The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews distributes $2.5 million in emergency aid to assist those affected by Iranian missile strikes

JERUSALEM, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) took urgent action over the weekend in response to Iran's attacks on Israel, following Operation Rising Lion.

With approximately 5,000 Israelis evacuated, hundreds of buildings and apartments damaged, and many injured by the ongoing Iranian missile strikes, The Fellowship has distributed around $2.5 million in aid since Thursday to address the immediate needs of families whose homes were damaged or evacuated. More than 1,000 debit cards worth over $225 each have been provided to families in the hardest-hit areas, including Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Rehovot and Tamra. The Fellowship continues to remain in touch with all affected municipalities and is closely monitoring developments in order to map needs and adjust support as needed in response to the developing situation.

The Fellowship has also been working in coordination with partners to prepare for large-scale distribution of emergency food boxes and emergency bomb shelter kits, to help elderly and families remain safely in public shelters across Israel for extensive periods.

"In a matter of seconds, lives were turned upside down," said Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. "Homes destroyed. Children frightened. Elderly men and women suddenly without food, medicine, or even a bed to sleep in. In those moments, there is no time to wait. Only to act. That's what the Fellowship is here to do—to bring comfort. To bring help. To bring light."

The Fellowship is also working quickly on the immediate purchase and placement of 10 bomb shelters this week, with 50 additional "standard" shelters and 50 "upgraded" bomb shelters to be placed in the coming weeks. These upgraded shelters are significantly heavier and more reinforced, and are meant to withstand more severe threats and higher-impact explosions, thanks to their blast-resistant steel doors.

The organization is also actively assisting new olim (immigrants) who arrived in Israel last week, providing them with resources and guidance, as some arrived merely hours before Operation Rising Lion began.

"I'm deeply moved by our team's selfless devotion and quiet bravery as they continue to go door-to-door, even as rockets fall, to deliver hot meals, hygiene kits, and compassion. I'm also overwhelmed with gratitude for our Christian friends whose love and prayers make this work possible. Their support is not just financial—it's spiritual. It reminds the people of Israel that they are not alone—that even in the darkest of nights, there are hands reaching out in love," Eckstein said.

The Fellowship, Israel's largest provider of humanitarian aid, has worked to strengthen and fortify Israel's security for nearly 20 years, contributing more than $105 million as of 2024 to projects such as installing thousands of bomb shelters, equipping hospitals and first responders across Israel with critical supplies, providing fortified ambulances and fire trucks, and providing local security teams with armored security vehicles, drones, mobile firefighting water tanks, and more.

"We can't stop the missiles, but we can meet fear with faith, and we can meet loss with love. And that's what we're doing—every hour, every day."

To learn more about The Fellowship's work, please visit http://www.ifcj.org.

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

For more than 40 years, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading nonprofit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2024, The Fellowship helped more than 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel's security infrastructure. To learn more about the Fellowship's work, visit www.ifcj.org.

About Yael Eckstein

Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. The Jaffa Institute's 2024 Woman of the Year and The Jerusalem Post's 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE International Fellowship of Christians and Jews