Toward Tradition

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Toward Tradition is an American, politically conservative Jewish-Christian 501 C(3) non-profit organization founded by South African rabbi Daniel Lapin based in Mercer Island, Washington. The organization's activities, as described in its IRS statement, are to "educate the public through conventions, seminars, public speaking, and class studies on Judeo Christian values."

Toward Tradition came to public attention in 2005 when it was drawn into the Abramoff-Reed Indian Gambling Scandal because of information that surfaced during US Senate hearings into Abramoff's dealings. According to Lapin, Jack Abramoff was a director for Toward Tradition from the early 1990s until 2004, and served a few terms as chairman of the board.

The Washington Post reported on October 16, 2005, that Toward Tradition received a $25,000 donation in 2000 from online gambling company eLottery despite Lapin's professed opposition to gambling. Some or all of the money received was then transferred to a company run by the wife of Tony Rudy, an aide to Tom DeLay who was instrumental in killing an antigambling bill that eLottery and Abramoff were lobbying against. In a followup article published by the Washington Post on January 9, 2006, it was alleged that Toward Tradition was the "non-profit entity" referred to in Abramoff's plea agreement in relation to a $25,000 contribution made by Magazine Publishers of America which had hired Abramoff for a campaign against the postal rate increase. In March 2006, Tony Rudy pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy relating to the donations he had funneled via Lapin.

In 2002 as the only paid officer Lapin received $165,000 (plus $5000 for expenses). In 2003 Lapin received $157,031. In 2004, $161,081. The $500,000+ annual funding comes from conservative foundations such as Lenore Broughton, the Carthage Foundation, and the Scaife Family Foundation.

In March 2006, it was reported that Toward Tradition had closed its leased Mercer Island offices and laid off most of the staff, and was being run from Lapin's home.