The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews Invests Nearly $2 Million to Expand Lifesaving Medical Care Across Israel

July 23, 2026

JERUSALEM (July 23, 2026) — The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) is celebrating the opening of two newly enhanced medical facilities at Sheba Medical Center and Nazareth Hospital EMMS, made possible through nearly $2 million in Fellowship grants. While each investment addresses a different need, together they strengthen Israel’s continuum of care—from lifesaving emergency treatment to long-term rehabilitation—ensuring patients experiencing complex physical and emotional trauma have access to specialized care at every stage of recovery. 

At Sheba Medical Center, The Fellowship’s $867,000 grant funded the renovation, expansion, and specialized equipment for its Back to Life Center, Israel’s first dedicated center providing long-term treatment, rehabilitation, and support for families of returned hostages and of those who died in captivity.  

Since October 7, the hospital has received 57 returnees from six different rescue operations, more than any other hospital in Israel, and now provides ongoing multidisciplinary support, combining physical medicine, mental health, rehabilitation, integrative medicine, and spiritual guidance to create personalized, long-term treatment plans for each of its 320+ patients.  

The Fellowship’s support made possible the renovation and creation of the dedicated facility, while the center’s ongoing operations are supported by the National Insurance Institute’s Foundations Division. 

At Nazareth Hospital EMMS, The Fellowship’s $1 million grant funded the expansion and modernization of the hospital’s Trauma and Emergency Medicine Department, including a newly upgraded Trauma Room designed to meet growing demand and increasingly complex medical needs. The enhanced facility, which is expected to assist more than 32,000 patients, is already helping physicians deliver faster, more effective emergency care to patients across northern Israel.  

“The Fellowship exists because Christians around the world believe we are called to stand with the people of Israel—not only in moments of crisis, but throughout the long journey of healing that follows,” said Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of The Fellowship, who attended the Nazareth Hospital dedication ceremony. “These investments reflect our belief that there are more people in the world who believe in brotherhood; in coming together as Christians and Jews with values that unite us, instead of ones that divide with darkness,” Eckstein said.  

Since October 7, 2023, The Fellowship has provided over $500 million in emergency assistance across Israel, supporting hospitals, first responders, evacuated families, security initiatives, and humanitarian aid for those most affected by the ongoing war.

About The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews 

For more than 40 years, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading non–profit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2025, The Fellowship helped 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel’s security infrastructure. To learn more about The Fellowship’s work, visit www.ifcj.org.

About Yael Eckstein  

Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of The Fellowship, one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations, and is a respected Jewish leader, speaker, bestselling author, and an award-winning podcast host and humanitarian. A 2025 ‘Pillars of Jerusalem’ award recipient for her exceptional contributions to Israel’s public diplomacy, and The Jerusalem Post’s 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.