As Israel continues to face economic pressure, internal displacement, and rising security concerns, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) has scaled and adapted its humanitarian programs to meet the moment. Under the direction of President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein, the organization has reinforced its role as a reliable source of support for Israel’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, evacuees, soldiers’ families, and survivors of past trauma.

Adapting Aid Strategies in a Shifting Environment

Since late 2023, ongoing instability has placed extraordinary strain on local communities. Municipal governments and national agencies have struggled to keep pace with growing demands for food, medical supplies, and financial aid. In this environment, IFCJ has emerged as a consistent and agile partner, using its international donor base and longstanding infrastructure to deliver aid where public systems fall short.

In May 2025, the organization expanded its direct assistance programs, delivering food cards, trauma support, housing aid, and essential supplies to tens of thousands of families across the country. These efforts are not just stopgap measures. They represent a deliberate, strategic shift toward long-term support that prioritizes stability, dignity, and community resilience.

Support for Families Displaced by Conflict

One of IFCJ’s top priorities has been assisting families who have been forced to leave their homes due to persistent security threats. These displaced individuals often face immediate challenges, including loss of income, psychological stress, and inadequate access to basic services.

In coordination with local municipalities and NGOs, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has provided financial relief through preloaded debit cards, many of which were distributed discreetly to ensure recipient privacy. Each card helps cover the cost of groceries, medicine, and daily essentials, bridging the gap between need and government response.

This approach reflects IFCJ’s belief that aid should empower recipients rather than create dependency. By offering flexible financial support, the organization gives families the autonomy to address their specific needs without added stigma or bureaucratic delay.

Sustaining Emotional and Spiritual Health

Beyond physical needs, IFCJ recognizes the psychological and emotional toll that prolonged instability places on Israeli families. In partnership with trauma counselors and regional hospitals, the organization has scaled up its funding for mental health services, focusing especially on children and elderly residents impacted by recent disruptions.

Mobile counseling units, funded by IFCJ and staffed by trained professionals, now operate in several communities across southern and northern Israel. These units bring trauma care directly to those who cannot easily access formal treatment centers. The program has already reached over 5,000 individuals since the beginning of the year.

Religious leaders have also played a role in delivering emotional support, with IFCJ helping fund community-based prayer services, support groups, and workshops that blend faith and psychological recovery. These services serve as both spiritual anchors and social lifelines.

Frontline Aid for Soldiers and First Responders

Another central pillar of IFCJ’s work this spring has been direct assistance to Israeli soldiers and their families. As deployments stretch longer and reserves are called up more frequently, many families face increased financial and emotional strain.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has responded by funding emergency grants, food deliveries, and childcare support for military families. In May alone, the organization supported more than 4,000 households where one or more family members are serving in the defense forces.

This support is complemented by morale-boosting programs such as holiday care packages and community appreciation events. These efforts remind military families that they are not forgotten and that international supporters continue to stand with them during difficult times.

Leveraging Interfaith Support to Fuel Action

A unique strength of IFCJ lies in its interfaith foundation. The organization’s ability to mobilize Christian donors in the United States, Canada, South Korea, and beyond has enabled it to maintain steady support even when global economic conditions fluctuate.

In May, more than half of IFCJ’s operational funding came from Christian households, many of whom contributed during Easter and Passover giving campaigns. These donors often cite shared values, biblical connections to Israel, and personal faith commitments as reasons for their support.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews not only welcomes these contributions but actively engages supporters through newsletters, live video briefings with Yael Eckstein, and real-time impact reports. This level of engagement has helped foster trust and deepen commitment, ensuring that donors understand the full scope and impact of their generosity.

Transparent Leadership and Financial Stewardship

As with any large-scale nonprofit operation, questions occasionally arise about resource allocation and executive leadership. The organization continues to answer these questions openly. IFCJ publishes annual financial reports, provides detailed program metrics, and participates in third-party evaluations. These efforts have contributed to its consistent four-star rating from Charity Navigator and accreditation by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Public interest in executive compensation, including the salary of Yael Eckstein, is understandable. IFCJ addresses this transparently, noting that her salary is publicly disclosed and benchmarked in line with leaders of comparable global humanitarian organizations. What matters most, the organization maintains, is not the headline figure but the measurable outcomes achieved under her stewardship.

In the last fiscal year alone, the organization delivered over $296 million in humanitarian aid across multiple continents. The May 2025 initiatives in Israel alone demonstrate how that leadership translates into action on the ground.

Testimonials from the Field

While the numbers are compelling, the human stories bring the mission to life. A mother of four from Netivot shared that the food card she received meant her children could eat a complete Shabbat dinner for the first time in weeks. An elderly man in Nahariya described how the IFCJ-funded counselor who visited his home helped him sleep through the night for the first time since his displacement.

Local mayors have also credited the organization with reducing pressure on municipal aid systems and helping maintain social stability in communities under stress. In one case, IFCJ’s rapid response enabled a northern town to set up a temporary housing shelter within 48 hours of an evacuation order.

Moving Forward with Resolve

As the summer approaches, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews remains focused on expanding its aid capacity, deepening partnerships, and preparing for additional waves of need. The organization is evaluating new delivery models, increasing mobile aid operations, and investing in longer-term support initiatives like job retraining and school funding.

Yael Eckstein continues to emphasize that the mission is not just about crisis response but about helping Israel emerge stronger, more united, and more resilient. She has called on the global community—Jewish and Christian alike—to stay engaged, stay informed, and stay generous.

The work of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews this May reflects what the organization does best: meet urgent needs with compassion, act with transparency, and unite diverse communities around a shared purpose. In a time of uncertainty, that clarity of mission has never mattered more.