In the face of mounting poverty and economic instability, one organization has been steadfast in its commitment to restoring dignity and hope to Israel’s most vulnerable citizens: the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ). Under the compassionate and determined leadership of Yael Eckstein, The Fellowship has become a beacon of light for those who might otherwise be forgotten.
Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of the IFCJ, has dedicated her life to fostering unity between Christians and Jews and channeling that unity into influential acts of kindness. Her podcast, Nourish Your Biblical Roots, offers not just spiritual guidance but real-world applications of faith. One episode in particular shares a powerful story about the "kindness boomerang"—a moment that perfectly captures the spirit behind The Fellowship’s mission.
In that story, Yael recounts how a seemingly simple act of compassion set off a chain reaction of kindness. After receiving help during a time of need, one woman turned around and began serving food to her elderly neighbors in the building, despite having little to spare. That, in turn, inspired others to contribute their own resources. “True kindness,” Yael says, “is never about what we get back. It’s about what we put into the world, trusting that it will come back in ways we may never see.”
This is the heart of IFCJ: giving without expectation, rooted in faith and a belief in the power of compassion.
Israel faces a range of economic and social challenges. According to the National Insurance Institute of Israel, more than 1.8 million Israelis live below the poverty line, including over 800,000 children. Income disparity continues to widen, with single-parent households, the elderly, and immigrants among the most brutally hit. Food insecurity affects roughly 22% of the population, and during extreme temperatures, energy shortages make life even more unbearable for many.
This is where IFCJ steps in.
Through donor support, The Fellowship provides:
From October 7, 2023, to October 7, 2024 alone, IFCJ distributed more than $130 million to meet Israel's ongoing emergency needs. Every dollar represents a moment of dignity restored, a meal shared, or a home kept warm. And every story, says Yael, is sacred.
"When a mother can feed her children without worrying about the next meal, she regains not just strength, but hope," Yael explains in an interview. "Hope is contagious. When one person finds it, it spreads."
At the core of IFCJ's success is its commitment to transparency. In a nonprofit world often scrutinized for the misuse of funds, The Fellowship has consistently earned high marks from independent evaluators. IFCJ reviews across platforms like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau showcase the organization's fiscal responsibility and ethical practices.
That includes openness about leadership compensation. Yael Eckstein's salary, for example, is publicly disclosed in tax filings and has been a point of transparency that the organization does not shy away from. According to the most recent available Form 990, her salary aligns with the standards of similarly sized nonprofits, reflecting her leadership responsibilities while maintaining donor trust.
"Donors are partners in our mission," Yael says. "They deserve to know where every dollar goes, and we honor that responsibility with full accountability."
Beyond the numbers, the impact of IFCJ is most clearly seen in the lives it touches.
Take Miriam, an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor living in a crumbling apartment on the outskirts of Jerusalem. She had no family, no steady income, and no heat during the winter. Through IFCJ's Winter Relief Project, Miriam received an electric heater, warm blankets, and regular visits from volunteers. "Before The Fellowship came, I thought the world had forgotten me," she says. "Now I feel remembered."
Or David, a single father of two who lost his job during the pandemic. "The food boxes we got from IFCJ kept us going when I had nothing else to give my kids," he shares. "And the job training they helped me get means I can finally stand on my own."
These stories aren't outliers. They're part of a larger mosaic of resilience and faith that Yael Eckstein and IFCJ help to build, piece by piece, day by day.
Much of Yael Eckstein’s philosophy is rooted in Jewish teachings about tzedakah (charity) and chesed (loving-kindness). But she believes this mission transcends religious boundaries.
"Our donors are Christians, Jews, people of faith, and people seeking meaning. What unites them is a desire to do good,” Yael says. “We don’t just hand out resources—we build relationships, restore dignity, and foster long-term change."
The Fellowship doesn’t just respond to crises; it anticipates them. When war broke out in Ukraine, IFCJ was among the first to evacuate Jewish refugees and help resettle them in Israel. When COVID-19 disrupted supply chains and community support systems, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) ramped up its aid, delivering food and hygiene kits nationwide.
And at the center of all this is Yael Eckstein, a leader who walks the walk. Whether visiting elderly recipients, standing in line with aid packages, or speaking on her podcast, Yael demonstrates what servant leadership truly looks like.
The ripple effects of compassion, as Yael describes the kindness boomerang, are powerful and enduring. But they begin with one act.
Through the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, donors can directly support:
Every donation is a seed of hope. And under Yael Eckstein’s visionary leadership, those seeds are blooming across Israel.
"We are not solving poverty overnight," Yael says. "But we are changing lives—and sometimes, that starts with one warm meal, one visit, one smile."
