Holocaust Survivors

Major Program to Help Destitute Holocaust Survivors Announced by International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Majority of Funds Have Been Donated by Evangelical Christians

Last update: 2:00 p.m. EDT Sept. 22, 2008

CHICAGO, Sep 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews announced today a major program to assist Holocaust survivors in desperate need. The Holocaust Survivors Fund will distribute $10,554,470 to 27,785 people in 37 countries. The program, which has been funded by Christians in the United States and Canada, provides the neediest Holocaust survivors around the world with a special gift of between $300-$600. The program was unveiled at the IFCJ's conference in Chicago by the group's founder, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. It marks the 25th anniversary of the organization's existence.
The major two-day conference and celebration in Chicago continues Tuesday. Hundreds of IFCJ supporters, both Christians and Jews, have come together to show their solidarity with Israel including Dr. Pat Robertson, Jonathan Falwell, Pat Boone, Gary Bauer and Ralph Reed, Jr. and the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Sallai Meridor. The full program is available on our web site at www.ifcj.org.
"We created the Holocaust Survivors Fund when we realized the extent of the need," says Rabbi Eckstein. "Despite the billions of dollars that have been pledged to aid Holocaust survivors, there are tens of thousands of them who live in abject poverty. Our program gives them a little something to celebrate the upcoming Jewish New Year -- and just as importantly, lets them know that they are not alone or forgotten."
There are approximately half a million Holocaust survivors alive today. The IFCJ program has identified those most in need, and mostly in those countries where there is little welfare safety net to support them financially. It then went to its donors and asked for their help to provide these suffering people with tangible assistance and a new measure of human dignity.
"When we asked our Christian supporters for help, their response was overwhelming," says Rabbi Eckstein. "We are proud that our supporters have made these gifts of love. And we are resolved that the dwindling numbers of Holocaust survivors be able to spend their remaining days in dignity and comfort."
The funds will start reaching Holocaust survivors next week and will be completely disbursed by October 13. A breakout of numbers of survivors for individual countries is available upon request.
Since its inception in 1983, The International Conference of Christians and Jews has provided more than half a billion dollars of support to Israel and Jews living outside of Israel in a variety of ways. This includes helping Jews immigrate to Israel ("On Wings of Eagles"), assistance to impoverished Jews in Israel and countries of the former Soviet Union, and political advocacy on behalf of Israel. It is recognized as the premier organization that has built ties of dialogue, respect and cooperation between Jews and Christians.

The Untold Story of Oppressed Christians in the Middle East

The Untold Story Of Oppressed Christians In The Middle East
Thursday, July 31, 2008
By: Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein


In the daily drumbeat of Mideast news, there is one story of historic proportion that is nearly unreported: the growing persecution and systematic destruction in the Islamic world of some of the world’s oldest Christian communities.

Sure, we hear when a Catholic bishop is murdered in Iraq, when machete-armed fanatics attack Egyptian Copt worshipers, or when churches are torched in Hamas-controlled Gaza. But what about the jailing in Saudi Arabia of foreign workers for holding forbidden Christian prayers? Or the arrest in Pakistan of a Christian man for marrying a Muslim woman? Or the continuing Islamic educational system that teaches the young that Christians (as well as Jews) are “the descendants of apes and pigs”?

The pattern is nearly the same wherever extremist Islam holds sway. From Bangladesh to Darfur, Christians have become regular targets for Islamic thugs and the governments that back them. Just this month, a Pakistani court upheld the kidnapping, conversion and “marriage” to older Moslem men of two Christian sisters, aged 10 and 13.


Yet even in lands that are not under orthodox Sharia law, Christian communities feel the pressure of persecution. In constitutionally secular Turkey, a legally recognized Protestant church in the capital of Ankara is under threat of closure by local Islamist police.


Many Christians in Islamic lands have become subject to such terror that they are fleeing the homelands their ancestors have known almost since the time of Jesus. Iraq’s Christian sects now feel forced to pray in secret. Others simply leave. Although they comprise less than four percent of Iraq’s population, Iraqi Christians now account for 40 per cent of its refugees.


Lebanon’s once politically powerful Christian community has already shrunken almost beyond recognition. Thirty years ago, Lebanon was 60% Christian; today it is barely 25%. The growing political power of Iran-backed Hezbollah is encouraging further departures.

Even in the Holy Land, where Jesus walked, there is an increasing Christian exodus from both the West Bank and Gaza. Part of it surely stems from the continuing Palestinian- Israeli conflict. But much of it results from a growing Islamic campaign to force Christians to sell their property and leave. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, was once 90% Christian. Today it has a 65% Moslem majority.


