The Aleph Institute is a Jewish nonprofit organization that primarily works with prisoners and their families and advocates for criminal justice reform. In addition, the organization works with rabbis in the U.S. military to ensure they are properly trained in Jewish religious matters and to provide religious materials to Jewish personnel. In addition, the institute provides kosher food, religious materials, and holiday supplies to Israeli soldiers who are stationed in the U.S. for training and joint exercises. ¹

In 2020, the organization played a role in advocating for a series of pardons that were issued by then-President Donald Trump. Some of the people who were pardoned or had received commutations had family members who had donated large sums of money to the institute. ²

Background

The Aleph Institute is a Jewish organization that works with Jewish prisoners and Jewish military personnel. It primarily works to ensure those who it calls isolated from the public such as prisoners, members of the U.S. military, and those institutionalized and suffering from drug addiction and mental illness have their religious, spiritual, and educational needs. It also works to support their families while they are incarcerated. ³

The organization also advocates for criminal justice reform. It is an advocate for faith-based rehabilitation programs and reentry assistance to help prisoners avoid recidivism and alternative sentencing programs. It also provides policy research and recommendations. ³

The organization was founded in 1981 by Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipsker at the express direction of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. ³

Criminal Justice Work

The organization hosts an annual summit on alternatives to sentencing and incarceration called Rewriting the Sentence. The summit examines practices and incarceration alternatives that are available in the U.S. and around the world. ⁴

The organization lobbied for the bipartisan federal criminal justice reform legislation known as the First Step Act. The legislation reduced sentences for certain crimes and led to release of numerous prisoners from federal prison. ⁴

In 2013, the organization played a role in persuading Florida to resume offering kosher meals in prisons. The state had stopped serving kosher meals in its prisons. ⁵

Among the services the institute provides are Jewish spiritual and educational services for prisoners. It also provides religious supplies for holidays. It even sets up Jewish libraries for inmates. ⁶

Trump Pardons

In 2020, the organization recommended that then-President Donald Trump pardon five people. One of those pardoned was Philip Esformes, who was dubbed the “king of Medicaid fraud.” Esformes’s family had previously donated $65,000 to the institute. ⁷

Work with U.S. and Israeli militaries

The organization works to provide religious supplies and materials, along with kosher food, to Jewish personnel serving in the U.S. military. It also trains and credentials rabbis in the U.S. military. ³

In January 2023, the organization announced a deal with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that would provide kosher food, religious materials, holiday supplies, and more to Israeli soldiers stationed in the U.S. for training and joint exercises. ¹

Leadership

Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar is the founder and chairman of the organization. ⁸

Rochel Van Etten is the chief executive officer. She was previously the chief operations officer and has been with the organization for over 15 years. ⁸

Funding

According to the 2022 tax return, it had revenues of $9,147,480 and expenses of $9,364,919. It had assets of $152,629. ⁹

1. ^“New IDF-Aleph Institute Alliance Strengthens Israeli-American Bond.” JewishLink, January 19, 2023. https://jewishlink.news/world-us/56466-new-idf-aleph-institute-alliance-strengthens-israeli-american-bond.
2.  ^“Jewish Non-Profit Played Significant Role in Trump Pardons: Report.” Middle East Eye, December 25, 2020. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jewish-non-profit-pushed-trump-pardons-report.
3. “About Us.” The Aleph Institute. Accessed June 12, 2023. https://aleph-institute.org/wp/about/.
4.  Udkoff, Rena. “Aleph Institute to Host National Summit for Alternative Sentencing.” Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters, June 3, 2019. https://www.lubavitch.com/aleph-to-host-national-summit-on-alternative-sentencing/.
5. “Kosher Meals Make a Comeback in Florida.” Correctional News, February 13, 2013. https://correctionalnews.com/2013/02/13/kosher-meals-make-comeback-in-florida/.
6. Rullo, David. “Aleph Institute Provides for More than Prisoners’ Spiritual Needs.” The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, October 15, 2019. https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/aleph-institute-provides-for-more-than-prisoners-spiritual-needs/.
7. [1]^“Jewish Non-Profit Played Significant Role in Trump Pardons: Report.” Middle East Eye, December 25, 2020. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jewish-non-profit-pushed-trump-pardons-report.
8. “Staff.” The Aleph Institute. Accessed June 12, 2023. https://aleph-institute.org/wp/staff/.
9. “Aleph Institute, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed June 12, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/592291627/202340749349300234/full.