For more than four decades, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has demonstrated how shared values and compassion can unite people of faith across religious traditions. Founded to foster cooperation between Christians and Jews, The Fellowship has evolved into a global humanitarian organization providing aid to millions of vulnerable individuals worldwide. The Fellowship’s 2024 Annual Report offers a comprehensive look at how this mission continues to shape its programs, partnerships, and long-term impact.
Central to The Fellowship’s work is a commitment to accountability and transparency. For over 20 years, The Fellowship has voluntarily met the rigorous standards set by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. This long-standing compliance reflects adherence to ethical fundraising practices and responsible financial stewardship. The Charity Seal awarded through the review process offers donors reassurance that contributions are used thoughtfully and in alignment with The Fellowship’s stated mission.
The Fellowship was established in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, who envisioned a bridge of understanding between Christians and Jews, at a time when few institutions were actively pursuing that goal. His approach emphasized mutual respect, shared responsibility, and faith-driven action. That foundation enabled The Fellowship to grow into the largest global organization of Christians supporting Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
Today, leadership of The Fellowship rests with Yael Eckstein, who has expanded its global reach while building upon her father’s original vision. Based in Israel, she oversees ministry programs across multiple regions and represents The Fellowship through television, radio, podcasts, and news media. The 2024 Annual Report includes reflections on resilience, humanitarian urgency, and the responsibility of sustaining support during uncertain times. Her leadership reflects continuity with The Fellowship’s roots while guiding its future direction with resolve and empathy.
The scope of The Fellowship’s humanitarian work is reflected in the data presented in the report. Since its founding, more than $3.6 billion has been raised for its humanitarian initiatives. These figures, while substantial, serve primarily as a framework for understanding the real-world impact felt by individuals and families facing hardship.
Behind the statistics are stories of elderly Holocaust survivors struggling with isolation and food insecurity, families working to rebuild stability under financial strain, and immigrants arriving in Israel after fleeing violence or persecution. Each narrative illustrates how targeted assistance can restore dignity, security, and hope.
Families and children comprise the main focus of IFCJ's humanitarian outreach programs. IFCJ distributes clothing and hot meals, supports young people through educational counseling and professional training programs, and develops programs to assist at-risk mothers. Through the above activities and more, IFCJ serves more than 800,000 children and families every year. However, the work at IFCJ provides far more than just temporary assistance. Many of the programs at IFCJ provide the families with the tools and resources to create long-term stability and rebuild their lives after being devastated.
The Security program is another key aspect of IFCJ. Over 800,000 individuals benefit from the things that IFCJ provides through its investment in emergency equipment for hospitals, hospital upgrades, and support for victims of terrorism and soldiers. At times when there is a conflict or when the country is unsure of its future, the security programs provided at IFCJ are lifelines of support for individuals in Israel. The Security program illustrates IFCJ's commitment to both protecting the sanctity of life and building stronger communities and standing behind those who are serving Israel in times of tremendous personal challenge. As of 2024, IFCJ continues to assist Jews who face persecution or instability in their nation by supporting aliyah (immigration to Israel). Since the organization's creation, more than 780,000 people have immigrated to the nation using funding provided by The Fellowship. To ease the transition for immigrants to their new home, The Fellowship provides assistance with airfare, basic needs, education, and vocational training.
In 2024, The Fellowship’s partnership continued to support immigrants from Latin America, the FSU (Former Soviet Union), Europe, and other areas around the world that may need secure passage and new beginnings. Accountability continues to be one of the highlights of the Fellowship’s mission. Donors consistently ask us where their contributions will go. As can be seen clearly in the annual report, 76% of the money contributed to The Fellowship is being provided directly to their ministry programs. This percentage is higher than the recommended minimum standard of the Better Business Bureau for Proper Financial Reporting and represents IFCJ's commitment to being responsible with the resources entrusted to it. Furthermore, The Fellowship is committed to maintaining the privacy of its donors and allows for anonymous contributions to be accepted via credit cards and electronic funds transfers (EFTs). All of these policies demonstrate IFCJ’s commitment to providing the highest level of trust and accountability to contributors.
Yael Eckstein has continued to provide support and leadership to The Fellowship based on the values established by her father, and at the same time, will be a voice for the faith-based community. In addition to this, Yael has built many relationships with individuals and organisations that support her mission. News outlets such as, Newsweek, the Jerusalem Post, the Times of Israel, and numerous others have featured her writing.. Yael Eckstein is using her various media platforms to highlight the stories of individuals and communities that benefit from The Fellowship in order to galvanise support from Christians and Jews for this mission.
The global influence of IFCJ has now extended to over 41 nations and millions of people whom it reaches through educational programs as well as through radio, television, and digital channels. This worldwide communications network allows individuals to be connected with other supporters of fellowship, even though they may not be personally acquainted with the beneficiaries of their assistance. The global outreach of IFCJ is an example of Rabbi Eckstein's original vision for setting up The Fellowship and shows how it has grown to its current level beyond what he could have anticipated in 1983.
IFCJ can operate as an interfaith organization because it shows respect for both Christianity and Judaism and does not promote one religion over another. Instead, IFCJ believes in and celebrates both faith traditions because of their commitment to each other based on principles of mutual respect and responsibility. Rabbi Eckstein was a strong advocate for Christians having the right to express their beliefs in a dignified manner.
Ultimately, the 2024 Annual Report highlights The Fellowship’s broader impact – a community of people coming together to meet the physical and emotional needs of individuals around the globe through working together collaboratively with love and compassion. The statistical information that has been provided, along with humanitarian stories and unique visions that reflect exemplary leadership, represents a living picture of a mission that continues to expand significantly.
