Privacy Policy – Eretz Hemdah Website

Last Updated: August 27, 2026

1. General

Eretz Hemdah – Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem (Registered Association), Registration No. 580120780, whose address is 2 Brurya Street, Jerusalem 9318405 (hereinafter: “Eretz Hemdah,” “the Association,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), respects the privacy of users of the website.

This Privacy Policy forms an integral part of the Website Terms of Use. It explains the types of information we may collect or receive in connection with use of the website, how we may use such information, to whom it may be disclosed, how it is stored, and the rights available to users under applicable law.

This Policy applies to information provided through the website, information received in connection with activities carried out through the website, and technical information collected while browsing the website.

Providing information through the website constitutes consent to its collection and use in accordance with this Policy, to the extent that consent is required by law.

When a user is redirected to a website or service operated by a third party, use of that website or service is also subject to the terms of use and privacy policy of that third party.

This Policy is written in the masculine form for convenience only and applies equally to both genders.

2. Types of Information

“Personal Information” means information relating to an identified individual or an individual who can be identified, directly or indirectly, including by means of a name, identification number, contact details, address, online identifier, or other data relating to that individual.

In addition, we may collect or generate statistical, aggregated, or anonymous information that does not reasonably enable the identification of an individual.

Certain technical information may be considered Personal Information, depending on the circumstances and the ability to associate it with a particular user.

3. Information We May Collect

Depending on how the website is used, we may collect or receive, among other things, the following types of information:

• Contact details and information provided through forms, such as full name, email address, telephone number, address, city, country, subject of the inquiry, and the content of the message.
• Documents, images, or files that the user chooses to attach to a form, where such an option is available.
• Information provided when subscribing to Hemdat Yamim or other mailing lists, including full name, email address, telephone number, date and source of registration, and information regarding the opening of messages, clicks on links, or unsubscribe requests.
• Information provided in connection with questions submitted to rabbis and dayanim, including the content of the question, the sender’s details, city or country, attached documents, correspondence, and clarifications.
• Information provided when making a donation, including donor details, donation amount, currency, date, purpose of the donation or dedication, transaction details, and information required for issuing a receipt and handling the inquiry.
• Information provided when purchasing books and publications, including purchaser details, shipping address, details of the person to whom the shipment is intended, order details, transaction amount, shipping fees, and comments.
• Technical information and browsing data, such as IP address, device and browser type, operating system, browser language, date and time of browsing, pages viewed, time spent on the website, actions performed, source from which the user reached the website, and approximate geographic location.
• Any additional information that the user chooses to provide to the Association in connection with an inquiry or action carried out through the website.

4. Voluntary Provision of Information

Unless otherwise stated in a particular form or required by law, users are under no legal obligation to provide Personal Information to the Association, and the provision of such information is voluntary and subject to the user’s consent.

However, without providing the required information, we may be unable to respond to an inquiry or question, process a donation or issue a receipt, complete a purchase or shipment, add the user to a mailing list, or carry out the requested action.

Users are requested to provide information that is accurate, complete, and correct to the extent possible.

A user who provides information concerning another person represents that he or she has obtained that person’s consent or is otherwise authorized to provide the information and act on that person’s behalf.

5. How Information Is Collected and Stored

We may collect information in the following ways:

• Information provided directly by the user through forms, email, telephone, or other means of communication.
• Information provided by a person acting on behalf of the user or with the user’s authorization.
• Information received from Friends organizations, payment processing providers, mailing systems, shipping providers, and other service providers.
• Information collected automatically through the website, Cookies, Google Analytics, and similar technologies.
• Information generated in connection with handling an inquiry, question, donation, purchase, or other interaction with the Association.

Information submitted through website forms is stored in the website system and sent by email to the Association, its employees, or the relevant personnel for the purpose of handling the inquiry.

Information may also be stored in email, mailing, customer relationship management, accounting, storage, and backup systems used by the Association or by service providers acting on its behalf.

