IFCJ_AnnualReport2016-dr7

1 2015 Annual Report sAving lives

2 Annual Report 2015 The Fellowship’s Mission: To promote understanding between Christians and Jews, build broad support for Israel, and replace our history of discord with a relationship marked by dialogue, respect, and cooperation. Rabbi Eckstein welcoming olim (immigrants) from Ukraine African-American church community initiative Bridge Builder book launch with daughter Yael

3 Dear Friend of israel, it delights me, as it does every year, to share this report with you. enclosed, you’ll find information about just some of the lifesaving work made possible through your faithful, generous support of The Fellowship in 2015. israel and Jews worldwide certainly experienced their share of struggles in 2015. The Jewish community in Ukraine continued to face economic and security concerns in light of the ongoing civil unrest. in the fall, a wave of terror attacks by individual Palestinian extremists wielding stones, knives, and guns was a stark reminder that israel must constantly be on guard. And poverty continued to plague the dying population of Holocaust survivors in israel and across the former soviet Union. Thankfully, these challenges were met head-on by israel’s faithful friends. Thanks to your generosity, last year thousands of Jews made aliyah (immigrated to israel) on our Fellowship Freedom Flights – more than 2,000 from Ukraine alone – escaping poverty and oppression. During the wave of terror, you provided aid for victims and support for weary israel Defense Forces troops in israel. You also gave food and heating assistance to impoverished Holocaust survivors, ensuring their final years are spent in comfort and dignity. in addition, The Fellowship launched a new initiative to the African-American church community, working to restore the historical and spiritual bonds between African Americans and Jews. And i was humbled and pleased by the release of my biography, The Bridge Builder, in August. You are the reason we can build bridges of help and hope to those in need, in danger, and in diverse communities who are united by a love for god and His people. i cannot express the depth of my gratitude for your partnership in this work. Your faithfulness brings to mind Proverbs 19:17, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” i pray god does indeed bless you mightily for the many ways you blessed israel and Jewish people in need around the world throughout 2015 – and will continue to bless them in the years to come. With prayers for shalom, peace, Rabbi Yechiel eckstein Founder and President Bridge Builder book launch with daughter Yael Giving aid to the Israel Defense Forces Being honored by one of our partners Meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu

4 Annual Report 2015 WorldWide 1,592,764 people received The Fellowship’s lifesaving aid in 2015 – nearly 200,000 more than in 2014 – all thanks to the loving support of our compassionate donors. Helping the Needy Around the World WorldWide 51,000 people benefited from The Fellowship’s commitment to increase security at Jewish institutions worldwide Thanks to you, 2,247,440 meals were distributed 28,100 impoverished Israeli children in Israel in 2015: in israeli soup kitchens to were given new clothing for impoverished elderly, mothers, Passover and Rosh Hashanah. and schoolchildren.

5 Former soviet union (Fsu) 373,307 children and elderly 17,216 students in the former soviet Union received meals so they would received food, medicine, not go hungry and could focus and clothing. on their studies. ukraine Over 2,000 immigrants made aliyah (immigrated to israel) from war-torn Ukraine aboard Fellowship Freedom Flights. Jordan 400 Syrian refugees who fled to Jordan received lifesaving assistance, including grants to help two sisters continue their college education. 24,234 elderly Israelis 16,390 Israelis suffering from the wave 373,480 people were blessed with received winter warmth of terror in israel were blessed by The the gift of food – either by receiving assistance so they would Fellowship’s emergency relief efforts, food packages or vouchers, or by not freeze. including grants for victims of terror visiting one of The Fellowship’s attacks. 17 soup kitchens.

6 Annual Report 2015 From Constant Fear to Being Cared for Like Family Guardians Guardians of israel provides food, clothing, shelter, housing, and other essentials to needy Israelis, including children and the elderly, who are suffering due to poverty, terrorism, and war. of Israel ®

