Nearly two years after the deadly October 2023 Hamas attacks plunged Israel into war, the country is facing a different kind of battle. This one is marked not by rockets or sirens but by food lines, unpaid bills, and economic uncertainty. Public systems are stretched thin, and aid is slow to reach the most severely affected communities.
For many Israelis, help has come from outside the traditional safety net. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), also known as The Fellowship, is led by President and CEO Yael Eckstein and has become a critical source of support.
As of mid-2025, Charity Navigator rated the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews 4 out of 4 stars.
With more than $157 million in emergency assistance distributed since the war began, IFCJ has become one of the most agile and trusted lifelines for civilians navigating the war’s economic aftershocks. From fortified bomb shelters to food stipends, housing aid to aliyah support, The Fellowship has reached families long before other institutions could.
“Our work has always been about bridging gaps,” Eckstein said. “But this crisis has revealed just how wide those gaps can be when entire communities are suddenly in need.”
A War With No Finish Line
What began as a security emergency has evolved into a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The financial cost of the conflict in Israel has likely exceeded $70 billion through July 2025. In some sectors, recovery has stalled altogether. Poverty now affects between 22 and 29 percent of the population, with more than 1.24 million children directly impacted. Consumer spending has plummeted, wages have stagnated, and the labor force has shrunk as thousands remain displaced or enlisted in reserve duty.
Though much of the world’s attention has shifted elsewhere, daily life in Israel remains fragile. Towns along the northern and southern borders continue to experience evacuations and closures. In border communities near Lebanon, farmers have abandoned fields. In southern cities like Sderot and Netivot, many businesses have yet to reopen. Tourism has vanished. Construction has slowed. The ripple effect has affected almost every family.
Reservist call-ups, extended school closures, and recurring missile threats have disrupted the workforce and eroded financial security across all income levels. For families who once lived paycheck to paycheck, the war has taken everything.
The Fellowship, which has spent more than four decades supporting vulnerable Israelis, has scaled its work dramatically in response. In 2025 alone, it distributed more than 1.4 million meals, provided aid to nearly 1 million individuals, including Holocaust survivors and the elderly, and helped thousands of displaced families find temporary shelter and essential supplies.
A Strategic Response To A Slow Recovery
While the Israeli government works to stabilize its long-term economic outlook, humanitarian organizations like IFCJ are often the first to address immediate needs. Unlike many nonprofits that rely on cumbersome international approval processes, the Fellowship operates with an on-the-ground network capable of swift response.
Its efforts are deeply rooted in coordination with local municipalities, trusted social workers, and emergency service providers. That infrastructure allowed IFCJ to deliver food, security funding, and psychological support in some of the hardest-hit areas within hours of the first strikes.
In one of its most significant initiatives this year, The Fellowship provided $9.5 million in Passover food and holiday support to more than 150,000 families. While the campaign made headlines, it reflected just one layer of an ongoing, long-term effort to fill the economic gaps the war has exposed.
Eckstein said: “We begin the Passover seder each year with the words, ‘May all who are hungry come and eat.’ Especially now—where Jews in Israel and around the world are reeling from the rise of antisemitism and the heavy financial burdens due to the ongoing war—we are answering the urgent call for emergency Passover food aid. The Fellowship is honoured to support elderly individuals, children, and families of hostages, helping them celebrate this sacred holiday with dignity and surrounded by love.”
A Legacy Grounded In Action
The Fellowship was founded in 1983 by the late Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein with a mission to build bridges between Christians and Jews and offer practical help to Jews in need.
Over the more than 40 years since its founding, the organization has raised $3.6 billion in aid and established offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul.
When Yael Eckstein assumed leadership following her father’s sudden passing in 2019, she stepped into both a spiritual and logistical legacy. Under her leadership, IFCJ has expanded its reach, accelerated its response capabilities, and strengthened its relationships with international donors, particularly Christian communities worldwide.
In 2024, IFCJ climbed to No. 74 on Forbes’ list of America’s Top 100 Charities.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized on this prestigious list again,” Eckstein shared. “Every day, in everything we do, we strive for excellence. Whether it’s our operations, finding ways to do even more to meet the ever-changing needs of Israelis and Jewish communities worldwide, or the deeply personal level of support we provide to every partner and beneficiary, this ranking is truly a testament to the dedication and compassion of our team.”
The Fellowship was also named a “Best Nonprofit to Work For” by the NonProfit Times, and Yael Eckstein was once again listed among The Jerusalem Post’s 50 Most Influential Jews.
Despite the accolades, Eckstein remains focused on the work ahead.
“Recognition is never the goal,” she said. “It’s a reminder that people are watching—and counting on us to be ready when a crisis comes.”
Trust Through Transparency
As The Fellowship’s global profile has expanded, so has its commitment to financial integrity. In early 2025, the organization completed a comprehensive salary and compensation audit conducted by Willis Towers Watson, a global leader in advisory, brokering, and human resources consulting. The independent review assessed total remuneration for four executive roles, including IFCJ’s President and Global CEO, Yael Eckstein.
The audit examined base salaries, total cash compensation, and incentive structures, benchmarking them against comparable nonprofit organizations. It took into account compensation surveys, role-specific responsibilities, sector trends, and financial indicators such as IFCJ’s 2024 budgeted revenue. Adjustments for inflation and projected merit increases across the nonprofit sector were also taken into account.
The report concluded that IFCJ’s compensation practices are fair, competitive, and fully aligned with best practices in the nonprofit space.
“Financial accountability and responsible donor stewardship are at the core of our mission,” said Robin Van Etten, IFCJ’s U.S. CEO and global chief operating officer. “This audit reaffirms our commitment to transparency, ensuring that our compensation structures—particularly for our President and Global CEO—remain competitive while reflecting the values and responsibilities of our organization.”
For an organization that relies on the generosity of hundreds of thousands of supporters—most of whom are Christians worldwide who give sacrificially—such transparency is crucial. It ensures that donor dollars are directed where they’re most needed and that leadership compensation reflects both the scope of responsibility and the ethical values behind the mission.
“Trust is the foundation of our work, and this independent review reinforces our dedication to managing donor contributions responsibly,” said Eckstein. “We remain focused on our mission to provide humanitarian aid, support Israel, and build bridges between Christian and Jewish communities worldwide.”
That commitment to transparency has helped build one of the most consistent donor bases in the nonprofit sector, with contributors from more than 70 countries.
Facing The Future With Faith and Fortitude
Even as ceasefire talks come and go, the war’s long-term impact on Israeli society is undeniable. Government planners are anticipating years of recovery. Many families have come to accept that their previous lives, including jobs, homes, and schools, may never fully return to what they once were.
For The Fellowship, the next phase includes expanding mental health care, increasing food support to schools, and continuing aliyah services for Jews relocating from countries where antisemitism is rising.
“We know what we’re called to do,” Eckstein said. “And we’ll keep doing it — for as long as it takes.”
By: Chris Bates
