International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
Professional services
UnclaimedA pro-Israel philanthropic organization that builds cooperation between Christians and Jews and funds humanitarian assistance for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, commonly called IFCJ or The Fellowship, is a United States-based philanthropic organization focused on Christian-Jewish cooperation, support for Israel, Jewish immigration, and humanitarian relief. It was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, an Orthodox Jewish leader who had previously worked on interreligious affairs at the Anti-Defamation League in Chicago. Eckstein sought to create practical partnerships between Jewish organizations and evangelical Christians, a relationship that had historically been limited despite shared concern for Israel and Jewish communities. The organization began as the Holyland Fellowship of Christians and Jews and adopted its present name on September 1, 1991. Its stated mission combines education and advocacy with direct aid. The Fellowship encourages Christian supporters to engage with Jewish communities, advocate for Israel, and contribute to projects intended to improve the security and welfare of Jews in Israel and elsewhere. Its work has included support for Holocaust survivors, impoverished elderly people, Jewish orphans and vulnerable children, new immigrants, Israeli soldiers and their families, bomb-shelter construction, food assistance, medical aid, housing, and emergency relief. A major long-running program is aliyah assistance: helping Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Europe, Arab countries, and other regions immigrate to Israel and adapt to life there. Other programs have supported soup kitchens, absorption centers, meals-on-wheels, home care, heating fuel, clothing, medicine, family assistance, and employment-related needs. The organization also works with churches and Christian leaders through prayer, education, advocacy, and campaigns supporting Israel’s security and right to exist. IFCJ expanded internationally through affiliates in Canada in 2003, Latin America in 2006, and South Korea and Australia in 2012; the Australian operation was later discontinued. Its headquarters are in Chicago and Jerusalem, and it is overseen by an independent board containing Jewish and Christian members. After Yechiel Eckstein died in 2019, his daughter Yael Eckstein became president and chief executive officer. The Fellowship has become a significant channel for evangelical Christian donations to Israeli and Jewish causes. Its emergency work expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the Israel emergency following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. These responses included emergency funding for elderly and vulnerable Israelis, aid to displaced Jewish communities in Ukraine, refugee assistance, humanitarian flights, aliyah operations, food support, and reinforced shelters. The organization has also attracted criticism from some Orthodox and Haredi Jewish authorities, who objected to accepting Christian funding because of concerns about missionary influence and religious boundaries. In 2023, reporting also examined the organization’s use of a reputation-management firm in connection with online criticism of executive compensation. IFCJ remains active as a large, faith-oriented humanitarian and pro-Israel charity.
History
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein developed the idea for the Fellowship while working in interreligious affairs at the Anti-Defamation League in Chicago. His work with evangelical Christians led him to establish the Holyland Fellowship of Christians and Jews in 1983. The organization was intended to promote Jewish-Christian understanding through tangible projects rather than dialogue alone, especially initiatives connected with Israel’s security and the welfare of Jewish communities. On September 1, 1991, the organization adopted the name International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Over time, it became a major fundraising and aid channel linking evangelical Christian donors, Jewish communal organizations, and Israeli welfare projects. Its assistance developed into several broad areas: helping Jews immigrate and resettle in Israel; supporting impoverished Israelis and Jewish communities abroad; providing protective infrastructure and emergency supplies; and mobilizing Christian advocacy for Israel. The Fellowship’s international structure expanded in stages. A Canadian affiliate was founded in 2003, followed by a Latin American affiliate in 2006. In 2012, it established operations in Australia and South Korea, although the Australian affiliate was later discontinued. The organization’s programs have served Holocaust survivors, elderly Jews in poverty, immigrants, children without adequate family support, Israeli soldiers and their families, and residents exposed to security emergencies. Eckstein received numerous public-service distinctions, including the Israeli government’s first Award for Special Contribution to the Welfare of the People of Israel in 2010 and the Raoul Wallenberg Award from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in 2014. He died on February 6, 2019. His daughter Yael Eckstein succeeded him as president and CEO, leading the organization through the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the emergency created by the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent conflict. During the pandemic, IFCJ added $20 million in emergency assistance for people in Israel, particularly vulnerable and elderly populations. In 2022, it established a $4 million Ukraine emergency fund and worked with regional partners to support refugees and Jewish communities. Reported activities included humanitarian supply flights to Moldova, refugee assistance near Ukraine’s borders, medical flights, and aliyah flights to Israel. After October 2023, the Fellowship committed substantial humanitarian and security resources in Israel. Its reported measures included food-purchase assistance for displaced families, large-scale holiday relief, emergency aliyah, and the installation of reinforced shelters in coordination with Israel’s Home Front Command. The organization describes its wider network as supporting hundreds of programs with thousands of volunteers. The Fellowship has also faced sustained criticism from some Orthodox and Haredi Jewish authorities. Rabbinic rulings in 2001, 2002, 2007, and 2009 advised against accepting its funds, citing concerns about Christian missionary activity, interfaith boundaries, or religious influence. These objections contrast with the organization’s mainstream Jewish institutional relationships and its stated emphasis on humanitarian aid rather than conversion. In 2023, the Washington Post reported on the use of Eliminalia, a reputation-management company, to pursue removal of online material critical of IFCJ and compensation paid to Yechiel and Yael Eckstein. An IFCJ spokesperson said that the compensation figure included a death benefit paid to Eckstein’s widow. The episode added scrutiny of the organization’s governance and communications while its humanitarian operations continued.
