Providing Hope and Light

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) is busier than ever – tirelessly raising funds from generous Christian donors and distributing them to people in Israel and around the Jewish world who are in urgent need of support. Following the events of last October 7 and the ensuing war, The Fellowship has continually updated its priorities, swiftly launching new programs that benefit those most affected by recent events, including IDF soldiers, residents of northern Israel, farmers, victims of global antisemitism, and others.

Protecting residents of northern Israel

For decades, The Fellowship has played a key role in protecting residents of northern Israel – and even more so during the current wave of hostilities. In recent months, The Fellowship has donated and placed more than 150 bomb shelters for residents of the region who have not evacuated, and has provided firefighting trolleys to help put out wildfires caused by incoming rockets.

Following the threats from Iran back in April, The Fellowship began preparing for the possibility of all-out war in northern Israel by packing 5,000 food and hygiene product kits, and an additional 600 emergency bomb shelter kits. In addition, despite suffering a direct missile hit in May, the Fellowship-supported soup kitchen in Kiryat Shmona continues to distribute daily meals to people (often elderly) who haven't left the area.

Supporting agriculture

The war has prompted an agricultural crisis that threatens Israel's food supply as well as the income of thousands of families. In response, The Fellowship recently announced a $2 million initiative in partnership with HaShomer HaChadash to help fund volunteer and workforce infrastructure on 1,000 farms affected by the war, primarily located along the northern and southern borders. The money will be used to purchase agricultural equipment, transport volunteers, and support the volunteer command center that coordinates and dispatches thousands of people weekly.

"Food security is a part of our daily lives that some might take for granted but is critical in keeping our nation safe," says Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of The Fellowship. "This war has reminded us of how dependent we are on natural produce and how threatened we are when it is in jeopardy."

Embracing IDF soldiers

Since October 7, The Fellowship launched several programs aimed at supporting the various needs of IDF soldiers, including reserve soldiers who own small businesses. Since many enterprises have been floundering while their owners are in the army, The Fellowship is offering special emergency grants to small business owners who have completed at least 100 days of reserve duty.

The Fellowship also decided to prioritize support for soldiers who were injured during the Swords of Iron War. A program supporting the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization focuses on providing basic supplies to wounded soldiers, especially during their initial hospitalization. The program is helping 350 recently wounded soldiers by offering grants to purchase personal items such as clothing, electronic products, furniture, and groceries. In addition, the soldiers receive a hospitalization kit with useful basic supplies for their hospital stay.

Facilitating Aliyah

Amazingly, more than 24,000 people have made aliyah since October 7, which is a massive increase in new aliyah applications compared to the same period last year. Among the top reasons cited for immigrating to Israel at this time is a clear desire to be part of the modern Zionist experience in light of the ongoing war and the surge in antisemitism around the world. Indeed, many Jews in the Diaspora now feel safer moving to an active war zone than living as Jews in their own country.

The Fellowship is investing resources in helping Jews fulfill their dreams of making aliyah. In August, The Fellowship organized a special flight that brought 155 new immigrants from France, in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Jewish Agency for Israel. When the flight landed at Ben-Gurion Airport, it was greeted with an emotional ceremony attended by Ofir Sofer, Israel's Minister of Aliyah and Integration; Ayelet Shiloh Tamir, the Director General of The Fellowship's Israel office; Yaakov Hagoel, Chair of the World Zionist Organization; and other dignitaries.

Among the olim on that flight were Duli and Yonatan Gluch and their two children, who moved to Ashdod. Duli acknowledges that growing antisemitism in France made the decision to move more urgent: "In our neighborhood, it's gotten very scary, with signs all over the place supporting the Palestinians and the sense that, as Jews, we are being targeted."

"Even in the midst of a devastating war, so many Jews believe that Israel is the safest place for them to be because we are united and together in the fight against evil," says Yael Eckstein. "Together with our partners and with the support of our hundreds of thousands of donors around the world, we are committed to working tirelessly to help Jews come home to Israel."

Building bridges

As a pioneer in Christian-Jewish relations, The Fellowship's unique leadership role is needed now more than ever to support Israel – particularly after the horrific attacks of October 7 and the drastic rise in antisemitism in the past year. The Fellowship's Christian supporters remain committed to the safety and security of the state of Israel and the Jewish people, and the NGO continues to play a critical role in galvanizing Christian support for Israel, and in uniting Jews and Christians to combat antisemitism.

The Fellowship provides a spiritual connection to the land and the Jewish people, produces and distributes educational messaging and content, and builds support with Christians through meaningful engagements. This is achieved by working with the largest media companies in conservative and Christian media, leveraging top talent, building strategic solidarity trips, and engaging churches with special initiatives.

"For the first time in our history, we have Christian friends who stand with Israel. In these times of growing antisemitism, the message they are sending the people of Israel through their support is simple and powerful: 'you are not alone,'" says Yael Eckstein. "It's this solidarity that is providing hope and light amid so much darkness, and is how we know light will ultimately prevail."

Largest and most impactful philanthropic organization

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is a remarkable philanthropic enterprise founded in 1983 by the late Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and today it is the largest and most impactful philanthropic organization in Israel, with millions of donors worldwide. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised $3.5 billion to support Israel and Jewish people in need, with more than $232 million raised annually in recent years. In 2023 alone, The Fellowship helped more than two million people by providing basic needs and support, including helping more than 4,000 Jews make aliyah.

Since October 7, 2023, The Fellowship has distributed more than $132 million to Israelis in need. It has provided vital aid to Israel's brave soldiers, first responders and medical teams, including around 5,000 flak jackets, 3,000 helmets, 1,300 medical bags and rescue kits, nine armored security vehicles, 10 mobile firefighting units, a variety of medical equipment to seven hospitals, and hundreds of hospitalization comfort kits for wounded soldiers.

In addition, The Fellowship has made a real difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living in danger zones since October 7 – delivering 200+ mobile bomb shelters in northern Israel, 85,000 emergency food cards and meals to evacuees from the Gaza Envelope and those unable to leave, and 3,900 respite kits with games and activities for children in public bomb shelters, as well as supplying basic needs such as food and clothing to more than 100,000 people.

Still today, it continues to provide over 1,000 daily meals through soup kitchens in northern communities under rocket fire.

For more information about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, visit www.ifcj.org>>

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