As Rosh Hashana 5777 approaches, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship), led by founder and president Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, is providing food and clothing vouchers to 30,000 needy children, families and soldiers throughout Israel.
The Fellowship gift cards will allow for individuals purchases in a discrete and dignified manner. The cards are redeemable at Israel’s Shufersal supermarket and FOX clothing chains.
In addition to this critical support, The Fellowship will operate a special crisis hotline before, during and after the holidays for people in financial and social distress. This hotline will work in cooperation with hundreds of non-profit organizations to answer the needs of callers. The number is: *9779.
“Israel is in a deep social crisis, with increasing poverty and unbearable social gaps,” said Rabbi Eckstein in a statement. “During the high holidays, the distress of those who live in poverty is intensified. Tens of thousands of families do not know how they will be able to buy food and celebrate with dignity.
“Every day we receive hundreds of calls from people asking for help, including from the elderly, people with disabilities and families who experiencing extreme difficulties. This distress is due to the lack of appropriate social infrastructure in Israel.”
New Year’s gifts will include:
- 8,500 food cards valued at $100 each, for single-parent families living in public housing.
- 6,600 food packages and food cards for families living under the poverty line and the homeless.
- 7,700 clothing cards for for children-at-risk living in youth villages and homes for battered women.
- 9,600 food and clothing vouchers for lone soldiers and soldiers-in-need
