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MACHON CHANA WOMENS INSTITUTE

BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 113307109 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE X30P · Religion-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · machonchana.org
revenue
$490K
expenses
$554K
net assets
$218K
employees
10
program ratio
82%
mission · from form 990

ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER JEWISH WOMEN WHO ARE SEEKING TO EXPLORE THEIR JEWISH HERITAGETHE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A STATE OF THE ART HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOL WHICH PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE BACKROUND IN JUDAIC STUDIESTHE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A SUPERVISED DORMITORY WHICH ENABLES THE STUDENTS TO FULLY EXPIRENCE AND ACHIEVE A JEWISH LIFESTYLETHE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS VARIOUS SUMMER PROGRAMS IN THE MOUNTAINS TEACHING JEWISH HERITAGE

profile · synthesized from sources

Machon Chana Women's Institute is a Brooklyn-based yeshiva founded in 1972 as the first full-time women's baalas-tshuva seminary in America. It provides comprehensive Jewish education in Torah, Chassidus, and Jewish law for women of all ages and backgrounds, with full-time, part-time, and online programs. The institute supports students through housing, mentorship, and spiritual guidance, fostering personal growth and the building of observant Jewish homes.

named programs · 9 · from sources

What they call their work

Chabad Gap Year
One-year program in New York for high school graduates to explore Jewish heritage and history
Dual Degree Program
Partnership with YIEP and Bellevue University allowing students to study Jewish studies in the morning and online courses in the afternoon
Full-Time Seminary
Two-year intensive yeshiva program offering comprehensive Jewish studies including Chumash, Jewish Law, Chassidut, and Jewish Home, for women of all ages and levels
Housing Assistance
Support for students finding apartments and roommates in Crown Heights
Job Placement
Assistance in finding part-time, summer, and post-graduation employment suitable to students' skills and talents
Online Degree Program
Remote adult education program offering flexible study in Jewish studies for graduates and those unable to attend in person
Part-Time Learning
Evening and Sunday classes for working women, students, and mothers, covering topics from Kabbalah to practical Halacha and marriage readiness
Sidduchim Assistance
Mentorship and introductions to help students and alumnae find appropriate marriage partners through a global network of Shadchanim
Yeshivacation
Summer and winter intensive programs offering 6 weeks or 10 days of immersive learning, self-discovery, and personal growth in Torah and Chassidic teachings
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Jewish Dual-Curriculum Education 3 activities
    • Accredited Jewish studies certification
      Offers a Teaching Certificate and a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies to students who complete required coursework, supporting professional development in Jewish education and communal leadership.
    • Dual degree program with academic partner
      Partners with YIEP and Bellevue University to offer a dual degree program combining morning Jewish studies with afternoon online academic coursework, enabling students to pursue both religious and secular education concurrently.
    • Two-year full-time yeshiva program
      Offers a comprehensive two-year, full-time yeshiva program with daily classes from Sunday to Thursday, providing in-depth Jewish education in subjects including Chumash, Jewish Law, Jewish History, Chassidut, Prophets, and Jewish Home. The program culminates in a Seminary Diploma and foundational preparation for Jewish life.
  • Alumni Community Building 1 activity
    • Alumnae engagement and leadership development
      Engages alumnae through monthly gatherings with rabbis, and supports their roles as professionals and role models in Jewish education and outreach. Over 15,000 alumnae contribute to Jewish continuity worldwide, with many holding senior positions in communal service.
  • Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 1 activity
    • Enrichment programming and guest lectures
      Hosts weekly farbrengens with renowned guest lecturers, Shabbatons, field trips, and educational tours throughout the Northeastern United States to enhance religious learning, community engagement, and spiritual inspiration.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
    • Financial accessibility and tuition support
      Provides tuition support and financial arrangements to ensure no accepted student is denied admission due to financial constraints, serving dozens of young women regardless of ability to pay.
  • Jewish Advanced Torah Education 1 activity
    • International student enrollment and outreach
      Enrolls international students from North America, South America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Israel, and Eastern Europe, who make up approximately half of the student body, offering full- and part-time Torah study programs on a year-round or semester basis.
  • Kosher Meal Services 1 activity
    • On-campus student support services
      Provides daily cooked meals (breakfast, lunch, supper), housing assistance in Crown Heights, Shabbos and Yom Tov meal arrangements with host families, and communal Friday night meals to support student well-being and integration.
  • Jewish Women's Spiritual & Social Circles 1 activity
    • Part-time and flexible Jewish learning programs
      Provides part-time, short-term, and flexible Jewish learning options including evening classes, Sunday programs, and online courses for women of all ages and backgrounds. These programs accommodate working women, students, and young mothers and are offered year-round across multiple semesters.
  • Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 1 activity
    • Seasonal immersion programs (Yeshivacation)
      Offers seasonal intensive learning programs, including a six-week summer program and a ten-day winter program around Chanukah, focused on Torah study, self-discovery, personal growth, and spiritual awakening through lectures, classes, and workshops.
  • Religious Marriage Matchmaking Services 1 activity
    • Shidduch and post-graduation support
      Supports students and alumnae in finding appropriate shidduchim by connecting them with local Shadchanim and assists with introductions and mediation. Also provides job placement assistance for part-time, summer, and post-graduation employment opportunities.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$490K
Contributions & grants$258K53%
Program service revenue$195K40%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$37K
expenses
Total expenses$554K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$195K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.08M
Cash$631K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3.86M
Net assets$218K
Liquid reserves13.7 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -15.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

