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AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ITIM INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 262249073 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T30 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Small ($100K-$1M) · en.itim.org.il
revenue
$997K
expenses
$913K
net assets
$1.7M
employees
0
volunteers
5
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ITIM, INC., WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE JEWISH CULTURE AND RELIGION.

profile · synthesized from sources

ITIM is an Israeli nonprofit advocacy organization that helps individuals navigate the country's religious bureaucracy around key life events such as marriage, conversion, burial, and immigration. Founded in 2002 by Rabbi Seth Farber, the organization provides free guidance and legal support, advocates for systemic policy reform, and operates the Giyur K’Halacha Conversion Court Network as an inclusive alternative to state-run conversion processes. ITIM serves both Israeli citizens and members of the Jewish diaspora.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Giyur K’Halacha Conversion Court Network
Offers an Orthodox, non-governmental conversion process that is meaningful, supportive, and inclusive for individuals seeking to join the Jewish people in Israel
ITIM Assistance Center
Provides free information, guidance, and problem-solving support for individuals navigating state-administered Jewish life issues including marriage, conversion, burial, and immigration
ITIM-Reiter Family Internship Program
Summer internship for North American college students involving research, mentoring, and fieldwork in religion-and-State issues, public policy, and social activism in Israel
Legal Center
Provides free legal counseling and takes legal action to protect civil rights, promote Jewish pluralism, and ensure equality under the law in matters of religion and state
Public Policy Center
Monitors government policies, issues position papers, participates in Knesset hearings, and leads public education campaigns to reform religion-and-State policies in Israel
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
    • Advocacy for Jewish pluralism and reform of state religious policies
      Monitors and challenges Israeli state policies on Jewish life issues through legal action, policy papers, Knesset participation, and public campaigns. Advocates for recognition of diverse Jewish identities, gender equality, civil marriage, and reform of the Rabbinate.
  • Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
    • Internship program for North American students in Jewish law and public policy
      Runs an internship program for North American college students focused on religion-and-state issues, Jewish law, and public policy. Includes mentoring, research, and hands-on work in ITIM’s core programs.
  • Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
    • Legal advocacy and representation in religion-and-State matters
      Provides free legal counseling and direct representation to individuals navigating complex religion-and-State systems in Israel, including high-profile cases brought before the Supreme Court. Focuses on civil rights, Jewish pluralism, and equality under the law.
  • Halachic Guidance and Education Services 1 activity
    • Operation of Giyur K’Halacha Conversion Court Network
      Runs a non-governmental Orthodox conversion court network established in 2015, providing Israeli citizens with a supportive and inclusive pathway to convert to Judaism. Offers individualized guidance, representation, and access to state-recognized rabbis and courts.
  • Immigration Legal Services 1 activity
    • Support for immigration to Israel
      Provides guidance and documentation support to individuals seeking to immigrate to Israel, including connecting them with state-recognized rabbis and rabbinical courts, assessing required documentation, and facilitating faster processing through the Interior Ministry.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Free assistance with marriage, conversion, and burial services in Israel
      Provides free guidance and support to individuals navigating state-administered Jewish life processes including marriage, conversion, and burial in Israel. Services include document review, procedural clarification, and connecting individuals with state-recognized authorities.
    • Hotline support for navigating religious bureaucracy
      Operates a hotline offering personalized guidance and problem-solving assistance to individuals dealing with Israel’s religious bureaucracy across life events including marriage, conversion, burial, and immigration.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$997K
Contributions & grants$949K95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$48K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$913K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead1%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$900K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.65M
Cash$797K
Investments$856K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.65M
Liquid reserves21.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -10.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 6
  • ALEXANDRA ALPEROVICH — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANIEL CONWAY — TREASURER
  • DAVID SABLE — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEVEN PRETSFELDER — PRESIDENT
  • SUSAN FADER — VICE PRESIDENT
  • WILLIAM LIPSEY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 10

Who they work with

  • Assistance Center Hotline Partner — Provides direct support services to individuals in Israel.
  • ITIM Network — AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ITIM INC supports ITIM as its U.S.-based fundraising and awareness partner.
  • Israel's Interior Ministry Government — Subject of legal action initiated with ITIM's support
  • Israeli Army Partner — Collaborates with the Israeli Army's Nativ program to support conversion processes
  • Israel’s religious establishment Partner — Collaborates with Israel's religious establishment to improve access and responsiveness to Jewish life.
  • Kipa Partner — Co-organized and co-presented the 2021 Religion-and-State Debate with Kipa, an Israeli religious news website.
  • Kiryat Gat Partner — Interns traveled to Kiryat Gat to meet with leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community, including Rav Sharon Shalom and Keis מנטסנוט אלי וונדה.
  • PEF Israel Endowments Partner — Accepts donations designated for ITIM from U.S. donors.
  • UIA Canada Partner — Processes donations for ITIM from Canadian donors.
  • UK Toremet Limited Partner — Processes donations for ITIM from UK donors.
strategies · 3

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.

  • Alternative Service Provision and Bureaucratic Navigation
    methodology: alternative_service_provision
    By offering accessible, free, and personalized alternatives to state-controlled religious services, we increase participation in Jewish life because removing procedural and institutional barriers enables broader inclusion regardless of background.
  • Donor-Facilitated Support Model
    methodology: donor-advised_giving
    By operating through a U.S.-based nonprofit affiliate, we enable tax-efficient giving that increases donor participation and funding for religious pluralism initiatives in Israel, because financial accessibility strengthens transnational support networks.
  • Legal and Systemic Advocacy for Religious Pluralism
    methodology: legal_and_policy_advocacy
    By combining targeted legal action with policy advocacy, public education, and institutional engagement, we produce systemic change in Israel's religion-and-state policies because sustained reform requires both individual rights protection and structural transformation.