The Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council (JAFINA) is a New York-based advocacy group created to support the activities and programs of the Jewish Agency for Israel (Jewish Agency), a Jerusalem-based nonprofit that supports members of the Jewish community emigrating and settling into the State of Israel. ¹

JAFINA claims that its funding helps support curriculum that allow Jewish people to experience Israel through short and long-term programs. These include bringing Israeli culture to Jewish communities in the U.S. through emissaries (known as “shlichim”) and assisting members of the Jewish community in immigrating to Israel (known as “Aliyah”). Additionally, JAFINA assists Israelis deemed vulnerable including at-risk youth, victims of terrorism, and new immigrants. ¹

The Jewish Agency – American Section, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Israel Aliyah Center, and the World Zionist Organization – American Section are all formerly tax-related organizations of JAFINA. ^{2 3}

Funding

The Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While JAFINA does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Adelson Family Foundation ($5.15 million in 2022), ⁴ the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit ($5.12 million in 2022),  ⁵ and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($2.35 million in 2021). ⁶

Spending

According to its tax fillings, in 2022, the Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council contributed more than $36 million to nonprofit organizations in Israel focused on immigration to Israel (Aliyah), Israel-emissary programs (shlichim), and educational experiences in Israel. ⁷  According to additional tax filings, between 2017 and 2022, some of JAFINA’s largest contributions went to Hillel International ($1.95 million in 2017), to further programs supporting Jewish identity and knowledge of the State of Israel for students. ⁸

Board of Directors

Isabelle Nadler Teplitsky is the president of Jewish Agency for Israel North American Council. Nadler formerly worked as campaign director of the Young Leadership Division of the UJA-Federation of New York. ⁹

Rachel Hoffer is the chair of the board of both JAFINA and the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix. ¹⁰

Other members of the board include Seth Greenberg, David Brandwein, Joshua Rubenstein, Richard Broder, Diana Anderson, Gita Berk, Martine Fleishman, Seth Greenberg, Andrew J. Groveman, Jonathan Halper, Kim Heiman, Michelle Hirsh, Julee Landau, Julie Wise Oreck, Ronald A. Paul, Charles Pulman, Debbie Rovner, Joshua Rubenstein, Lecia Sud, Peter Weitzner, and Jackie Sprinces Wong. ¹

1. Who We Are.” Jewish Agency for Israel – North American Council. Accessed September 14, 2024. https://www.jafina.org/who-we-are/.
2. ^[1] Jewish Agency for Israel – North American Council, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2010, Schedule R, Parts II and IV.
3. World Zionist Organization – American Section, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2010, Schedule R, Part II.
4. Adelson Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
5. Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Schedule I, Part II.
6.  Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021, Schedule I, Part II.
7. The Jewish Agency – North American Council, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2022, Part III, Line 4a.
8.  The Jewish Agency – North American Council, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Schedule I, Part II.
9. “Isabelle Teplitsky.” LinkedIn. Accessed September 14, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-teplitsky-93093928/.
10.  “Leadership & Staff.” Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix. Accessed September 14, 2024. https://phoenixcjp.org/who-we-are/leadership-staff.