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Aleph-Alliance for Jewish Renewal

EIN 23-2081703 · Philadelphia, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ALEPH fully embraces a contemporary egalitarian Judaism as a profound spiritual practice social transformer, reaching beyond religious boundaries institutional structures worldwide. ALEPH brings spiritual vitality passion into the daily lives of Jews through programs that empower leadership, build multiracial multiethnic communities.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 54%
Employees
20
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$130,186, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. The ALEPH Ordination Program offers professional, graduate-level training, leading to ordination for Rabbis, Cantors, and Rabbinic Pastors and the Hashpaah Training Program for Jewish Spiritual Directors. The program continued to grow in FY 2024-2025 welcoming eight new rabbinical students, one new cantorial student, and one new Rabbinic Pastor student. The Hashpaah Program is in its eighth cohort with eight new students including three who are already enrolled in another AOP track. The AOP program ordained ten students, eight rabbis one hazzan., and one rabbinic pastor. Total enrollment for the AOP is about 93 students. AOP also includes Smicha Week, the ALEPH Ordination Program Study Week.
  2. $78,488 spent. The Retreats and Training programs provide opportunities for deepening Jewish transformative experience and expression for spiritual seekers, as well as Jewish educators, teachers, and trainers. Retreats, training, and professional development programs include Kol Zimra Chant Leaders Training and SOULIFT Retreats.
  3. $415,398 spent. ALEPH acts as the Fiscal Sponsor for communities and programs which are aligned with ALEPHs mission.
  4. Program Service Expenses 210,966, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 164,573 Other Program Services
  5. Program Service Expenses 425,603, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 413,478 The ALEPH Kallah is an exciting week-long gathering of many hundreds of clergy, students, lay leaders, educators and seekers, together steeping in Renewal learning, prayer, art, dance, yoga, meditation and other inspiring programs taught by gifted teachers. As the quintessential Renewal experience, Kallah is the place to network, build community, immerse in cutting-edge innovation, delight in diverse modalities of spirituality, and feed the mind, heart and soul.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on February 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on December 15, 2011.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.