World Monuments Fund

World Monuments Fund was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in New York.

The World Monuments Fund Jewish Heritage Grant Program (JHGP) was "formed in 1988 in response to the widespread neglect of the rich architectural heritage of Jewish communities around the world; the opening of Central and Eastern Europe in 1990 broadened the challenge. Chaired by the Honorable Ronald S. Lauder, the JHGP unites communities worldwide with public and private agencies committed to the protection and preservation of Jewish heritage."

"A period of research and documentation enabled World Monuments Fund (WMF) to assemble an invaluable archive on the condition of Jewish sites in Eastern and Central Europe, and parts of North Africa and Asia. Based on these findings, WMF selected ten synagogues on which to concentrate efforts (based on historical significance, viability, urgency of the need for intervention, and the presence of a local authority to oversee work). These synagogues stand as representatives of hundreds of other threatened Jewish landmarks, as well as thousands more that no longer survive. Several of these synagogues have been saved and WMF continues to advocate for the survival of many more."

"In 2000, World Monuments Fund and The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation announced an expansion of the JHGP with $250,000 in new grants to threatened synagogues in seven countries and a new commitment from The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation in the amount of $500,000 over five years."

Personnel

 * Board of Trustees and Officers.
 * Sangita Jindal
 * Prince Michael
 * Amy Freitag - former US program director

Contact details
95 Madison Avenue, 9th floor New York, New York 10016 Phone: +1 646 424-9594 Fax: +1 646 424-9593 Email: wmf AT wmf.org Web: http://www.wmf.org