
Israel is often viewed as a unique blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge innovation, where religious heritage meets thriving technology startups. Situated at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, this small nation of under 10 million people holds immense significance for billions worldwide. Yet Israel faces serious challenges with income inequality and high poverty rates, surpassing many other developed countries. These struggles have fueled the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (“The Fellowship”) to maintain a 40-year legacy of support and generosity.
Led by Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of The Fellowship, the organization is Israel’s largest provider of humanitarian aid. Under her leadership, Yael Eckstein’s salary and the organization’s efforts have raised over $200 million in 2021 alone, allowing them to assist 2 million Jews in need, both in Israel and internationally. The demand for The Fellowship’s support remains urgent, even as efforts are made to reduce salary inequality and poverty.
Just how severe is the issue in Israel? According to New York Weekly, while the average income in Israel stands at $65,843—higher than in France or the UK—the bottom 50% earn an average of only $17,092. In contrast, the top 10% earn a staggering $323,634 annually, nearly 19 times that of the lower half of the population.
The disparity in salary inequality in Israel mirrors that of the United States, with both nations ranked among the worst in the developed world in terms of income inequality.
In June 2023, the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel published a report titled A Picture of the Nation: Israel’s Society and Economy in Figures. The report underscored the severity of poverty in Israel, revealing its widespread impact. The findings were alarming: 21% of Israeli families live in poverty, with disproportionate representation among minority groups such as Haredi Jews and Arabs. Among families with children aged four and below, the poverty rate rises to 25%.
In short, nearly 2 million Israelis, including close to 1 million children, live in extreme poverty, far worse than in other Western countries.
How The Fellowship Makes a Difference
With post-pandemic cuts to social expenditures on health, education, and welfare, Israel’s vulnerable populations are relying on organizations like The Fellowship more than ever.
“Israel is a nation of immigrants,” explains Yael Eckstein. “While people come to their biblical homeland seeking a better life, they often face unique challenges—barriers of language and culture that make adaptation difficult.”
This is where The Fellowship steps in, offering financial, physical, and emotional support to various groups, including the elderly, Holocaust survivors, impoverished families, children, and minorities in Israel and the former Soviet Union.
Yael credits the organization’s donors, who “give sacrificially to help Israel and her people,” enabling The Fellowship to provide essential services and goods to Israeli families in need.
A significant portion of The Fellowship’s funds goes towards feeding the hungry, with initiatives that include providing prepared meals, food cards, and monthly food packages for the elderly. The Fellowship operates over 40 soup kitchens, offering hot meals to thousands, and distributes food cards to needy families during holidays such as Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
As Israel’s elderly population grows at twice the rate of the overall population, the need for services like medication, home visits, and emergency financial assistance continues to rise. The Fellowship provides these essential resources, along with emergency call buttons for Holocaust survivors, enabling immediate access to medical assistance. They also supply vehicles to local municipalities to transport elderly residents to community centers and medical appointments. During the colder months, heating vouchers are distributed to help the elderly stay warm.
For struggling families, The Fellowship funds shelters for battered women, children’s homes, and offers enrichment activities and services for young people and the elderly. They also deliver appliances, clothing, and food to those in need, with children receiving essential items like clothing and school supplies.
Poverty’s Long-Term Impact on Children
The Taub Center’s report highlighted the profound impact of poverty on young children, stating that “family income during the first thousand days of a child’s life has a critical influence on future academic achievements.” Children from poor families, especially those under the age of four, consistently score lower on academic tests compared to their wealthier peers, inevitably affecting their future prospects and earnings.
Despite 59% of the government’s 2021 expenditure, equaling NIS 297 billion, being dedicated to social services, a significant gap remains. This is where The Fellowship steps in, providing crucial “boots on the ground” support to those struggling to improve their circumstances.
The Fellowship’s Ongoing Mission
Yael Eckstein leads The Fellowship with compassion and determination, fostering outreach rooted in love and generosity. Reflecting on her work, she notes, “The Bible tells us, ‘There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land’ (Deuteronomy 15:11).”
While poverty persists in Israel, The Fellowship’s consistent donations, which range from $130-165 million annually, offer a lifeline of hope, love, and essential aid to those in need.
Looking ahead, salary inequality and poverty may be Israel’s most significant challenges, but Yael Eckstein and The Fellowship are committed to overcoming these battles, working each day to bring that vision to life.