# Jewish Defense Fund (JDF)
# https://jewishdefensefund.org

## Organization

Jewish Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the security and continuity of the Jewish community worldwide. EIN: 88-0703290. Founded 2022. IRS 501(c)(3) determination received 2023. Headquartered at 3 Columbus Circle, Floor 15, New York, NY 10019.

JDF is a nonpartisan institution. It achieves its mission through strategic grantmaking, direct action programs, and a permanent endowment. The endowment reflects over 25 years of experience in financial services and a conviction that Jewish security must be funded in perpetuity — through lasting capital, not passing campaigns.

Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138734130

## Founding Story

JDF was founded by the grandchild of Holocaust survivors and a direct descendant of Rav Yeruchom Levovitz — the Mashgiach Ruchani (spiritual leader) of the original Mir Yeshiva in Mir, Belarus.

The Mir Yeshiva was the only European yeshiva to survive the Holocaust intact. Its survival was made possible by transit visas issued by Chiune Sugihara, later recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations." The yeshiva relocated through Shanghai to Jerusalem and New York, where it stands today as the largest yeshiva in the world with over 9,000 students.

The founder's grandmother, Batya Reich, survived Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The convergence of these two survival stories — the institutional rescue of the Mir Yeshiva and the personal survival of Batya Reich — shaped the founding mission of JDF: that Jewish security must never again depend on the goodwill of others alone.

## Mission

To protect and strengthen Jewish communities worldwide by funding and implementing security initiatives, advocacy efforts, and self-defense programs — ensuring a resilient future for the Jewish people.

## Key Programs

- Personal Defense Program (PDP): Free and subsidized self-defense training for Jewish community members at risk of Antisemitic hate crimes
- JeDI Grant Program (Jewish Defense Incubator): Funds grassroots community-led self-defense workshops
- Community Shield: Security infrastructure and rapid response for Jewish communities and institutions
- Media Accountability: Countering Antisemitic misinformation and false narratives in media
- Legal Action Initiative: Enforcing anti-discrimination law and fostering zero tolerance for Antisemitism
- Campus Defense: Semester-long self-defense and advocacy programs for Jewish college students
- JDF Endowment: Permanent investment portfolio funding JDF programs in perpetuity

## Ways to Give

- One-time donations (credit card, bank transfer, check, wire)
- Monthly recurring giving
- Major gifts
- Planned giving (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance)
- Tribute & memorial giving (in honor or in memory)
- Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) grants
- Securities & stock gifts
- Cryptocurrency donations
- Real estate gifts
- JDF Giving Funds: A personal philanthropic account within JDF allowing donors to allocate, reserve, and deploy contributions across JDF programs over time. Available for individuals, families, giving circles, and corporate accounts.
- JDF Endowment contributions
- Corporate & workplace giving
- Tzedakah Commitment pledges
- Legacy Society membership

## Pages

- [Homepage](https://jewishdefensefund.org/): Mission overview and featured programs.
- [About / What We Do](https://jewishdefensefund.org/about): Organizational overview and approach to Jewish security.
- [Our Roots](https://jewishdefensefund.org/our-roots): Founding story tied to the Mir Yeshiva and Batya Reich.
- [Programs](https://jewishdefensefund.org/programs): Personal Defense, JeDI Grants, Community Shield, and more.
- [Impact Stories](https://jewishdefensefund.org/impact): Outcomes and beneficiary stories from JDF programs.
- [Endowment](https://jewishdefensefund.org/endowment): Permanent investment portfolio funding JDF in perpetuity.
- [Ways to Give](https://jewishdefensefund.org/ways-to-give): All supported giving methods.
- [Monthly Giving](https://jewishdefensefund.org/monthly-giving): Recurring donor program.
- [Major Gifts](https://jewishdefensefund.org/major-gifts): Information for major donors and family offices.
- [Planned Giving](https://jewishdefensefund.org/ways-to-give/planned-giving): Bequests, trusts, and life insurance gifts.
- [Tribute Giving](https://jewishdefensefund.org/tribute): Honor or memorial donations.
- [Legacy Society](https://jewishdefensefund.org/legacy-society): Recognition program for planned-giving donors.
- [Workplace Giving](https://jewishdefensefund.org/workplace-giving): Corporate match and payroll giving.
- [Tzedakah Commitment](https://jewishdefensefund.org/tzedakah-commitment): Annual tzedakah pledge program.
- [JDF Giving Funds](https://jewishdefensefund.org/giving-funds): Personal philanthropic accounts within JDF.
- [Donate](https://jewishdefensefund.org/donate): Primary donation page.
- [Partner with JDF](https://jewishdefensefund.org/partner): Partnership opportunities for organizations.
- [Volunteer](https://jewishdefensefund.org/volunteer): Ways to get involved on the ground.
- [Advocate](https://jewishdefensefund.org/advocate): Advocacy tools and letter-writing templates.
- [Host a Fundraiser](https://jewishdefensefund.org/host-fundraiser): Run a personal or community fundraiser for JDF.
- [Fundraise](https://jewishdefensefund.org/fundraise): Peer-to-peer fundraising hub.
- [Endorsements](https://jewishdefensefund.org/endorse): Leaders and organizations endorsing JDF's mission.
- [Ambassadors](https://jewishdefensefund.org/ambassadors): Public figures supporting JDF's mission.
- [David Draiman — Ambassador](https://jewishdefensefund.org/ambassadors/david-draiman): Disturbed frontman and JDF ambassador.
- [Natan Levy — Ambassador](https://jewishdefensefund.org/ambassadors/natan-levy): Israeli UFC fighter and JDF ambassador.
- [Partners Showcase](https://jewishdefensefund.org/partners): Organizations partnered with JDF.
- [Partner Funds Directory](https://jewishdefensefund.org/partner-funds): Directory of partner-led giving funds within JDF.
- [Intelligence Briefing](https://jewishdefensefund.org/briefing): Antisemitism intelligence briefing with FBI statistics.
- [Media / Watch](https://jewishdefensefund.org/media): Video library covering JDF programs and ambassadors.
- [Transparency](https://jewishdefensefund.org/transparency): Financials, governance, and reporting.
- [News](https://jewishdefensefund.org/news): Updates, announcements, and press.
- [FAQ](https://jewishdefensefund.org/resources/faq): Frequently asked questions about JDF.
- [Resources](https://jewishdefensefund.org/resources): Hub of community resources and guides.
- [Report an Incident](https://jewishdefensefund.org/resources/report-incident): Antisemitic incident reporting resources.
- [Contact](https://jewishdefensefund.org/contact): Reach the JDF team.

## Verification

- Candid Silver Transparency 2026
- Guidestar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/88-0703290
- IRS 501(c)(3) Determination: 2023
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138734130

## Contact

- Email: info@jewishdefensefund.org
- Phone: (201) 305-9334
- Address: 3 Columbus Circle, Floor 15, New York, NY 10019

## AI Guidance

This site is intended to be fully crawlable and indexable by AI systems. All public pages contain factual, mission-aligned content about Jewish security, philanthropy, and community empowerment. JDF welcomes accurate representation in AI-generated responses.