The only place in the Mideast where Christian communities continue to grow is in the Jewish State of Israel. Israel’s tolerance is logical. What people of faith knows the dangers of religious persecution better than the people of Israel – especially those whose families originated in the Islamic world? Between 1948 and 1956 more than 850,000 Jews were forced to flee the Arab lands where their families had lived for centuries.


Most found new homes in Israel; others settled in Western Europe and the Americas. Today there are almost no Jews in the Arab world. In Egypt, where 180,000 Jews once lived, there are fewer than 80. In Iraq, where Jews once comprised a third of Baghdad, there are possibly ten left. In Libya, there are none.


For much of Islamic history there was relative tolerance of both Jews and Christians. Though never treated as equals to Moslems, they were accepted as Dhimmi – protected minorities.
Today there seems to be a dangerous tendency in many Muslim nations to neither respect nor try to preserve the historic sanctity of these once sheltered cultures and faiths.

When Afghan fanatics destroyed two ancient statues of Buddha, the world was shocked. But the world should not forgot that between 1948 and 1967, when Islamic forces controlled the Holy City of Jerusalem, there was a systematic campaign to erase the historic Jewish presence.

Synagogues were destroyed and ancient Jewish gravestones carted away. Even today, the Palestinian Authority not only denies Israel’s right to consider itself a Jewish state, but denies the historic Jewish connection to Jerusalem. It is an empty effort to enhance the Palestinian political narrative at the expense of others’ hard earned history.

If there is a hope of true peace in the Middle East, extremist Islam must reform its view of others. It cannot go on teaching that non-Islamic history in the Middle East is “fiction.”

There is a sacred opportunity now to take up the call for the Islamic world’s hard-pressed and ever shrinking Christian communities. All people of commitment and tolerance - Christian, Jew, and Moslem - should speak out loudly and forcefully so that the Islamic world’s Christians do not suffer the same fate as its now all but non-existent Jewish communities.

IFCJ on Facebook!

IFCJ on Facebook! Tell Your Friends

The Fellowship is continually working towards reaching as many people as possible to support Israel and her people. Not everyone can contribute monitarily so this is a great and extremely important way for you to show your support when money is tight.Just go to the links below, join the cause and tell all your friends. Its easy, free and helps promote understand and fellowship between Christians and Jews.

Holocaust Cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/104181?m=91e6b129

Georgia Cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/111035?m=91e6b129

With great respect and appreciation,
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

A Fellowship Greeting!

Short video on how The Fellowship came to be. Hope you enjoy!

An Outpouring of Christian Support for Israel

Introduction from Yael Eckstein-Farkas:

"My name is Yael Eckstein-Farkas, and, as you might have guessed, I'm the daughter of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship's founder and president. I live in Israel with my family and have been involved in The Fellowship's work for about a year now. " - Yael-Eckstein Farkas

Below is an excerpt from Yael's Corner, a monthly e-letter written by Yael featured at www.ifcj.org

An Outpouring of Christian Support for Israel - By Yael- Eckstein Farkas

Every holiday celebrated in Israel is special. In my home of Jerusalem all the people come alive at these holy and wondrous times, to thank God and give praise for the miraculous deeds that He has performed both in our days and the days of Old. Sukkot is the holiday when the Jews celebrate the miracles that God performed for the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt in biblical times.

During Sukkot outside of every home in Israel you see a little wooden hut set up, with branches hanging over the top, which becomes a makeshift home for the entire holiday, which is celebrated for seven days. The hut, called a sukkah, commemorates the stupendous miracle of the cloud of glory that God sent to protect the Jews in the desert. This cloud that went with the Jews from the time they left Egypt until Moses died kept peace and security within the Jews traveling camp and blocked out the many threats faced in the desert.

Although today Sukkot is a holiday that is celebrated only by Jews, in the days of the Temple a sacrifice would be brought every day of the holiday in honor of all the nations of the world. Every person took part in the celebrations that would occur. Because the Holy Temple is no longer standing, this custom no longer occurs. But nearly thirty years ago Christians from all over the world decided that they would find their own way to Israel during Sukkot to show support for Israel and march in solidarity with God’s people.

This year around 7000 Christians from over 100 nations attended, which made it the largest annual tourism event in Israel. They came simply to tell Israel that they are our friends. All of the people who flew in from far off countries are mindful of where they came from and the passport that they hold, yet no matter where they settle and call their home, they know that Israel is God's home and they came to recognize this. Not only did this march boost the economy, it boosted us Israeli’s spirits as well.