6. Purposes for Which Information May Be Used

We may use information, among other things, for the following purposes:

• Operating, maintaining, and improving the website.
• Responding to inquiries and questions and forwarding them to the appropriate parties.
• Processing donations, issuing receipts, and managing relationships with donors.
• Handling purchases, payments, shipments, returns, and customer service.
• Managing mailing lists and sending newsletters, content, updates, notices, and donation requests, in accordance with applicable law.
• Producing articles, books, responsa, and Torah content.
• Analyzing use of the website, measuring performance, producing statistical data, and improving the user experience.
• Identifying malfunctions, protecting information security, and preventing fraud and misuse.
• Accounting, auditing, recordkeeping, and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
• Resolving disputes, protecting the rights of the Association, and conducting legal proceedings.
• Maintaining organizational, Torah, and historical records.
• Any additional purpose connected with an action requested by the user or otherwise permitted by law.

7. Questions Submitted to Rabbis and Dayanim

Questions submitted through the website may be stored in the website system, in the Association’s email accounts, and in additional systems used for handling the inquiry.

The information may be provided to employees of the Association, rabbis, dayanim, and relevant professional personnel for the purpose of reviewing the question and providing a response.

Eretz Hemdah may edit, process, and publish questions and answers, in whole or in part, on the website, in books, articles, newsletters, and other publications of the Association, after removing names and information that directly identifies the person submitting the question or persons mentioned in it.

The city and/or country from which the question was submitted may appear in such publications.

If, even after names have been removed, there is a reasonable concern that the information could identify a particular person, the Association will refrain from publishing it unless appropriate authorization has been obtained or the publication is permitted by law.

A person who does not wish his or her question to be used for publication is requested to state this when submitting the question.

Users are requested to refrain from providing personal or sensitive information that is not necessary for consideration of the question.

8. Donations, Payments, and Purchases

Payments and donations made through the website are processed through external payment processing providers and financial service providers.

Credit card details are provided directly to the payment processing provider and are not stored in Eretz Hemdah’s systems or in the website system.

The Association may receive from the payment processing provider transaction details, payment status, and information required for issuing receipts, accounting, customer service, and handling inquiries regarding the transaction.

When purchasing books and publications, information required for shipment may be provided to postal services, shipping companies, and service providers assisting with fulfillment of the order.

9. Donations Through Friends Organizations Abroad

When a donation is made through one of the Friends organizations abroad, information may be provided directly to the relevant organization or received from it:

• American Friends of Eretz Hemdah Institutions
• UK Friends of Eretz Hemdah
• Verein der Freunde von Eretz Hemdah

The Friends organization receiving the donation may collect and process the donor’s information in accordance with the law applicable to it and its own privacy policy.

Eretz Hemdah may receive from the Friends organization information such as the donor’s name, contact details, donation amount, date of donation, purpose of the donation, and details required for maintaining contact with the donor and carrying out the activities of the Association.

10. Mailing and Communications

When a user subscribes to a mailing list, provides consent, or where otherwise permitted by law, we may send the user by email, text message, or other means of communication:

• Newsletters and Torah content.
• The Hemdat Yamim weekly Torah bulletin.
• Information about the activities of the Association.
• Notices concerning events, study programs, and classes.
• Information about books and publications.
• Donation requests.
• Additional updates and communications relating to the activities of Eretz Hemdah.

Information may be stored and processed in mailing and customer relationship management systems operated by external service providers.

Users may request to stop receiving mailings by using the unsubscribe link included in the messages or by contacting [email protected].

Even after unsubscribing from general mailings, the Association may send operational communications required in connection with a donation, purchase, shipment, inquiry, or service requested by the user.

11. Disclosure of Information to Third Parties

We may disclose information or provide access to it, to the extent necessary, to the following parties:

• Employees and officeholders of the Association.
• Rabbis, dayanim, and professional personnel handling questions and inquiries.
• Hosting, computing, cloud, backup, email, and website maintenance providers.
• Mailing and customer relationship management systems.
• Payment processors, receipt and accounting providers, and financial service providers.
• Postal services and shipping companies.
• Analytics, measurement, and information security providers.
• Accountants, attorneys, and professional advisers.
• Competent authorities, courts, and other bodies where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
• An entity to which the activities of the Association, or part thereof, may be transferred, subject to applicable law.
• Any other party in accordance with the user’s consent or request, or as necessary to carry out an action requested by the user.

