The Tajtelbaum Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £570,811 (charitable activities, 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: UK (particularly Orthodox Jewish communities) and Israel
• Total Assets: £8,315,713

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 832, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 9PY, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8202 3464

Website: None

Email: Not publicly available

Note: No website or formal application portal is available. The trust appears to operate through direct contact and established community networks.

Overview

The Tajtelbaum Charitable Trust was established on April 27, 1977, following a Settlement dated August 22, 1974, by Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Tajtelbaum, a Holocaust survivor from Golders Green, London. The trust has total assets of approximately £8.3 million and distributes around £570,000 annually in grants. The charity's mission is focused on the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion and the relief of poverty and sickness within Jewish communities. The trust has a particular historical connection to the Gerrer Hasidic community, having provided substantial support to Gerrer institutions both in the UK and Israel. Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Tajtelbaum, who passed away in May 2004, was known for his extensive philanthropy, including supporting the transformation of Arad in southern Israel into a Jewish community hub. His son, Rabbi Mendel Tajtelbaum, continues the family's philanthropic tradition through the trust.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal named grant programs. Instead, it makes grants on a discretionary basis aligned with its charitable objectives. With an annual giving of £570,811 in charitable activities, the trust appears to make multiple grants throughout the year, though specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed.

Application Method: Applications appear to be handled through direct contact rather than a formal online portal or standardized application process.

Priority Areas

• Advancement of Orthodox Jewish Religion: Support for synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish study halls, and religious education programs, particularly within the Orthodox and Hasidic communities
• Relief of Poverty: Assistance to individuals and families in need within Jewish communities
• Relief of Sickness: Support for healthcare and welfare services for those who are ill
• Gerrer Hasidic Community: Historical strong support for Gerrer institutions in both the UK and Israel
• Israeli Causes: Funding for Jewish communities and institutions in Israel

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on the trust's specific religious focus:

• Non-Jewish religious organizations
• Secular causes unrelated to Jewish community welfare
• General public appeals outside the Jewish community
• Political organizations

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (as recorded)

• Emanuel Tajtelbaum
• Shoshana Tajtelbaum
• Hannah Prager
• Mordechai Kahn

All trustees serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust employs no staff with benefits exceeding £60,000.

Family Legacy

The trust was founded by Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Tajtelbaum, who was described as an originator of Torah thoughts and insights. According to accounts of his life, he “almost singlehandedly helped the Gerrer Rebbe, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Alter (the Lev Simchah), transform the city of Arad in southern Israel into a Jewish metropolis.” The Elstree & Borehamwood Eruv in London is dedicated to his memory.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Tajtelbaum Charitable Trust does not maintain a website or formal online application portal. Based on the trust's operational style and focus, applications are likely handled through:

• Direct written applications to the registered address
• Community referrals through established Orthodox Jewish networks
• Trustee connections within the Gerrer and broader Orthodox communities

Prospective applicants should send written requests including:

• Organization name and charity registration number (for registered charities)
• Description of the project or need
• Amount requested
• How the request aligns with the trust's focus on Orthodox Jewish religion, poverty relief, or sickness relief

Address for applications: PO Box 832, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 9PY, United Kingdom

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As with many family trusts, trustees likely meet periodically to review applications, but specific meeting schedules are not published.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No information is available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's specific focus and operational style, the following factors are likely to influence application success:

• Strong alignment with Orthodox Jewish values: Projects that advance Orthodox Jewish religious observance and education
• Connection to the Gerrer community: Historical funding patterns show particular support for Gerrer Hasidic institutions
• Direct community impact: Programs that directly relieve poverty or sickness within Jewish communities
• UK and Israeli focus: Geographic concentration in areas where the trust has established connections
• Established organizations: As a private family trust, they may prefer supporting known organizations within their community networks
• Clear charitable purpose: Well-defined projects that align with the trust's three core objectives (religion, poverty relief, sickness relief)

Key considerations:

• The trust appears to operate in a traditional philanthropic model common among Orthodox Jewish family trusts, where personal relationships and community standing may play significant roles
• The trust's substantial investment income (£391,906) and continued donations received (£377,907) indicate ongoing active management and community engagement
• Organizations with established track records in serving Orthodox Jewish communities may be viewed more favorably

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Specific religious focus: This trust is specifically designed for Orthodox Jewish causes; applications from non-Jewish organizations are unlikely to succeed
• No formal application portal: Be prepared to submit traditional written applications via post with full supporting documentation
• Community connections matter: Established relationships within Orthodox Jewish communities, particularly Gerrer networks, may facilitate consideration
• Historical funding patterns: The trust has a track record of supporting major infrastructure projects (such as the development of Arad in Israel) as well as ongoing religious and welfare programs
• Patient approach required: Without published timelines or feedback mechanisms, applicants should be prepared for potentially lengthy decision processes
• Private family trust model: This is not an open grantmaker like a foundation; it operates based on family philanthropic values and discretionary decision-making
• Financial stability: With £8.3 million in assets and balanced income from both investments and donations, the trust has long-term sustainability

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Tajtelbaum Charitable Trust (Charity No. 273184): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=273184
• Fundraiso - The Tajtelbaum Charitable Trust: https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/the-tajtelbaum-charitable-trust
• The Jerusalem Post - “Gerrer UK donor cuts funding for hassidic group over split”: https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Gerrer-UK-donor-cuts-funding-for-hassidic-group-over-split-606662
• Chazaq.org - “The Unexpected Guest” (biographical information about Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Tajtelbaum): https://chazaq.org/articles/2016-01-20-10-21-28/119-English/2354-The-Unexpected-Guest
• Financial data from most recent Charity Commission filing (Year ending April 5, 2024)