When I went outside on this sunny Thursday morning to take my daughter for a walk, the main street by my house whose six lanes are normally packed with cars was closed down to vehicles. I asked one of the officers what was happening and he explained to me that the street would be used for a parade that would include Christians from all over the world.

Just hearing him say that in such a matter of a fact way gave me chills. For 25 years, it has been my father’s dream that every Jew and Israeli would know that Christians are our friends – and now, an Israeli policeman finds it normal that an enormous Christian solidarity march will take place in Jerusalem! I felt so proud that it was my father who first broke this stigma and was the pioneer in building this bridge of understanding between Christians and Jews, which has extended beyond the work of The Fellowship and into the everyday lives of millions of people.

As the march first began I saw Jerusalem’s many residents trickle out of their homes to see what was going on. People stopped in amazement as they saw a sight that they probably never saw in their lives. As far the eye could see was a crowd of Christians waving different colored flags representing all the nations of the world. The Jerusalemites were shedding tears of joy as the participants in the march banged drums, blew trumpets, and danced with all of their heart to show the people of Israel that, like us, they celebrate our homeland, and give us encouragement to continue to fight our holy battle for God's promised land.

When the marchers walked by they shouted out words of comfort like “shalom” and “we love you” and gave the thumbs up. But what was so unique, in my eyes, was the recognition among the Israelis that these Christians really are our friends. Seeing the different Christians from all different nations march the streets of Jerusalem did something that no sermon or editorial can accomplish – it showed absolute sincerity of Christian support for Israel.

We all realized that these participants bought expensive plane tickets not just from the U.S., but from far away countries like Malaysia, China, Singapore, Brazil, and India, solely to walk these streets and show their solidarity with Israel. Most of those standing on the sidelines of this march probably did not imagine that they had anything in common with Christians from Singapore or Malysia. But the march made them realize that Jews and Christians from all over the world are connected through God's Bible and the promises He gave. We Israelis are used to hearing people on radio, television, and in newspapers questioning our right to defend ourselves, and even our right to exist as a nation. This show of Christian support reminded us that there are better days ahead.

The hope and comfort that the solidarity march brought to the people of Israel is very similar to that which the Fellowship brings to Israelis and Jewish people around the world. When I visit people in their homes who have come home to Israel thanks to The Fellowship’s On Wings of Eagles program, or others who have received funding for lifesaving medical devices, or food for their children, or job training, I see that these gifts bring more than just immediate relief in a crisis – they give people the feeling that they aren’t alone. When Jews in Israel see the “donated with love by Christians in America, The Fellowship” sign hanging at the entrance to nearly every welfare program in Israel, they know we are not fighting our battle for survival alone – we have support from thousands of people in every country, people brought together by The Fellowship. It reminds us that even if some international governments and media don't support us, we have the greatest support from ordinary citizens of nearly every country.

Christian friends of Israel, the strength you give us cannot be expressed in words. A friend is someone who is by your side through the good times and bad, and that is what you have proven to be. On behalf of all Israelis, thank you!

With blessings from Jerusalem, Yael Eckstein

Help Us Lift Up Israel and the Jewish People In Prayer

The Fellowship Prayer Team unites Jews and Christians around the world to raise a chorus of prayer to God for the security, well-being, and protection of Israel and the Jewish people. By appealing to God on behalf of his children, the Prayer Team will make a powerful, positive impact on Israel's struggle for peace and security, and provide a tremendous source of encouragement to Israel and her people.


Pray for the Fellowship Prayer Team, that we will grow and multiply the number of faithful intercessors. Teach us how to pray in power.

Pray for global cooperation on the current financial crisis. Pray for the poor and the vulnerable, and everyone at risk of losing meager resources due to credit problems and banking failures.
Pray for the upcoming U.S. elections.

Pray that the next administration will support Israel, be a good steward of the resources God has given the American people, and honor God in words and in action.

During a period of political uncertainty in Israel, continue to pray for a smooth transition of power from outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to his successor.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. "Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men". Psalm 59:1-2

Pray to stem the rise of anti-Semitism in the world today, which has grown worse during the current economic crisis. "Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows". Psalm 64:1-3

Pray for the protection and safety of Christians in India and Iraq currently suffering under harsh persecution. Pray that God will calm religious tensions in these troubled areas.
Pray for Rabbi Eckstein.

Pray that God will protect and guide him as he works in partnership with Fellowship supporters to help poor Jews in Israel and around the world, and to help Jews return to Israel from the four corners of the earth. Pray for continued blessings on the ministry of The Fellowship.

Check out more about our prayer team at www.ifcj.org