Israel’s citizenry is suffering under the yoke of poverty, a burden that’s been present for so long that it’s become systemic. While the problem has been exacerbated by recent regional wars and conflicts, the salary and poverty crisis in Israel predates them and has roots in multiple policy decisions and political consequences. The result is a persistent issue that’s left as much as 21% of the population struggling for a living below the poverty line. With food insecurity, inability to pay for health and hygiene goods, inaccessible and unaffordable housing, and plummeting salaries to contend with, many Israeli citizens will struggle to survive without aid.
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ or The Fellowship) is a nonprofit organization that’s ready and able to help. Founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, and currently helmed by President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein, IFCJ is an interfaith nonprofit designed to build bridges between Christians and Jews, and leverage those new connections to raise money to help Jews in need around the world. “IFCJ has raised over $4.4 billion since its founding to provide humanitarian aid, poverty assistance, and aliyah support to Jews both in Israel and beyond.” The organization is mobilized to offset the poverty crisis in Israel.
The Fellowship feeds, clothes, and otherwise cares for two million individuals in need every year through its humanitarian aid programs. IFCJ delivers on-the-ground care, food, clothing, and more to help impoverished Jews both in Israel and beyond, whether it’s fulfilling basic needs or providing companionship. IFCJ reviews its policies and procedures regularly and is committed to helping Israeli citizens wherever needed.
“We answer the biblical call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and provide shelter to the poor (Isaiah 58:7) through on-the-ground, lifesaving care, food, and support for impoverished Jews, elderly, and Holocaust survivors,” says IFCJ.
Systemic Salary And Poverty Crisis
The extent of the poverty crisis in Israel is staggering, especially given data released by a number of institutions and nonprofits in the past two years. One of the most significant of these reports was released by Israel’s National Insurance Institute (NII) 2024 Poverty report, released in January. This report provided detailed analysis and a range of statistics that paint a bleak picture of life for one-fifth of Israel’s citizens. Some example statistics are as follows:
- Approximately two million Israelis are poor, including approximately 880,000 children, which represent one-quarter of all children of Israel.
- Israel ranks second among OECD countries in the rate of poverty expectancy among children, at 28%.
- Without the intervention of the state, Israeli poverty rates would have jumped to 31.5% for individuals, and 34.5% among families.
- Over 28% of Israelis live in food insecurity due to economic reasons, which includes over one million children.
- Nearly 28% of Israeli households are unable to cover expenses, with population-specific rates as high as 50% and 29% for Arab and Haredim households respectively.
- Over 65% of the poverty-stricken citizens come from disadvantaged populations, including Arab and Haredi families.
- Israel’s poorest municipality is the ultra-Orthodox West Bank settlement of Modi’in Illit, where 48% of the population lives in poverty. Jerusalem follows closely behind at 38.6%, Beit Shemesh at 36.3%, and Bnei Brak at 31.1%.
The report makes a number of additional notes that are worthy of attention. A single breadwinner in a household is not enough to lift a family out of poverty, a phenomenon largely due to the increase in the employment rate over the years, stagnating wages, shifting definitions of poverty, and more. Inequality has also grown, dropping Israel to 7th from the bottom of OECD’s Gini index measuring inequality. The report also found that recent regional conflicts have contributed to rising poverty levels by calling in reserves for extended terms of duty, taking them away from work and their families; causing the displacement of families close to contested borders; and contributing to inflation due to military expenditures.
The Fellowship Provides Support
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and its partner organizations are committed to providing lifesaving aid wherever possible, and that includes poverty relief programs. IFCJ leverages its over $303 million in annual donations toward providing aid to poverty-stricken citizens in need. The majority of each donation goes to aid; 76 cents of every dollar goes to humanitarian aid, with 63% of that amount going specifically to poverty relief and shelter programs.
The Fellowship provides basic supplies, food packages and vouchers, clothing, hot meals via partnerships and soup kitchens, and a number of other direct aid programs. Everything from blankets and heat to medicines and companionship are considered and provided. In addition to these services, IFCJ offers professional training and scholarships giving them the tools needed to seize new opportunities and better their chances in a job market that’s been under strain for years.
In addition to their internal programs, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews also partners with other organizations and community programs to provide aid and assistance. For example, the Fellowship partnered with Leket Israel in late 2025 to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the households that may not be able to afford them. This partnered ‘Leket Express’ mobile greengrocer truck provided fruits and vegetables for families struggling with food insecurity, giving them access to critical nutrition they’d otherwise go without. The truck serves as a mobile soup kitchen for vulnerable Jews across Israel, which gives them a chance to eat, to build community, and have some essential dignity restored.
One of IFCJ’s beneficiaries, an Israeli woman named Yaffa, says, “Despite my challenges, I still encounter many good people. The people from The Fellowship are like angels to me—they help me so much, and I bless them every day.”
