Adam Pollack Leads 18Doors Through Restructuring

The national Jewish nonprofit is refocusing its efforts on interfaith families after a significant financial crisis.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Judaism

Adam Pollack Leads 18Doors Through Restructuring

Live Poll

Should non-profits narrow their mission to survive financial instability?

Adam Pollack became executive director of 18Doors in July 2026 following a difficult period for the nonprofit. The organization underwent a major financial restructuring after facing a cash-flow crisis earlier in the year.

Why it matters

The organization faced instability when philanthropic priorities shifted after October 7 and expected donor gifts failed to materialize. Leadership is now working to stabilize the nonprofit while narrowing its mission to train professionals who support multi-heritage couples.

The organization reduced its staff from 15 employees to four by late March 2026. The current operating budget of $1.5 million is down from a peak of $3 million in the 2025 fiscal year.

The players

Adam Pollack

He serves as the executive director of 18Doors and first became involved with the organization in 2015.

Mike Wise

He resigned as the CEO of 18Doors following the financial crisis experienced by the organization.

Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation

This philanthropic organization provided critical donations to help 18Doors rebuild its operations.

The details

Following the resignation of CEO Mike Wise, remaining staff and leadership collaborated between April and June 2026 to transform the organization. With the support of the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation, two previously laid-off employees returned to assist as the nonprofit migrated its educational resources to the Recustom platform.

March 2026: The organization reduced its staff size to four people.
April-June 2026: Staff collaborated to strategize the transformation of the organization.
July 2026: Adam Pollack officially assumed the role of executive director.
September 2026: 18Doors moved its online educational resources to the Recustom platform.

Culture Shift

The organization's mission to support multi-heritage couples aligns with the rise in intermarriage rates, which grew from 54% in the 2000s to 72% between 2010 and 2020. This shift underscores the increasing necessity for resources tailored to non-Orthodox families in the United States.

Families seeking interfaith support resources will see a transition toward new professional training modules beginning next year. These changes reflect the organization's leaner approach to providing educational tools after moving their content to the Recustom platform.

The takeaway

Nonprofits operating in the religious sector are increasingly sensitive to shifts in philanthropic priorities during periods of geopolitical tension. Organizations that successfully adapt often do so by narrowing their operational scope and leveraging digital platforms to maintain service continuity.