Foundation for Jewish Heritage

What Foundation for Jewish Heritage does

Foundation for Jewish Heritage is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1162111) founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, working internationally to preserve Jewish architectural heritage sites — synagogues, cemeteries, monuments and places of cultural significance — that are at risk through neglect, natural forces or human actions. Its work is organised around four pillars: Research (building inventories of at-risk sites, including 3,347 historic synagogues across Europe, 368 sites in Iraq and Syria, and 1,700 cemeteries in seven Eastern European countries), Advocacy (campaigning for protective designations such as the Conservation Area around Bevis Marks Synagogue and the Scheduled Monument status for York's Jewbury cemetery), Expertise (providing feasibility studies and professional guidance to congregations such as Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, Sandys Row Synagogue and Bevis Marks), and Resources (securing grant funding for capital projects such as the £6 million Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre at the purchased Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue).

The Foundation's "products" are programmatic initiatives rather than commercial offerings: flagship site restorations (Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre at Merthyr Tydfil, Middle Street Synagogue in Brighton), international research/conservation projects (Jewish Cemeteries in Europe, Jewish Heritage of Iraq & Syria, Historic Synagogues of Europe), the Moreshet pan-European heritage cities network, an educational programme using cemeteries as outdoor classrooms, and a proposed European Jewish Heritage Awards Scheme. It has no proprietary technology; technical work is delivered through staff expertise in conservation planning and project management, supported by a board including Sir Simon Schama, Simon Sebag Montefiore and Prof David Latchman CBE.

The Foundation's revenue model is philanthropic rather than commercial: a mix of individual donations and legacies (processed via PayPal), institutional grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, European Union, Architectural Heritage Fund and Pilgrim Trust, and cross-border fundraising through affiliated 501(c)(3) and Canadian registered charity entities ("American Friends" and "Canadian Friends"). It pursues an event- and partnership-driven go-to-market model, combining high-profile dignitary visits, community open days, conferences, and direct institutional partnerships with local authorities and synagogue congregations. The organisation operates with 1-10 employees and has no pricing or product-sales model.

Name

Foundation for Jewish Heritage

Legal name

Foundation for Jewish Heritage

Website

https://foundationforjewishheritage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage is a UK-registered charity that works internationally to preserve Jewish architectural heritage sites — synagogues, cemeteries and monuments — through research, advocacy, professional expertise and grant-funded restoration projects in partnership with congregations, governments and heritage bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The Foundation raises funds through individual donations, bequests/legacies, and special fundraising campaigns. It operates dedicated donation pages with PayPal integration for online contributions.
2. Trust and Foundation Grants: The Foundation secures grants from institutional funders including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, European Union, Architectural Heritage Fund, Pilgrim Trust, and various charitable trusts for specific preservation projects.
3. International Friends Organizations: The Foundation has affiliated organizations in the USA (American Friends - 501(c)(3)) and Canada (Canadian Friends - registered charity) that raise funds locally for the Foundation's work.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage is a UK-registered charity that works internationally to ensure that important Jewish architectural sites, monuments, and places of cultural significance in danger are preserved and re-imagined for a sustainable future. It delivers this through four pillars: research (creating inventories of Jewish heritage sites and identifying those at risk), advocacy, professional expertise for vulnerable sites, and securing resources and funding for preservation projects.

