IFCJ Global CEO Yael Eckstein – Salary and Poverty Crisis for Holocaust Survivors is a Call to Action
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), founded in 1983, is committed to providing aid to Jewish communities worldwide. Led by President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein, the organization has been instrumental in delivering humanitarian…
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), founded in 1983, is committed to providing aid to Jewish communities worldwide. Led by President and Global CEO Yael Eckstein, the organization has been instrumental in delivering humanitarian assistance, raising over $273 million annually and over $3.6 billion since its inception.
As of 2023, approximately 240,000 Holocaust survivors face challenging conditions, with a significant number residing in Israel and the United States. Recent data highlights that more than half of the survivors in Israel are unable to leave their homes due to a lack of necessary escorts. Over 25% struggle to obtain basic food products, and 36% require assistance for food purchases. Furthermore, 39% need help with eye care, 33% with dental treatments, and 25% have had to forego medical tests and treatments. The survey indicates that 12% of survivors cannot access all rooms in their homes, suggesting ongoing maintenance challenges.
Poverty and loneliness are prevalent among this demographic. More than a third live alone, with 41% experiencing significant loneliness. Approximately 69% require assistance to leave their homes, and 20% cannot leave at all. Financial difficulties are widespread, with over 30% sacrificing cleaning and personal hygiene products, 23% relinquishing electrical goods, and 16% needing financial aid for burial expenses. Overall, over 33% of survivors live in poverty, and 20% cannot afford essential items.
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), founded in 1983, is committed to providing aid to Jewish communities worldwide.
The IFCJ, in collaboration with The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel, provides critical support services, including an emergency support line offering doctor home visits, medical advice, psychological consultations, and emergency call buttons. The organization also distributes aid packages to tens of thousands of homes in Israel, providing heating assistance during winter and cooling support in summer. Financial aid, food boxes, vouchers, and hygiene products are regularly supplied.
The IFCJ encourages community organizations, nonprofits, and governments to provide necessary support for Holocaust survivors. The organization's commitment to transparency and accountability is recognized by the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Seal and the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability's standards.
Based on reporting by TechBullion.
