student center.
  • Jewish Youth Summer Camps 1 activity
    • Providing summer camps for Jewish children
      Established and operates Machane Shuva, the first Jewish summer camp in Ukraine, with a permanent campground located 60 km from Kyiv purchased in 2002. The camp serves an average of 400 children annually.
  • Holocaust Survivor Support Services 1 activity
    • Supporting Holocaust survivors and elderly care
      Founded and operates an assisted living facility in Kyiv for Holocaust survivors, which opened in 2005 and accepted its first residents that year.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Building Jewish communal infrastructure in Ukraine
      Founded the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine (1992) and co-founded the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (1999); works to develop institutional infrastructure for Jewish communities, including cultural, educational, and religious organizations.
    • Organizing Jewish community security forces
      Established a rapid intervention force composed of Ukrainian Jews with military or martial arts backgrounds to prevent anti-Semitic attacks; planned deployment in Kyiv to protect Jewish sites during commemorative events. Also organizing and training the Kiev Shomrim volunteer security group, funded through donations.
    • Producing and distributing kosher matza
      Produces over 250 tons of kosher matza annually for Pesach, with a daily production capacity of four tons, and distributes it across Ukraine and exports to Jewish communities in former Soviet states and countries including Great Britain, France, Germany, and Argentina.
    • Restoring and operating synagogues
      Rededicated the restored Kiev Podol Synagogue and opened the renovated Bais Yaakov Galitsky Synagogue, expanding religious infrastructure for the Jewish community in Kyiv.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.66M
Contributions & grants$8.64M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$21K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$8.57M
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead1%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$8.33M
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$2.46M
Cash$1.47M
Investments$956K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$2.46M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
7 years on record · 2018–2024 · YoY revenue +0.9%
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • American Friends of the Kiev Jewish Community Network — UJCEEA is associated with the American Friends of the Kiev Jewish Community
  • Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Partner — Organizing the Kiev Shomrim under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine.
  • Council of Churches and Religious Organizations of Ukraine Network — Member organization since 1998.
  • European Jewish Congress Network — U.J.C.E.E.A. is represented in international Jewish bodies including the European Jewish Congress
  • International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Funder — Provided funding assistance for the establishment of an assisted living facility for Holocaust survivors in Kyiv.
  • Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Network — Founded by the Kiev Jewish Community to represent Ukrainian Jews locally and abroad.
  • Jewish Ukrainian Encounter Network — Member of the Advisory Board since 2011.
  • Kiev's Main Synagogue Partner — Hotel is located near the synagogue, indicating a geographic and likely organizational connection.
  • Lauder Foundation Partner — Partnered with the Lauder Foundation to purchase a summer camp facility in 2002.
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Government — Receiving authorization and support from the Ukrainian authorities, including training access and registration assistance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  • Podol Inn Partner — Provides lodging as a temporary shelter for displaced persons.
  • Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich Partner — Collaborated with Rabbi Bleich to form the defense force at his request and operates in coordination with his leadership.
  • Stoliner Rebbe Partner — Appointed Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich to lead the Kiev Synagogue.
  • The Great Choral Synagogue Partner — Hotel is situated near this synagogue, suggesting a strategic alignment with the Jewish community's central institutions.
  • U.J.C.E.E.A. Partner — Supports the Jewish community in Ukraine and European Jewish life
  • Ukrainian Jewish Encounter Partner — Partnered in awarding the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Award and promoting interethnic ties.
  • United States Jewish communities Partner — Coordinated with Ukrainian Jewish communities to counter Russian propaganda about antisemitism.
  • World Jewish Congress Network — U.J.C.E.E.A. is represented in international Jewish bodies including the World Jewish Congress
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.

  • Community-Led Security as Protective Belonging
    methodology: community-led security
    By establishing community-based security forces, we increase safety and belonging for Jewish communities because localized, trusted protection fills gaps in state response and strengthens collective identity and resilience.
  • Comprehensive Community Revival
    methodology: comprehensive community revival
    By rebuilding education, welfare, and religious infrastructure together, we restore Jewish life in Ukraine because holistic restoration addresses the root causes of communal decline and enables sustainable continuity.
  • Integrated Location and Symbolic Engagement
    methodology: community-integrated_location
    By situating services near religious institutions and using culturally resonant symbols like matza production, we deepen engagement because physical proximity and shared rituals lower barriers to participation and strengthen Jewish identity.
  • Rabbinic Network Deployment for Religious Revival
    methodology: rabbinic_network_deployment
    By deploying rabbinic leaders through established Hasidic networks, we reignite religious life in Kiev because trusted spiritual authority and institutional continuity enable rapid, authentic community rebuilding.
  • Transnational Advocacy Against Disinformation
    methodology: transnational advocacy network
    By coordinating communication and advocacy across U.S. and Ukrainian Jewish networks, we counter antisemitic disinformation because unified, cross-border messaging increases credibility, reach, and resilience against narrative attacks.