board members · 3
  • Kalman Weinfeld — MEMBER B.O.D
  • RIVA TELESHEVSKY — SecTY
  • SARA LABKOWSKI — President
relationships · 10

Who they work with

  • Bellevue University Partner — Partners to offer a dual degree program combining Jewish studies with online academic coursework.
  • Bellevue University Partner — Partners to offer a dual-degree program combining seminary studies with a bachelor's degree.
  • Lubavitcher Rebbe Partner — Founded Machon Chana in response to the Rebbe’s call and maintained ongoing guidance, approval, and personal involvement in its development.
  • Rabbi J.J. Hecht Partner — Established a formal working relationship to support Machon Chana's spiritual and operational development, with Rabbi Hecht taking on a "Z’vulun" role of material support.
  • Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson Partner — Machon Chana was named in honor of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, whose legacy the institution continues.
  • Rebbitzen Chana Partner — School is named in honor of Rebbitzen Chana, mother of the Rebbe.
  • Shadchanim network with Chabad centers throughout the world Partner — Collaborates with a global Shadchanim network connected to Chabad centers to support shidduchim for students and alumnae.
  • YIEP Partner — Partners with Machon Chana and Bellevue University to offer dual degree opportunities for women students.
  • Yeshiva Initiatives Education Program Partner — Collaborates to facilitate dual-degree opportunities for Jewish students through university and seminary partnerships.
  • info@machonchana.org Partner — Primary contact point for student inquiries and communication regarding applications and interviews.
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.

  • Barrier-Free Access Model
    methodology: financial_access_guarantee
    By offering flexible scheduling and individualized tuition arrangements, the institute increases participation in Torah study because removing structural (time) and financial barriers enables broader access, particularly for adult and part-time learners.
  • Chassidic Mentorship Model for Spiritual Transformation
    methodology: mekarev baalei tshuva
    By combining personal spiritual mentorship (mashpiim/rabbis), a warm chassidic environment, and integration into a peer network of fellow baalei-tshuva, the institute supports lasting religious commitment because relational and communal belonging are central to sustaining spiritual growth.
  • Experiential and Participant-Centered Engagement
    methodology: experiential_education
    By combining experiential education (e.g., regional tours) with interactive, participant-driven gatherings, the institute deepens Jewish identity because lived experience and personal relevance generate stronger emotional and cognitive engagement than didactic instruction alone.
  • Holistic Torah Integration
    methodology: balanced ruchnius and gashmius
    By integrating Torah study with personal development, spiritual growth through mitzvah observance, and balance between spiritual (ruchnius) and practical (gashmius) life, the institute produces more sustainable religious engagement because learning is connected to real-world identity and daily practice.
  • Intensive Immersive Learning
    methodology: intensive immersive learning
    By providing structured, multi-modal Jewish education (lectures, skill-building, tutorials), the institute fosters deep engagement with Torah and Jewish life because immersive formats produce stronger retention and spiritual connection than passive learning.