Agudath Israel of America

What Agudath Israel of America does

Agudath Israel of America is a national 501(c)(4) Orthodox Jewish advocacy and community services organization founded in 1922 and headquartered at 42 Broadway in New York City. The organization operates through 11 state and regional offices (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New England, New Jersey, New York, Ohio) and a newly opened Washington DC federal affairs office near the U.S. Capitol. Its programmatic portfolio spans three pillars: religious liberty and government affairs advocacy (including Supreme Court amicus briefs in RLUIPA cases and direct state legislative engagement); Torah and educational initiatives led by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah council, the Daf Yomi Commission, and programs like Masmidei HaSiyum and Ki Heim Chayeinu; and community services including summer camps (Camp Agudah, Camp Bnos), youth programming (Pirchei, Bnos, Yahalom), legal services (Agudah Legal Network), senior care (Zahav), affordable housing (SBCO), special needs support, and employment training.

The organization does not have proprietary technology products; its "platform" is a distributed human network of attorneys, rabbis, educators, and volunteer advocates coordinated across regional offices, supplemented by 12+ branded websites and digital properties (agudah.org, theagudah.org, thesiyum.org, etc.) and social media channels. As a tax-exempt nonprofit, it does not charge for its core advocacy services and instead relies on donations, fundraising campaigns (e.g., the Keren Yeshuah relief fund), membership programs, and program-related revenue from events and camps. Key quantified outcomes include $150 million-plus in New Jersey FY2027 state support secured for nonpublic school programs, $32.55 million in nonpublic school security aid, and the Supreme Court's decision to hear Grand v. City of University Heights following Agudath Israel's amicus brief.

Name

Agudath Israel of America

Legal name

Agudath Israel of America

Website

https://agudah.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Agudath Israel of America is a 501(c)(4) Orthodox Jewish advocacy organization, founded in 1922 and headquartered in New York City, that protects religious liberty through 11 state offices and a federal affairs office while delivering community services including Torah education, summer camps, legal aid, youth and senior programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Advocacy and Community Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Governance, Democracy & Rule of Law (BPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Religious advocacy
• Community services
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Government affairs
• Religious education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a nonprofit organization, Agudath Israel of America relies on donations from community members and supporters. The organization conducts fundraising campaigns including the Keren Yeshuah relief fund.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Agudath Israel of America is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that advocates for the Orthodox Jewish community through federal and state government affairs, religious liberty litigation (including Supreme Court amicus briefs), and a network of community service programs. It runs Torah educational initiatives, summer camps, youth programs, senior services, legal aid, employment training, and yeshiva support services across 11 state offices and a Washington DC federal affairs office.

Product overview

Agudath Israel of America is a religious and community organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of advocacy, educational, and social services programs for the Orthodox Jewish community. The organization operates through a network of Torah leadership (Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Conference of Shul Rabbanim), government affairs offices at federal and state levels, legal services (including the Agudah Legal Network), and community support services spanning youth programming, senior services, employment training, special needs support, and affordable housing. Key programs include Daf Yomi Talmud study, the annual Agudah Convention and Siyum celebration, Yeshiva Summit conferences, and summer camps. The organization actively engages in religious liberty advocacy through Supreme Court amicus briefs and legislative efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah: Council of Torah sages providing spiritual leadership and guidance
• Conference of Shul Rabbanim
• Daf Yomi Commission
• Torah Projects
• Agudah Convention
• The Siyum
• Chayim Aruchim
• Agudah Legal
• Yahalom
• Zahav
• SBCO

