International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is a grant making foundation and Israel advocacy group founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. The organisation's professed goal is 'to promote understanding between Jews and Christians and build broad support for Israel and other shared concerns.' The organisation was formerly known as the 'Holyland Fellowship of Christians and Jews', the name was changed in 1991. The organisation maintains offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul. The organisation's headquarters are based in Chicago and Jerusalem and it has a sister organisation in Canada - the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada. Regarding its achievements the IFCJ website states that:

We have helped hundreds of thousands of Jews escape poverty and anti-Semitism and return to their biblical homeland, funded humanitarian assistance that has touched the lives of millions of Jews in Israel and around the world, provided life-giving aid to Israel’s victims of war and terror, and much more.

In 2013 the organisation's total revenue amounted to $113,513,326 and the organisation claims to have raised half a billion US dollars since its founding in 1983.

The IFCJ is a major donor to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, the American partner of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers (AWIS). Between 2002-2013 the foundation donated $7,941,000 to the FIDF. The IFCJ is described by AWIS as one of its 'Key Strategic Partners'.

Projects

Guardians of Israel

'Guardians of Israel provides food, clothing, shelter, housing and other urgent needs for all Israelis, including children and the elderly, who are suffering due to poverty, terrorism and war.'

Isaiah 58

'Isaiah 58 provides children and elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union with food, clothing, heating, and other necessities by funding humanitarian programs throughout the FSU.'

On Wings of Eagles

'On Wings of Eagles helps Jews make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) from around the world, and helps them with their klitah (resettlement) needs once they arrive in the Holy Land.'

Stand for Israel

'Stand for Israel aims to engage people both spiritually and politically on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people by encouraging them to pray for Israel and teaching them to advocate for the Jewish state.'

Latin American Outreach

'Several years ago, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein was named the Goodwill Ambassador of the State of Israel, with a special emphasis on Latin American communities. Shortly after, The Fellowship launched an initiative to build bridges between Latino Christians and Jews. We have been a presence at several conferences in Latin America, and launched a successful Ask the Rabbi radio program, educating Spanish speaking Christians about the Jewish roots of Christianity.'

Teaching Initiatives

'Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein is a renowned biblical scholar and expert in Jewish-Christian relations. He has spoken at countless churches and conferences, published several books, and hosted educational radio programs. Recently, he has begun hosting Journey to Zion, a dynamic 30-minute teaching program focusing on the Bible and Jewish roots of Christianity before a live studio audience.'

Foundation Grantees

Organisations supported by the fellowship include:

American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee, American Values, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Hadassah, Jewish Agency for Israel, and This World: Jewish Values Network.

Funding and Finances

The IFCJ receives funding from the following foundations:

Alan Stone Family Charitable Foundation, Amica Companies Foundation, BBR Foundation, Borgata Heart and Soul Foundation, Carol and George Henry Family Foundation, Clarence J. Venne Foundation, Dorothy Louise Blossman Charitable Foundation, Elias Family Charitable Trust, Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis, Fishers of Men, Frieman Foundation, Gero Foundation, Gettler Family Foundation, GTR Foundation, Herbert and Jacqueline Lippitz Foundation, Herbert J. and Beverly J. Myers Charitable Foundation, IFCJ Foundation, Independent Charities of America, John M. Hewitt Family Foundation, J.S. and S. Michaan Foundation, Jonathan and David Foundation, Lending Hand, Louis C and Celia K. Grossberg Foundation, Marilyn and Marshall Butler Foundation, McLaughlin Family Foundation, Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation, Melvyn P. and Eleanor N. Galin Family Foundation, National Christian Charitable Foundation, Norbert and Henry Bratt Charitable Trust, Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation, Ryan Foundation, Setton Foundation, Soussa Family Foundation, Stanley J. and Doris Fenvessy Foundation, Suzanne and Alan Peyser Foundation

Revenue and Assets of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews in $
	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	Total 2008-2012
Total Revenue	35,172,738	39,969,459	44,153,406	49,530,334	73,644,288	78,013,220	84,281,498	94,634,458	97,019,588	106,697,118	113,514,939	816,631,046
Net Assets	15,094,786	5,521,556	8,231,776	7,888,752	12,675,521	17,037,873	12,668,459	11,454,194	11,871,922	12,325,019	14,749,907	129,519,765

Amounts Received from Charitable Foundations in US$.
Foundation name	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	Total 2002-2013
Alan Stone Family Charitable Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	50	25	0	0	75
Carol and George Henry Family Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,500	0	0	1,500
Clarence J. Venne Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	2,000	2,500	10,000	5,000	0	6,500	10,000	36,000
Dorothy Louise Blossman Charitable Foundation	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	17	10	15	20	62
Frieman Foundation	0	0	0	0	230	0	200	200	0	0	0	-	630
Gero Foundation	-	-	-	-	-	-	5,650	2,575	750	150	150	150	9,425
GTR Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	200	1,000	0	1,000	1,000	3,700
Herbert J. and Beverly J. Myers Charitable Foundation	0	25	100	50	0	75	25	75	0	0	50	0	400
John M. Hewitt Family Foundation	0	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	800	500	0	1,300
J.S. and S. Michaan Foundation	0	250	0	0	200	250	0	0	0	10,000	0	0	10,700
Louis C. and Celia K. Grossberg Foundation	0	0	0	0	-	0	0	0	0	0	100	100	200
McLaughlin Family Foundation	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	1,500	18,000	0	0	19,500
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	72	72	0	0	0	144
Melvyn P. and Eleanor N. Galin Family Foundation	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	0	0	0	25
Norbert and Henry Bratt Charitable Trust	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	10,000	10,000	11,000	-	31,000
Ryan Foundation	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	600	0	600
Soussa Family Foundation	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	0	0	360	360	180	900
Stanley J. and Doris Fenvessy Foundation	25	25	50	50	50	0	50	50	50	50	50	-	450
Suzanne and Alan Peyser Foundation	0	0	0	0	200	0	0	0	1,000	2,000	2,700	2,100	7,800

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People

Directors (circa 2015)

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein (Founder and President) | John P. French (Chairman) | Edward Lasky (Treasurer) | Barbara Manuel (Secretary) | David Clark (IFCJ) (Director) | J.R. Dupell (Director) | Steven Hefter (Director) | Andrew Lappin (Director) | Suzanne Peyser (Director)

Contact

P.O. Box 96105

Washington, D.C.

20090-6105

Phone: (800) 486-8844