International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Poverty continues to be a desperate problem in Israel. A recent report showed that in 2006 the number of poor in Israel rose by 100,000 to a staggering 1.6 million people including one in three Israel children.

To make matters worse, Israel remains engaged in an ongoing struggle with deadly enemies committed to her destruction. After enduring over four years of continuous terror attacks, the Israeli people were staggered again by an unprovoked war launched by Hezbollah that cost many innocent lives. Thousands of families were devastated—and continue to work to rebuild their lives today. Meanwhile, to cope with the growing security threat, the Israeli government has had to divert funds previously used for critical social programs into national defense.

The Fellowship’s Guardians of Israel program responds to this desperate situation through initiatives that ease the suffering of needy Israelis, providing them with food, housing, medical care, clothing, and other essentials. At the same time, it comforts and provides for the future of those whose lives have been devastated by terror, funds war relief and rebuilding efforts, and addresses a host of other emergency needs for people who have nowhere else to turn. With the help of its faithful partners, The Fellowship has made the commitment to protect Israelis in the north and near Gaza by funding the renovation of over 2,500 bomb shelters in these areas.

Rabbi Eckstein said, “Every day I thank God for our Guardians of Israel partners. I cannot imagine how Israel could come through her current trials without them through their generous gifts, they are truly acting as the ‘watchmen on the walls’ of Jerusalem” (Isaiah 62:6).