40 Years of Fellowship

For 40 years the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has been the leading ministry blessing Israel and the Jewish people with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. Together, we have been able to provide food and warmth, safety and security and a way home to Israel for Jews suffering from poverty and persecution. Fulfilling God’s Word – like our world has never seen.

The number 40 is certainly important throughout Scripture. Whether it’s the story of Noah, the Israelites before the Promise Land, or Moses receiving God’s Work, 40 is not just a period of time, but a symbol of a new generation, a new era, a new beginning. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate all that we have accomplished – because of you – and as we carry the holy work we do together into a new era of fellowship.

75^th Anniversary of the State of Israel

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40 Years of Blessings

Through the generosity, passion, and loyalty of our donors, partners, and staff we have been able to bring lasting change and save countless lives...these are their stories.

Rabbi Eckstein serves lunch to an elderly woman

"God tells us to help the poor, the downtrodden, and the oppressed," said Rabbi Eckstein, seen here serving food at a Fellowship soup kitchen in 2002.

Frederika lost her entire family at Auschwitz. "Despite it all," she says, "here I am, at home in Israel." And because of The Fellowship, "I'm not alone."

When each Fellowship flight lands at Ben Gurion Airport, as this family's did from Ethiopia in 2020, the excitement on the tarmac is palpable as Israel's newest citizens set foot on holy ground.

“I strongly believe that supporting Israel is one of the most meaningful things a believer can do. This is why I’m partnering with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.”

When Yael visited Netta in 2014, the 87-year-old Holocaust survivor expressed her appreciation by singing songs in praise of Israel.

"From the very beginning, this work has been a divine calling," said Rabbi Eckstein, here feeding Sophia, a Jewish orphan in Ukraine in 2014.

As thousands of refugees fled the war in Ukraine and crossed the border to Moldova, even in the dead of winter, The Fellowship was there to help.

“Being old, I cannot do without medication and coal,” says Larisa, who would never survive in her rural shack each winter without lifesaving aid from The Fellowship.

When terrorist rockets rain down on the people of Israel, they can find safety and security in bomb shelters provided by The Fellowship's caring donors.

Maria survived the Holocaust and the Chernobyl disaster alone. But thanks to The Fellowship, she now says, “I feel that I have somebody in the world.”

Elderly woman in wheelchair covered with blanket

Blind, wheelchair-bound, and trapped in her small apartment for years, Tamara says help from The Fellowship "is the only reason I'm alive."

When elderly Holocaust survivors could not escape war-torn Ukraine, The Fellowship provided them with medical rescue flights to Israel.

Elderly man, Holocaust survivor sitting looking at camera

"You saved my life." When we found Yuri, he was forgotten and neglected. But thanks to the "godly work" of The Fellowship, this Holocaust survivor is alive.

Yechiel Eckstein welcoming Ukrainian Olim

"This is the place where I want to live!" said Jewish musician Shlomo, an olim from Ukraine, whose family Rabbi Eckstein welcomed to Israel in 2014.

Yael Eckstein welcoming aliyah freedom flight

In February 2020, The Fellowship honored Rabbi Eckstein's memory with a special aliyah flight to the Holy Land.

During the Holocaust, Asya's mother died in her starving daughter's arms. Now, this elderly widow would again be starving if not for The Fellowship.

"I call myself an orphan," says Tamara, a Holocaust survivor from Odesa who finds warmth and family with The Fellowship.

Elderly woman with two canes stands outside with volunteer

“I don’t know any other place besides this village," says Vera, a Holocaust survivor stuck in war-torn Ukraine, only alive because of ongoing help from The Fellowship.

Elderly woman sit with hands crossed on her chest

Ludmila lost everything and everyone to anti-Semitism and poverty. But her "days are much happier since The Fellowship adopted me."

For this Jewish family from Ethiopia who lost a son and grandson to civil war, "coming to Israel was always our dream."

Woman and girl stand in park holding balloons

The war in Ukraine took Natalia's husband and Liza's father. But The Fellowship has given this broken family a new start in Israel.

The young sons of this IDF veteran know that every Jewish holiday will be special because of food boxes from The Fellowship.

Elderly woman sit on couch with Yael Eckstein

So many elderly Jewish people have no one left in the world. People like Bronya. Which is why the fellowship and care you provide is so important.

As part of Operation Rock of Israel, The Fellowship played a role in reuniting Ethiopian Jews with their long-lost family in the Holy Land.

Yael Eckstein, Michele Bachmann, and elderly woman sit on couch

"I have a tremendous love for Israel, and great admiration for the Israeli people, which is why I'm partnering with Israel's largest provider of humanitarian aid, The Fellowship.”

Elderly Jewish woman praying in gratitude while receiving IFCJ food box.

Born in Europe during WWII, Ella has witnessed so much. "Health and peace are the cornerstones of our lives," says this precious Jewish widow, who finds them with help from The Fellowship.

When rockets rained down on southern Israel, Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon was secure thanks to Fellowship-funded bomb shelters and a bombproof delivery room.

"I fall in love with this country more and more every day," says new olim, Ezequiel, who looks forward to serving his new home, Israel.

Elderly woman living in Georgia, hugging employee of JDC

Her whole life spent suffering in one of Eastern Europe's poorest areas, for 87-year-old Khanna "The Fellowship is really a light in the darkness."

Adult man stand behind table with open emergency kit

Volunteer first responders in the Golan Heights can better help the people of northern Israel with emergency equipment kits from The Fellowship.

Young Jewish mother holding her daughter and a banana

Elena, a young Jewish mother in Ukraine, is "blessed with a second chance" thanks to help with food and education from The Fellowship.

Elderly Ethiopian woman sitting on couch next to table and food box

Since she was a girl, 82-year-old Ishambel dreamed of making aliyah from Ethiopia. Her dream was realized as The Fellowship does "God's work on earth."

Each holiday season, The Fellowship brings care and cheer to lonely Jewish elderly, like Michael, an artist who has lost his wife and son.

Elderly woman receives Rosh Hashanah food box

"I thank God that at 95 my mind still works," says Valentina, "but my body is betraying me." That's why "help from The Fellowship is what helps me survive."

Elderly Jewish couple lighting menorah together on Hanukkah

Unable to make aliyah during the pandemic, Isaak and Isabela at last celebrated Hanukkah in the Holy Land in 2020, thanks to The Fellowship.

Yael Eckstein distributing emergency package

When much of the world shut down in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Fellowship was still on the ground, providing for "the least of these."

Elderly woman sit on couch with adult woman (IFCJ Staff)

A Holocaust survivor now widowed and alone in Israel, when The Fellowship visits Rachel on Rosh Hashanah, she says, "May the New Year be generous with love, kindness, and understanding.”

Yael Eckstein on the 700 Club Interactive, with host Gordon Robertson

In 2018, Gordon Robertson welcomed Yael Eckstein to the 700 Club, saying of Rabbi Eckstein and the work of The Fellowship: "Your father's a legend. He has pioneered this."