The foregoing parties may use the information solely for the purpose of performing the function or service for which the information was provided to them.

We may disclose statistical, aggregated, or anonymous information that does not reasonably enable the identification of an individual for purposes of analysis, research, dissemination of Torah, oversight, and improvement of services.

12. Processing of Information Outside Israel

Some of the Association’s service providers and Friends organizations operate outside Israel or use systems and servers located outside Israel.

Accordingly, information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in other countries.

The transfer of information outside Israel will be carried out to the extent required for the activities and services described in this Policy and in accordance with applicable law.

13. Cookies and Analytics Tools

The website may use Cookies and similar technologies for the proper operation of the website, security, storing preferences, measuring usage, analyzing performance, and improving the browsing experience.

A Cookie is a small file or identifier stored on the user’s device or browser and used for technical identification, storing information, and analyzing use of the website.

The website uses Google Analytics, a website analytics service operated by Google.

The service may collect information such as an IP address or information derived from it, device and browser type, pages viewed, time spent on the website, source of arrival, and actions performed on the website.

Google’s use of information is subject to its own terms and privacy policy and to the settings configured for the website.

Users may change their browser settings, block Cookies, or delete them.

Blocking Cookies may result in certain parts of the website or certain features not functioning fully.

14. Retention of Information

Information will be retained for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, in accordance with the operational needs of the Association and applicable law.

In determining the retention period, the following considerations may be taken into account, among others:

• The purpose for which the information was collected.
• The duration of the relationship with the user.
• The need to handle inquiries and questions.
• Accounting, auditing, and receipt-issuance requirements.
• Handling purchases, shipments, and disputes.
• Legal and regulatory obligations.
• Fraud prevention and information security.
• Protection of the Association’s rights.
• Documentation, archival, research, and Torah publication needs.

Information may also be retained in backups for an additional period, in accordance with backup policies and operational requirements.

Statistical or anonymous information that does not reasonably enable the identification of an individual may be retained for an extended period.

Following an unsubscribe request, the Association may retain limited information necessary to honor the request and prevent the user from being unlawfully re-added to the mailing list.

15. Information Security

The Association, directly and through service providers acting on its behalf, takes reasonable and customary measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, use, alteration, disclosure, or deletion.

Access to information is provided to persons who require it for the performance of their duties or for providing services to the Association.

Nevertheless, information systems, storage, and data transmission cannot be completely secure, and therefore absolute protection against intrusion, malfunction, loss, disclosure, or unauthorized use cannot be guaranteed.

16. Rights Relating to Personal Information

In accordance with applicable law, an individual is entitled to review Personal Information concerning him that is held in a database, either personally or through a person lawfully authorized to act on his behalf.

If Personal Information is found to be incorrect, incomplete, unclear, or outdated, a request may be submitted to correct or delete such information, in accordance with applicable law and subject to the conditions and exceptions prescribed therein.

A request may also be made to unsubscribe from mailing lists or to discontinue use of information for marketing communications, in accordance with applicable law.

For the purpose of handling such a request, we may request information and documents necessary to identify the applicant and locate the relevant information.

Requests concerning Personal Information may be sent to:

[email protected]

17. Links and External Services

The website may contain links to websites, forms, and services operated by third parties.

Information provided directly by the user to a third party is subject to that third party’s privacy policy and terms of use.

Eretz Hemdah does not control the manner in which independent third parties collect, use, and retain information, and users are therefore encouraged to review their policies before providing information.

18. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Eretz Hemdah may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, including as a result of changes to the website, the Association’s activities, service providers, technology, or applicable law.

The updated version will be published on the website and will state the date on which it was last updated.

In the event of a material change, the Association may publish an appropriate notice on the website or provide a notice by other means, as appropriate.

19. Contact Us

For questions, comments, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the manner in which information is handled, please contact:

Eretz Hemdah – Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem (Registered Association)

Registration No.: 580120780

2 Brurya Street, Jerusalem 9318405, Israel

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +972-2-5371485