- 2023
Expansion after October 7 attacks
[1]The organization broadens emergency food, shelter, security, and aliyah assistance in Israel.
- 2022
Ukraine emergency response
[1]The Fellowship creates a dedicated fund for Jewish communities and refugees affected by the war in Ukraine.
- 2020
COVID-19 emergency funding
[1]IFCJ adds emergency funding to assist vulnerable people and elderly Israelis during the pandemic.
- 2019
Leadership succession
[1]Yael Eckstein becomes president and CEO after the death of founder Yechiel Eckstein.
- 2014
Raoul Wallenberg Award
[1]The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee honors Eckstein for public service and humanitarian work.
- 2010
Israeli welfare award
[1]The Israeli government presents Yechiel Eckstein with an award for special contribution to the welfare of Israel’s people.
- 2006
Latin American affiliate established
[1]A Spanish-language affiliate, La Fraternidad Internacional de Cristianos y Judíos, is founded.
- 2003
Canadian affiliate established
[1]The Fellowship expands its international affiliate structure with an organization in Canada.
- 1991
Current name adopted
[1]The organization changes its name to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
- 1983
Holyland Fellowship founded
[1]Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein establishes the organization to advance Jewish-Christian cooperation and support Jewish communities.
Products and positioning
A faith-based philanthropic bridge between evangelical Christians and Jewish communities, combining pro-Israel advocacy with humanitarian assistance and emergency relief.
Immigration and resettlement assistance
Making Aliyah
A program supporting Jews who immigrate to Israel from countries including the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Europe, and Arab lands. Assistance can include transportation, emergency evacuation, initial necessities, and help with klitah, the process of integrating into Israeli society.
Humanitarian and protective infrastructure
Providing Security
A group of initiatives addressing immediate and long-term vulnerability in Israel. Activities have included food distribution, medical assistance, family support, housing-related aid, and the installation or renovation of bomb shelters and other protective facilities.
Poverty relief
Alleviating Poverty
Programs provide food packages, prepared meals, medicine, home care, heating fuel, clothing, and housing assistance to destitute elderly Jews and other vulnerable people. Related work in the former Soviet Union has supported Jewish orphans and children lacking stable care.
Christian engagement and advocacy
Supporting Fellowship
An outreach and advocacy platform that connects churches and Christian leaders with Israel and Jewish communities. It promotes prayer, education, public support for Israel, and opposition to anti-Israel prejudice as defined by the organization.
Controversies
2023
Reputation-management and compensation controversy
The Washington Post reported that Eliminalia, a reputation-management company hired by IFCJ, submitted disputed copyright complaints seeking removal of online criticism concerning executive compensation. IFCJ said the reported combined compensation for Yechiel and Yael Eckstein included a death benefit paid to Eckstein’s widow.
2009
Haredi rabbinic ban on accepting Fellowship funds
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv reportedly ruled against Haredi Jews accepting Fellowship funds, citing concerns about missionary activity and idolatry. Earlier objections were issued by other Orthodox and Haredi authorities.
Marketing campaigns
- On Wings of Eagles
Israel · Former Soviet Union · Ethiopia · Europe
A historical Fellowship initiative associated with helping Jews immigrate to Israel and establish new lives there.
Outcome. Contributed to the organization’s broader aliyah and immigrant-resettlement work.
- Guardians of Israel
Israel
A long-running aid and security initiative supporting vulnerable Israelis and protective infrastructure.
Outcome. Included welfare assistance and support for bomb shelters and emergency preparedness.
- Stand for Israel
United States · International
An advocacy effort encouraging Christian supporters to learn about Israel, pray for its security, and publicly support the country.
Outcome. Helped organize the Fellowship’s Christian advocacy and communications work.
Brand decisions
2023
Wartime expansion of Israeli reliefOtherBackground
The October 7 attacks and subsequent conflict increased demand for food, shelter, security, and evacuation support.
Action taken
IFCJ expanded emergency assistance, including food cards, holiday relief, reinforced shelters, aid for displaced families, and emergency aliyah operations.
Aftermath
The organization reported a large increase in humanitarian and security commitments across Israel.
2022
Ukraine emergency fundOtherBackground
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine displaced Jewish communities and created urgent humanitarian needs across the region.
Action taken
The Fellowship established a $4 million emergency fund and worked with partners on hotlines, supplies, refugee aid, and evacuation.
Aftermath
The response included humanitarian and medical flights and support for Jews making aliyah to Israel.
Emergency fund. $4 million (2022)
2020
COVID-19 emergency allocationOtherBackground
The pandemic increased hardship among elderly and vulnerable people in Israel.
Action taken
IFCJ allocated $20 million in additional emergency funding beyond regular programs.
Aftermath
The funds supported pandemic-related relief for vulnerable populations.
Emergency funding. Regular programming → $20 million additional funding (2020)
2019
Transition to Yael Eckstein’s leadershipStrategyBackground
The organization faced a succession point after the death of its founder and longtime leader, Yechiel Eckstein.
Action taken
Yael Eckstein assumed the roles of president and chief executive officer.
Aftermath
The Fellowship continued its humanitarian and pro-Israel programs under new leadership and later expanded emergency operations.
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