GOALS AND PRINCIPLES
The goal of Areivim USA members is to assist families in which a parent has passed away
leaving orphaned children with little or no means of support. The program was designed by
Rabbanim and askanim who recognize that the mass fundraising campaigns which often are
arranged for such families lead to much needless humiliation and pain. In addition, the costs of
such campaigns, which can include appeals, parlor meetings, print and web advertising, and
mailings, are prohibitive; and the results are often disappointing. Areivim USA presents a better
and more efficient alternative.
The collective goal of Areivim USA members is to collect and set aside a fund of up to $150,000
for each never-married child under the age of thirty-two, and for every widow/widower left
with three or more unmarried children. The funds from each collection are placed into a secure
trust fund account.
Areivim USA is
not life insurance. It is a community charity fund voluntarily funded by fellow
Areivim USA members. Halachically, it is a tzedakah fund, and all contributions are subject to
the laws of charity. All funds contributed to Areivim USA can be donated from maaser money.
This includes contributions made when collections are arranged due to the passing of an
Areivim USA member, r"l.
In the event of, G-d forbid, a large number of member deaths in a short period of time, such as
those due to mass casualty events, or circumstances such as war, epidemics, pandemics,
natural disasters, accidents, etc., Areivim USA will consult with its Rabbinical Board on proper
procedures, and will follow the Rabbinical Board's decisions as to whether and to what extent
to undertake any collections.
Upon joining Areivim USA, members waive the rights to sue or submit legal claims against
Areivim USA (or any successor thereto), its Rabbinical Board, or any of its directors, officers,
agents, contractors, volunteers, or employees for any reason, including the failure or refusal to
initiate collections. There are no oral agreements or other commitments between Areivim USA
and its members, and no such oral agreements or commitments shall be given any legal effect.
Any applicant who submits false or misrepresented information, or who otherwise does not
meet the Terms and Conditions of Areivim USA, will be disqualified from membership. If false
or misrepresented information comes to light after the member's acceptance to the group,
membership will be terminated immediately and retroactively, with the member receiving no
benefits from membership. Past contributions of the member will not be returned.
Membership applications must be completed in their entirety in order to be considered for
eligibility. No application will be accepted without valid credit card or bank information.
Enrollment
There is no sign-up fee to join Areivim USA and there are no mandatory charges. Voluntary
contributions will only be solicited in the event of the passing of a member, r"l.
Each family is considered one unit and will be asked to contribute a single contribution per
orphan or eligible widow/widower. In the event of the passing of a member or their spouse,
and upon application by the surviving spouse or by a family member, Areivim USA will initiate
its evaluation process on behalf of the family. Widows, divorcees, and single parents are also
eligible to become members.
The Rabbinical Board of Areivim USA has determined that collections will not be undertaken on
behalf of survivors of members who were in ill health when they applied for membership, as ill
health is defined by the Rabbinical Board.
Eligibility for Areivim USA membership is contingent upon the full disclosure of medical
conditions and history at the time of application. All applicants must complete the “medical
history” section of the application and sign that the information provided is true. Applicants
with any medical condition may be required to submit documentation and records for review
by the Rabbinical Board, which may consult with medical professionals. The Rabbinical Board
will determine membership eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Failure to disclose a medical condition may disqualify the applicant from having a collection
undertaken on their behalf. A collection will not be initiated on behalf of any family that did not
include disclosure of medical conditions at the time of application.
Spouses of applicants who are deemed ineligible may join Areivim USA independently, provided
that they are in good health, as outlined above. Collections will be arranged only in the event of
the eligible spouse's passing.
Areivim USA will request medical records upon a member's passing to determine whether a
fund should be collected.
Membership begins only on or after the date a Certificate of Membership, which includes the
member's personal membership number, is issued. Members pledge to voluntarily contribute
to all collections after their acceptance, unless they opt out of donating.
If an applicant is eligible for membership, contributions may be made by a separate donor on
the member's behalf, provided that the member completes the entire application process
including medical history and is accepted into Areivim USA. For example, parents may make
payments for their married children in the program, schools may make payments for their staff,
etc.
Membership in Areivim USA is nontransferable and may not be sold, transferred, inherited, or
acquired in any manner other than through the standard application process.
Members will be notified prior to any voluntary collection by Areivim USA, via the contact
information they have provided, and may choose to opt out of any such collection by notifying
Areivim USA within 48 hours.
It is the responsibility of members to notify Areivim USA of any changes to address, email
address, telephone number, or bank/credit card information.
Membership rights may be terminated at any time if pledges are not paid in a timely fashion.
Areivim USA on behalf of its members will determine the amount of funds raised and
distributed per orphan, based on an evaluation of need, as determined through predetermined
criteria.
The Rabbinical Board is authorized to make policy changes to Areivim USA, should it be deemed
necessary. In all cases of dispute, Areivim USA will call upon its Rabbinical Board to serve as
arbitrators. The decisions of the Rabbinical Board are final.
Residents of Israel are excluded from membership. Areivim USA limits membership to persons
who are Torah observant.
Applicants commit themselves to all terms and conditions by signing this application.
Contributions
In the event of a member death, each family will be asked to voluntarily contribute a one-time
sum for each eligible orphan, as well as for the surviving spouse, if there are three or more
never-married children under age thirty-two in the household. The collection amount will
depend on the size of the group. Spousal collections will be made only for current spouses of
the deceased.
The collection target of $150,000 per orphan or eligible widow/widower is based on a minimum
group membership of approximately 15,000.
Areivim USA will not ask members to contribute more than forty-two dollars in any given
month.
The bereaved family's funds will be overseen and distributed by trustees comprised of an
Areivim USA representative, a representative of the family, a financially proficient individual
selected by the family, and a rabbinical advisor.
Individuals who do not intend to benefit from Areivim USA's group program may still join as
donor members. Such members can join the collection by completing the Program Registration
Form and selecting the desired donation per orphan.
Privacy Policy and Messaging Terms
Areivim USA respects your privacy. We collect only the information necessary to process
membership, communicate with members, and carry out our mission.
Use of Phone Numbers and Personal Information
- Phone numbers provided to Areivim USA are used solely for sending membership-
related updates, contribution notifications, and important program announcements.
- We do not sell, rent, or share your phone number or personal information with any
third party except as required by law.
- Your data is stored securely and accessed only by authorized personnel.
SMS and Email Messaging
- By providing your phone number and/or email address, you consent to receive
messages from Areivim USA related to your membership, contributions, and program
updates.
- Message frequency may vary depending on program needs but will generally not exceed
4–6 messages per month.
- Message and data rates may apply.
- You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any SMS message. To get help, reply
HELP or email us at [email protected].
- Opting out of SMS will not affect your membership status; you will continue to receive
required communications by other means (such as email or mail).
Contact Information
If you have questions about our Terms, Privacy Policy, or Messaging practices, you may contact
us:
[email protected]
(877) 827-3484
