The Jewish Agency American Section (JAAS) is a New York-based advocacy group that aids other nonprofits involved with programs such as assisting members of the Jewish community immigrate to the State of Israel (known as “Aliyah”), teaching Hebrew and Jewish culture, and providing training for Jewish youth. 1
JAAS is a part of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Jewish Agency), an organization based in Jerusalem. 2 The Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council (JAFINA), based in New York, was a related organization of the Jewish Agency – American Section through tax year 2010. 3 The World Zionist Organization, based in New York, was a tax-related organization of the Jewish Agency American Section through tax year 2018. 4
Funding
The Jewish Agency American Section is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While JAAS does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Morris and Sylvia Trachten Family Foundation ($44,500 in 2022), 5 the National Ramah Commission ($30,000 in 2015), 6 and the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles ($18,137 in 2018). 7
Spending
According to its tax filings, in 2022, the Jewish Agency American Section contributed more than $4.5 million to the Jewish Agency for Israel in support of the Jewish Agency’s U.S.-based programs. The Jewish Agency is a Jerusalem-based nonprofit that supports the immigration and settlement of Jews in Israel. Funding from JAAS supports social welfare and health services, educational programs including Hebrew language and Jewish cultural studies, absorption into agricultural settlements and other immigrant housing, and youth training programs. 8 Tax filings also confirm that through tax year 2017, some of JAAS’ largest contributions went to Hillel International, to enhance the activism of young professionals in the areas of social justice and international human rights. 9
Board of Directors
Arthur Sandman is the former executive vice president of the Jewish Agency American Section and currently works as the chief operating officer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Sandman formerly worked as associate executive vice president of program services at the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey and executive director of management and budget at the UJA-Federation of New York. 10
David Brandwein is the chief financial officer, president, and chair of the board of JAAS, 11 and the vice president of finance at the Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council. 12
Other members of the board include vice president Melissa Levinson and secretary Sivan Voda. 13
References
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part III, Line 1.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Schedule R, Part II.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2010, Schedule R, Part II.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Schedule R, Part II.
- Morris & Sylvia Trachten Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
- National Ramah Commission, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2015, Schedule I, Part II.
- Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Schedule I, Part II.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part III, Line 4a.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Schedule I, Part II.
- “Arthur Sandman.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 14, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-sandman-55057512/.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.
- “Who We Are.” Jewish Agency for Israel – North American Council. Accessed September 14, 2024. https://www.jafina.org/who-we-are/.
- The Jewish Agency – American Section Inc., Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.