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Faith Beyond Circumstance

Restoring the spiritual identity and dignity of the
forgotten members of our community.

OUR MISSION

Double Taph is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide assistance to incarcerated or indigent members of the Jewish faith, both financially and spiritually — through religious education, pastoral care, and physical needs.

OUR VISION

We envision a world where every Jewish individual, regardless of their situation, has access to faith, community, and dignity.

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The Foundation of Double Taph

The Double Taph Foundation is the brainchild of Rabbi Johanan Bickhardt and Dr. Martin Evers. They have known each other for almost ten years, meeting when Dr. Evers and his family joined the synagogue where Rabbi Bickhardt served as the Spiritual leader. Rabbi Bickhardt is dual ordained as both a Rabbi and a Cantor, currently serving the Madison Jewish Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Evers was a board-certified practitioner of internal medicine until December 2022. These two men have continued their relationship, working together to develop the idea of providing assistance to incarcerated Jewish inmates, leading to the creation of Double Taph.

Tikkun Olam and Torah

Double Taph stands for Tikkun Olam and Torah. Tikkun Olam is the repairing, healing, or perfecting of the world. Incarcerated Jews are encouraged to perform Tikkun Olam whenever possible — whether by brightening someone's day with a hello, picking up litter, or assisting others with tasks.

Torah, through study, provides a spiritual uplift to the individual. Through the study of the 54 weekly portions (parsha), individuals can dig into scripture to find emotional and spiritual strength. Double Taph offers opportunities to impart this knowledge through Divrei Torah on our blog, "Torah from Inside".

Our 501(c)(3) Mission

As a 501(c)(3) foundation, Double Taph collects charitable donations to provide indigent, incarcerated Jews with funding to make their lives more comfortable. In return, we hope recipients contribute to the blog, closing the cycle of growth. We invite you to support this mission by donating to our organization.

What We Provide (The "How")

Religious Materials

Facilitating the distribution of Sefarim, Tefillin, and essential religious study materials.

Kosher Advocacy

Working with state and local officials to ensure access to proper Kosher nutrition.

Communal Support

Maintaining a vital link between the community and those currently separated.

Spiritual Mentorship

One-on-one guidance to empower individuals through faith and responsibility.

Voices of Transformation

Real stories from individuals who have found a second chance through faith and community.

"

I didn't just find support, I found direction, faith, and a reason to move forward.

David M.

Brooklyn, NY
"

I came home feeling lost, but this program helped me rebuild not just my life—but my connection to who I truly am.

Aaron S.

Lakewood, NJ
"

They didn't judge me for my past—they helped me build a future I never thought was possible.

Yosef K.

Philadelphia, PA
"

I was given more than support—I was given hope, accountability, and a second chance at life.

Shmuel R.

Queens, NY
"

They helped me reconnect with my faith in a way that felt real—not forced. That changed my perspective on everything.

Yaakov H.

Scranton, PA
"

I didn't just find support, I found direction, faith, and a reason to move forward.

David M.

Brooklyn, NY
"

I came home feeling lost, but this program helped me rebuild not just my life—but my connection to who I truly am.

Aaron S.

Lakewood, NJ
"

They didn't judge me for my past—they helped me build a future I never thought was possible.

Yosef K.

Philadelphia, PA
"

I was given more than support—I was given hope, accountability, and a second chance at life.

Shmuel R.

Queens, NY
"

They helped me reconnect with my faith in a way that felt real—not forced. That changed my perspective on everything.

Yaakov H.

Scranton, PA
Torah Scroll

A Bridge to Hope

At Double Taph, we believe that faith should have no boundaries. Our mission is to bridge the gap for those who often feel left behind, providing the spiritual tools and community connection necessary for personal growth.

Through our dedicated advocacy and support networks, we strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their past or current location, has access to the heritage and guidance that restores dignity and provides a path forward.

Why This Matters

Many incarcerated or financially struggling individuals lack access to:

  • Religious materials
  • Spiritual leadership
  • Basic necessities

Double Taph exists to bridge that gap and restore a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging.

Our Leadership

Rabbi Johanan Bickhardt

Rabbi Johanan Bickhardt

Director

Deborah J. Greene, LCSW-R

Deborah J. Greene, LCSW-R

Executive Director

Chaplain Barry Petigoff

Chaplain Barry Petigoff

Chaplain

Leslie Kirzner

Leslie Kirzner

Board Member

Help Us Write the Next Chapter.

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