named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Join a Shul in Israel
Enables individual donors in North America to financially support specific Reform or Conservative congregations in Israel, with options for personal engagement such as virtual aliyahs and yartzeit commemorations
Twinning Congregations
Establishes formal partnerships between North American and Israeli congregations when ten or more members from a North American congregation support the same Israeli congregation
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Jewish Religious Institution Support 3 activities
- Expands funding access for Israeli progressive congregationsWorks to increase financial resources available to Reform and Conservative congregations in Israel beyond movement-provided support by identifying funding sources, planning fundraising events, conducting solicitations, and building corporate partnerships.
- Facilitates donor-congregation connections and twinning relationshipsAdministers the “Join a Shul in Israel” program, processing contributions from North American donors and transferring funds directly to designated Israeli congregations. Establishes formal twinning relationships when 10 or more donors from one North American congregation support the same Israeli congregation.
- Provides financial and operational support to Reform and Conservative congregations in IsraelDistributes grants to over 110 Reform and Conservative synagogues in Israel, most with fewer than 100 member families, through individual contributions and pooled donations. Ensures 100% of donor-designated funds reach congregations by covering administrative costs separately.
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Jewish Leadership Development 2 activities
- Strengthens organizational and volunteer leadership capacityProvides training and support to employees and volunteers of nonprofit organizations in fundraising activities. Builds volunteer leadership in Jewish pluralism, forming core groups to advance Jewish renewal, as demonstrated in the Megiddo region.
- Supports community development and Jewish renewal in regional IsraelServes 1,000 individuals across multiple kibbutzim and localities in the Megiddo region through a progressive Jewish renewal initiative. Established Megid Haruach, a registered nonprofit offering a non-traditional congregational model for Jewish families in the region.
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Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
- Delivers direct religious and educational programming in IsraelConducts Kabbalat Shabbat services integrating Jewish tradition with contemporary Hebrew and Israeli music, Torah study, and life cycle celebrations. Operates a public school program in Holon for over 200 children aged 3–12, teaching Jewish literacy, social justice, compassion, and non-violent conflict resolution.
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Organizational Sustainability Management 1 activity
- Provides centralized administrative services for congregationsHandles organizational development, website operation, supporter engagement, information distribution, contribution processing, fund transfers, and reporting for Israeli Reform and Conservative congregations.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advances religious pluralism through legal and municipal advocacyAdvocates for expanded civil marriage options outside the Orthodox Rabbinate and for public transportation on Shabbat. Secured a court-ordered land allocation in Holon for Israel’s first Reform center and achieved the first municipal land grant to a Reform community without litigation in 2019.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.77M
Contributions & grants$1.77M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.83M
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$1.82M
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$16K
Cash$16K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$16K
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +3.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 2
- HARRY GREENWALD — DIRECTOR
- JEFFREY D MACKLIS — PRESIDENT
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Government — Epstein served a three-year shlichut (emissary) term with this organization in New York City.
- Conservative Movement Network — Supports Israeli Conservative congregations as part of a broader movement for religious pluralism.
- Holon’s City Hall Government — Collaborating with city officials and legal teams to finalize building plans for the first Reform center in Holon following a court-ordered land allocation.
- IRS Government — Registered as a 501(c)(3) organization since 2004
- Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism Network — Directly supports the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism through its congregational network.
- Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism Partner — Direct partner in supporting Reform congregations in Israel through KBY's network.
- Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism Partner — Provided feedback on the KBY idea during initial meetings
- Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) Partner — National partner providing support to the Reform Community of Shoham.
- Israeli Federated United Way Partner — David Maeir Epstein held a leadership position in this organization.
- Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism Network — Member of the national network promoting progressive Jewish values and practices in Israel.
- Jerusalem Association for Neighborhood Self-Management Partner — David Maeir Epstein held a leadership position in this organization.
- Jerusalem Center for Community Leadership Development Partner — David Maeir Epstein held a leadership position in this organization.
- Jerusalem Post Partner — Source of cited article on Jerusalem Municipality removing synagogue list.
- Jewish Federations Partner — David Maeir Epstein held leadership positions in Jewish Federations.
- Jewish People Policy Institute Partner — Conducted survey on Israeli religious identity cited in support of pluralism efforts.
- Laura Solomon, Esq Partner — Legal counsel for KBY, responsible for filing IRS Form 1023
- Leo Baeck Education Network Partner — References the Leo Baeck high school in Haifa and its attempt to expand to Jerusalem as part of the broader struggle for progressive Jewish institutions in Israel.
- Masorti (Conservative) Movement Partner — Cites publications and campaigns from the Masorti Movement in support of religious pluralism in Israel.
- Masorti Movement Network — Supports the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel through its congregational network.
- Masorti Movement Partner — Direct partner in supporting Conservative congregations in Israel through KBY's network.
- Masorti Movement in Israel Partner — Provided feedback on the KBY idea during initial meetings
- Megid Haruach Partner — KBY Congregations Together supports the Reform Community in Megiddo through funding the Megid Haruach Jewish Renewal organization.
- Reform Movement Network — Supports Israeli Reform congregations as part of a broader movement for religious pluralism.
- Reform and Conservative Congregations in Israel Partner — Recipient of organizational support from KBY Congregations Together Inc.
- Reform and Conservative movements Network — Aware of and indirectly related to the KBY campaign, though not formally enlisted in the project.
- Resource Development for Non-Profits Partner — Organizational consultant to KBY
- Shoham Municipality Government — Municipal partner that allocated land to Ve’Ahavta for its permanent community building.
- Times of Israel Partner — Source of cited news articles on religious pluralism in Israel.
- Union for Reform Judaism Partner — Aligned with leadership statements from URJ supporting progressive Jewish life in Israel.
strategies · 4
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.
- Digital Engagement for Sustained Connectionmethodology: digital-engagement-networkBy using digital platforms and communication tools to maintain ties between Diaspora supporters and Israeli congregations, KBY sustains engagement over distance because ongoing interaction reinforces personal connection and accountability.
- Direct Personal Linkage Modelmethodology: direct-personal-congregation-linkageBy creating direct personal and financial connections between North American donors and specific Israeli congregations, KBY increases donor engagement and targeted support because relational ties foster long-term commitment and empathy beyond transactional giving.
- Equitable Distribution via Centralized Strategymethodology: equitable_distribution_through_centralized_placementBy guiding donors to allow centralized allocation of funds, KBY ensures equitable distribution—especially to smaller or geographically marginalized congregations—because strategic placement corrects market biases and strengthens the broader movement rather than only high-profile communities.
- Religious Pluralism Through Institutional Supportmethodology: religious_pluralism_advocacyBy strengthening non-Orthodox Jewish congregations in Israel, particularly Reform and Conservative movements, KBY fosters religious pluralism because institutional viability leads to greater societal recognition and provides a meaningful alternative for secular or disengaged Jews.