Product overview

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage operates as a single integrated charitable organization focused on preserving Jewish architectural heritage and cultural sites. Its portfolio comprises multiple programmatic initiatives including the Historic Synagogues of Europe research and preservation program, the Jewish Cemeteries in Europe preservation initiative, and the Jewish Heritage of Iraq and Syria mapping project. The Foundation also leads flagship site-specific restoration projects including the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre (being developed at Merthyr Tydfil synagogue) and the Middle Street Synagogue restoration in Brighton. Additionally, it runs advocacy programs such as the Moreshet international heritage network, educational initiatives for Jewish cemeteries, and various feasibility studies for potential heritage centres. All programs are unified by the organization's mission to preserve, advocate for, and re-imagine Jewish heritage sites for sustainable futures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Historic Synagogues of Europe A research and preservation initiative that maps and supports historic synagogues across Europe (3,347 sites mapped post-1945), identifying sites at risk and developing sustainable solutions for vulnerable buildings through advocacy and professional guidance.
• Jewish Cemeteries in Europe A preservation program focused on Jewish cemeteries across Europe, working with partners to protect, document, and preserve these sites as educational resources and cultural heritage landmarks.
• Jewish Heritage of Iraq and Syria An initiative that mapped 368 Jewish heritage sites in Iraq and Syria, assessing their current state and exploring possibilities for post-conflict preservation of the most important sites.
• Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre A major heritage centre being developed at the former Merthyr Tydfil synagogue (purchased in 2019) to present 250+ years of Welsh Jewish history, culture, and contribution, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund (£6 million flagship project) and Welsh Government.
• Middle Street Synagogue Project A feasibility and restoration project for the Grade II* listed Victorian synagogue in Brighton (opened 1875), working with Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation to develop plans for a Jewish Cultural Centre.
• Sandys Row Heritage Centre Feasibility A feasibility study exploring the potential for Sandys Row Synagogue (oldest surviving Ashkenazi synagogue in London) to incorporate a heritage centre focused on the Jewish East End experience.
• Moreshet Network An international consortium creating a network of cities and towns across Europe containing significant Jewish heritage, collectively examining best practices and addressing issues in heritage management and presentation.
• Jewish Cemeteries Education Initiative EU-funded initiative exploring how Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe can serve as 'outdoor classrooms' for educating pupils on Jewish heritage and the Holocaust across seven countries.
• European Jewish Heritage Awards Scheme A proposed awards scheme to recognize and celebrate volunteer heritage champions making significant contributions to Jewish cultural heritage preservation across Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 368 Jewish heritage sites mapped in Iraq and Syria
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Council of EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation appointed as expert body to guide Council of Europe research initiative examining the state of Jewish heritage in Europe. Report approved by Council's Parliamentary Assembly.
• American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to map Jewish heritage of Iraq and Syria, assess current state, and explore post-conflict preservation possibilities. Project funded by Thomas S. Kaplan and Daphne Recanati Kaplan Family.
• European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative (ESJF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in EU-funded initiative to preserve and promote awareness of 1,700 Jewish cemeteries in seven Eastern European countries.
• CentropacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in EU-funded Jewish cemeteries preservation project. Co-led 'Integrating Jewish Heritage into the Educational System' conference in Krakow.
• Brighton & Hove Hebrew CongregationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwners of Middle Street Synagogue partnering with Foundation to assess building and identify viable future use. Foundation conducting feasibility study and steering committee work.
• Sandys Row SynagoguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned Foundation to undertake feasibility study exploring heritage centre concept focused on Jewish East End experience.
• Corporation of LondonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning authority of City of London that unanimously voted to create protective Conservation Area around Bevis Marks Synagogue following Foundation-supported campaign.
• Moreshet Network (European cities and towns)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consortium including Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain creating pan-European forum of cities with significant Jewish heritage to share best practice and address preservation challenges.
• Merthyr Tydfil County Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing funding and support for Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre project at Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue.
• Bangor UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner co-hosting workshop on Welsh Jewish heritage with WJCC team, sponsored by Bangor University with funding from Wales Innovation Network.
• Spitalfields TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust managing Grade II* listed former Princelet Street Synagogue, invited Foundation to contribute to discussions on future use of the site.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centropa: Direct consortium partner in the EU-funded Jewish cemeteries preservation project. Operates Jewish heritage education and oral-history programs across Central/Eastern Europe with shared donor and partner network.
• Spitalfields Trust: UK trust that rescues and reuses historic buildings in London's East End, including Princelet Street Synagogue. Highly comparable niche focus on endangered historic (including Jewish) buildings in the UK.
• European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative (ESJF): Direct consortium partner of the Foundation in the EU-funded Eastern European cemeteries preservation project. Specializes in surveying, securing, and rehabilitating Jewish cemeteries, with overlapping donor base and methodology.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust: UK's largest conservation charity, holding and managing heritage properties. Comparable grant-and-advocacy operating model and fundraising scale, though broader scope than Jewish heritage specifically.
• English Heritage: UK statutory body that manages and funds preservation of historic sites and buildings. Comparable heritage-funding mandate at much larger scale; potential partner/competitor for UK-listed Jewish heritage assets.
• World Monuments Fund: Global nonprofit that identifies and preserves endangered cultural heritage sites worldwide. Directly comparable mission of advocacy, expertise, and project funding for at-risk heritage sites, though broader than Jewish heritage.
• Historic England: UK public body that advises on listing, designation, and conservation of historic sites. Directly comparable expertise function on Jewish heritage sites such as Jewbury and Bevis Marks; the Foundation already engages its CEO.
• Aga Khan Trust for Culture: Major international foundation funding historic-site restoration, conservation, and cultural revitalization across Muslim societies. Comparable scale of multi-country heritage grantmaking, advocacy, and project management.

Regional players

• Yad Vashem: Israel-based Holocaust remembrance and Jewish heritage institution with strong research, education, and advocacy functions. Overlaps in educational programming around Jewish history and heritage, though focused on Holocaust memory rather than built heritage.
• Council for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland: Polish nonprofit focused on preserving Jewish heritage sites, cemeteries, and monuments in Poland. Highly comparable mission and operating geography in Eastern Europe where the Foundation runs its EU cemetery project.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/JewishheritageF
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLM15qPhtMgMcORkyRllLNQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/foundationforjewishheritage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-jewish-heritage
• Instagraminstagram.com/foundationforjewishheritage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Jewish Heritage