The National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education was one of the first organizations established by the Rebbe when he came to America in 1940. Initially, the NCFJE operated the Released Time Program which reached over 10,000 children in the New York State public school system in its early years. Under the leadership of Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, who was appointed by the Rebbe in 1945, the organization greatly expanded its scope of activities.