Dear Friend of Israel,
Recently I received a deeply distressing message from the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), one of The Fellowship's partners in the former Soviet Union (FSU) that helps distribute aid to poor Jews through our Isaiah 58 program. JDC officials told me that reduced funding brought on by the global economic crisis is hindering their efforts to reach out to the needy in the FSU.
The consequences have been dire. Social service providers have had to turn away from welfare centers 60,000 poverty-stricken elderly Jews, as well as 20,000 children. Deliveries of monthly food packages to some elderly Jews have been reduced to one every three months. Twenty Hesed centers—where poor Jews receive essential goods and services like food and warm clothing, as well as much-needed companionship—have closed. All this comes at the worst possible time, when people in the region are trying to prepare for the bitterly cold winter that they know is just around the corner.
It grieved my soul to read this message, and to think of all these suffering people facing hunger and deprivation. But I am pleased and grateful to say that your support of Isaiah 58 has enabled The Fellowship to step in and make up a portion of this financial shortfall, ensuring that many continue to receive the care they so desperately need.
This lifesaving effort was made possible because of your generosity. But the remaining victims of these drastic budget cuts still need our help. Think of it—there are times in this part of the world during the dead of winter when some elderly and infirm people may not be able to leave their house for days or weeks at a time. For them, ensuring that their homes are stocked with food, heating fuel, and other necessities is absolutely critical.
These dear people have no one else to turn to for help, other than to you and me. This is why I am asking you to give today to Isaiah 58. The cost to sustain a fragile life through the rapidly approaching winter is very modest—only $50 a month to provide one needy person with winter relief like heating fuel, blankets, and warm clothing, as well as a box of nutritious food. It is a relatively small amount of money that can mean the difference between life and death for someone struggling to survive.
Thank you in advance for taking these desperate people into your care. Through your support you are truly acting in obedience to the biblical command to "share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him…" (Isaiah 58:7) May God bless you for your generous support of His people.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President