World Agudath Israel, usually known as the Aguda, is an international ultra-Orthodox Jewish organization founded in 1912 as the political arm of Ashkenazi Torah Judaism, succeeding Agudath Shlomei Emunei Yisroel. Its base of support was originally in Eastern Europe before World War II, where it operated numerous Jewish educational institutions. After the Holocaust, it expanded its operations to include the United States (as Agudath Israel of America) and Israel, continuing to run educational institutions in these regions. The organization is guided by its Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in Israel and the US and remains dedicated to promoting Torah observance and influencing religious policy worldwide.