In 1998, in response to a growing interest from United States supporters, American Friends of ARSP (a 501(c)3 non-profit agency) was born. Through this network of friends, ARSP is continually expanding its service and educational outreach, public relations, and fundraising work in the United States. Its board members are also active in recruiting American volunteers for volunteer service in Germany.
Currently, the ARSP main office in Berlin funds a majority of the work of ARSP. The host agencies also contribute by providing a minimal stipend for the volunteers’ room and board. The American Friends of ARSP have started a fundraising campaign. Its goal is to acquire financial self-sufficiency in the U.S.
In the United States, ARSP's services are coordinated through an office in Philadelphia run by the director of the United States ARSP Program, Magdalena Scharf.
American Friends of ARSP Board Members
Executive Committee
Nicholas D.J. Lane, Chairperson
Misha Avramoff, Vice Chair
Victor P. Ehly, Ph.D., Secretary
Dr. Edith B. Naveh, Treasurer
Honorary Board
Dr. Horst Freitag, General Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
Barbara Afanassiev, Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
Rabbi Herman Schaalman, Jewish Counsel on Urban Affairs (JCUA) board member and former president
Shulamit Bastacky
Sam Weinreb
Advisory Board
Gabriela Coenen-Hoffman
David Katz
Mary Jo-Fink
Franz Paasche
Steering Committee
Andrea Bretting
Madeline Cohen
Rev. Dr. Robert Helm
Dr. med. Eckardt Johanning, M.D., M.Sc.
Wolfgang Herz-Lane