Products and services

• Federal Affairs Advocacy Federal government relations and advocacy office engaging with Congress and federal agencies on policy issues affecting the Orthodox Jewish community, including religious liberty, nonpublic school funding, and security programs.
• Office of State Relations State-level government relations and advocacy across 11 states, representing the Orthodox Jewish community on legislation related to religious schools, child care assistance, and security funding.
• Religious Liberty Litigation Advocacy Legal advocacy including filing amicus curiae briefs in Supreme Court cases involving RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) and First Amendment religious freedom rights.
• Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Council of senior Torah sages providing religious guidance and spiritual leadership for the Orthodox Jewish community.
• Conference of Shul Rabbanim Organization of synagogue rabbis providing coordination and support for communal religious leadership.
• Daf Yomi Commission Commission supporting the daily Talmud study program (Daf Yomi), coordinating worldwide completion celebrations and educational initiatives.
• Yeshiva Summit Annual one-day conference for yeshiva administrators, executive directors, and board members providing compliance training, funding navigation, special education support, and networking opportunities.
• Summer Camps (Camp Agudah and Camp Bnos) Seasonal overnight camps for Orthodox Jewish children, participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
• Agudah Legal Network Legal services network connecting Orthodox Jewish community members with attorneys, doctors, and law students who provide pro bono legal services.
• Chayim Aruchim End of Life Services Support services for end-of-life care and related Jewish religious guidance for community members.
• Zahav Senior Citizens Resource Center Resource and referral center specifically serving senior citizens in the Orthodox Jewish community.
• Youth Services (Pirchei and Bnos) Youth programming organizations for boys (Pirchei) and girls (Bnos) providing educational and recreational activities.
• SBCO Affordable Housing Affordable housing initiatives and support services for the Orthodox Jewish community.
• Agudah Convention Annual flagship convention bringing together Orthodox Jewish community members for Torah learning, speakers, and communal gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• $150 million+ in state support for nonpublic school programs secured in New Jersey FY2027 budget
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Jersey State GovernmentcoreOthers · 3 July 2026New Jersey Office secured increased funding for nonpublic school security ($32.55 million), child care assistance ($18 million additional), and other programs totaling over $150 million in state support. Key legislative partners include Assemblyman Avi Schnall, Senator Joe Lagana, and Assemblymembers Gary Schaer, Lisa Swain and Chris Tully.
• Minnesota Religious SchoolscoreOthers · 4 June 2026Agudath Israel asked court to uphold religious school autonomy, filing briefs in cases involving religious liberty protections for schools.
• SACRED Act CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Agudath Israel endorsed the bipartisan SACRED Act (introduced by Congressmen Tom Suozzi and Max Miller) to create 100-foot buffer zones around places of worship. The bill is endorsed by multiple organizations including Anti-Defamation League, Hindu American Foundation, and Islamic Society of North America.
• New York State GovernmentcoreOthers · 16 April 2026Agudath Israel works with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislators to secure funding for nonpublic schools and community security programs. The organization advocated for doubling the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program to $70 million.
• Ateres Bais Yaakov AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2022Agudath Israel filed amicus brief supporting the religious school's lawsuit against Town of Clarkstown for religious discrimination under RLUIPA. The case involves allegations that town officials obstructed the school's zoning application to deny use of land for an Orthodox Jewish school.
• Jewish American Security Act CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBipartisan coalition supporting the Jewish American Security Act (S.4576) introduced by Senators James Lankford and Jacky Rosen, and Representatives Dan Goldman and Mike Lawler. The bill would combat antisemitism on college campuses and invest in security resources.
• Federal Scholarship Tax Credit CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partners including FSTC Coalition, NYS Catholic Conference, Invest in Education, and Teach NYS working with Treasury Department and state governors to implement the federal scholarship tax credit program.
• U.S. Department of the TreasurycoreOthersRabbi A.D. Motzen participated in invitation-only Treasury Department briefing to preview guidance for the Education Freedom Tax Credit (scholarship tax credit) implementation, set to launch January 2027.
• U.S. Department of JusticeminorOthersHarmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, participated in Washington DC office inauguration dinner. Agudath Israel advocates on civil rights matters affecting the Orthodox Jewish community.
• U.S. Supreme CourtcoreOthersAgudath Israel filed amicus briefs in religious liberty cases including Grand v. City of University Heights (home religious gatherings) and Landor v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections (RLUIPA damages). The Court agreed to hear the Grand case.
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm partners Yehudah L. Buchweitz, David Yolkut, and Joshua Halpern provided pro bono legal work on RLUIPA cases including Ateres Bais Yaakov amicus brief.
• Second Circuit Court of AppealscoreOthersAgudath Israel filed amicus brief in Ateres Bais Yaakov case currently on appeal to Second Circuit, arguing the Town of Clarkstown's actions violated RLUIPA.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HIAS: HIAS is the Jewish American nonprofit focused on refugee protection, resettlement, and asylum advocacy. It is comparable to Agudah's Vaad Hatzalah subsidiary-type rescue operations and its broader pattern of providing social services to vulnerable Jewish populations.
• B'nai B'rith International: B'nai B'rith is one of the oldest Jewish service and advocacy organizations, operating across advocacy, senior housing, and community programming. It is comparable to Agudah as a longstanding U.S. Jewish nonprofit with an advocacy footprint and senior-services portfolio.
• Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America: Hadassah is a large, established American Jewish organization with advocacy, education, and programmatic missions. It is comparable to Agudah as a 501(c)(3) Jewish nonprofit that runs advocacy campaigns and community programs alongside sister organizations in the broader Jewish philanthropic landscape.

Direct peers

• American Jewish Committee (AJC): AJC is a global Jewish advocacy organization focused on diplomatic engagement, intergroup relations, and combating antisemitism. Its federal and multilateral advocacy structure and broad donor base overlap materially with Agudah's government-affairs and interfaith coalition work.
• UJA-Federation of New York: UJA-Federation is a major Jewish nonprofit operating in the same New York Orthodox ecosystem, funding Jewish education, social services, and community programs. It is comparable to Agudah in beneficiary profile, geographic concentration, and reliance on Jewish philanthropic dollars.
• Orthodox Union (OU): The Orthodox Union is the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization in North America, providing kosher certification, advocacy, education, and community services. It is the closest direct peer to Agudath Israel in mission, member base, and structural footprint.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL): ADL is a leading Jewish civil rights and advocacy organization that also files amicus briefs, combats antisemitism, and pushes state and federal policy. It is directly comparable to Agudah's Washington and state-level advocacy operations and its coalition work on bills such as the SACRED Act.
• Chabad-Lubavitch: Chabad-Lubavitch runs a global network of rabbinical emissaries, youth programming, and outreach services to Jewish communities. While focused on outreach rather than policy advocacy, it is comparable to Agudah in delivering community programming (camps, youth, education, senior engagement) to Orthodox constituencies across the U.S.

Emerging players

• New York State Catholic Conference: The NYS Catholic Conference is a state-level interfaith advocacy peer that partners with Agudah on nonpublic school funding and scholarship tax credits. It is comparable as a religious-school advocacy organization navigating the same state legislative and funding landscape.
• Rabbinical Council of America (RCA): The RCA is the professional association of Orthodox rabbis in North America. It overlaps with Agudah's Conference of Shul Rabbanim sub-brand and the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah's rabbinical coordination role, and the two organizations frequently collaborate on religious-liberty matters affecting Orthodox communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AgudahNews
• YouTubevimeo.com/user18203534
• Facebookfacebook.com/AgudathIsraelofAmerica
• Instagraminstagram.com/theagudah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agudath-israel-of-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Agudath Israel of America