7 lga, an 84-year-old Olga receives a monthly food The first thought that came woman from the former card from The Fellowship, to Olga’s mind was to call Osoviet Union, possesses which enables her to Julie Orper, a coordinator a strength born of heartache. purchase whatever food she for The Fellowship’s With “Two years ago our only chooses, a huge help for this Dignity and Fellowship daughter was killed in a car couple who barely make program, which provides crash,” Olga says, fighting ends meet. food, medicine, and back tears. “Her daughter, companionship for israel’s “To be honest, leaving the our only grandchild, had died impoverished elderly. “Julie apartment is therapeutic for of cancer a few years before is so wonderful – she cares me. My husband is the love that. Other than my husband, for me like a daughter,” says of my life, and i’m happy to i have no other family here Olga. “i knew she would care for him, but it’s hard. in israel.” come up with a solution.” sometimes i just need to get When Olga was Olga’s husband is out and clear my head.” Julie sent a volunteer, who too afraid to go to homebound and suffers did Olga’s shopping for her. from advanced Parkinson’s Unfortunately, the wave of “i can’t tell you how thankful the supermarket disease. They live in terror attacks that gripped i am to The Fellowship and during the wave a small apartment in israel last fall traumatized its donors for all they do. i Jerusalem’s Armon Hanatziv of terror in Israel, Olga, making her too afraid was surprised when i was neighborhood, which borders to leave her apartment. first told about the elderly The Fellowship “We live right next to an an area that is a hotbed of program. People we don’t delivered islamic radicalism. several Arab village from where even know are looking out terrorist attacks have been terrorists have come and for us on a monthly basis. lifesaving perpetrated by residents of committed attacks. i was “now i see that the care essentials. goes beyond the gift of a that neighborhood on their living in constant fear and Jewish neighbors. anxiety,” she says. food card, which we need Olga cares for her husband Olga’s fear presented a real to survive. it’s also about with great devotion. “My problem when she needed giving us hope when we have husband requires constant to go to the supermarket. nowhere else to turn. i’ve care,” says Olga. “i can’t leave “We had no food, but i lost almost my entire family. him alone for long periods of was too afraid to leave the it’s wonderful knowing i time. The only time i really apartment,” she says. “i have a huge family of people leave the apartment is when need to take two buses to i’ve never met, but who care i go to the supermarket or the supermarket and i was about me. god bless Rabbi when i need to run errands.” afraid to even walk outside.” eckstein and The Fellowship!”

8 Annual Report 2015 Helping a Young Man in Need See a Brighter Future ISAIAH 58 provides children and elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union (FSU) with food, clothing, heating, and other necessities, and rescues orphaned and abandoned Jewish children from life on the streets by funding Jewish children’s homes throughout the FSU.

9 natoly, 12, is the only Anatoly hopes that if he However, the family’s most man in his family. does well in school, he will dire need is for medical A Anatoly’s grandmother eventually be able to pull care. Anatoly needs dental raised his mother on her his family out of poverty. care and new glasses, as his own, and now his mother is For now, though, every day eyesight has deteriorated raising Anatoly alone, too. is a struggle. “We are in over the years. His family debt for unpaid utilities, cannot afford to pay for While the family treats one and i don’t know how to either. another tenderly, trying their pay it off,” says Anatoly’s hardest to make the best Thankfully, The Fellowship of a difficult situation, they Anatoly finally grandmother. This financial stepped in to purchase new stress wears her down, struggle financially. Only has daily food and glasses for Anatoly and Anatoly’s grandmother has a aggravating her high blood covered the cost for a visit to needed glasses, pressure, which both she job, but because of her age, the dentist. The Fellowship thanks to The suffer from. it is too hard for her to work and Anatoly’s mother also helps Anatoly on a daily full-time. she barely makes basis, providing him with enough to justify her hours. Fellowship. They don’t even have a a bank card that he uses to The family’s only other livable apartment. One purchase food, which is one income is the small state of the two rooms is so less thing for his family to allowance given to Anatoly poorly insulated that in the worry about. and his mother because winter it is nearly freezing. With so much instability in they are a single-parent Consequently, all three Anatoly’s life, The Fellowship family. family members share provides his family with one room. Anatoly’s bed is The family’s poverty reflects the comfort of knowing separated from the women’s the poor economy in their they have support during beds by a thin curtain. Russian city. When Anatoly times of extreme need. was younger, he attended nothing works properly in They know they can rely a Jewish day school, but it their bathroom, including on The Fellowship and our closed due to lack of funds. the pipes, the toilet, loving Christian and Jewish He now attends a large the windows, and the supporters around the public school, where he has electricity. The wallpaper world to make sure their once again risen to the top is faded and the walls are family survives this of his class. water-stained. financial hardship. Anatoly hopes that if he does well in school, he will eventually be able to pull his family out of poverty.

10 Annual Report 2015 Starting a New Life in Their Biblical Homeland On Wings Of EaglEs helps Jews make aliyah (immigrate to Israel) from the former Soviet Union, Europe, Arab lands, and other regions, and helps them with their klitah (resettlement) needs once they arrive in the Holy Land.

11 iryam, shlomo, and walking along the streets. an unfamiliar place. During their 2-year-old nothing is tailored to their the first month in israel, she Mdaughter, gitel, are needs, and at a certain age, would burst into tears and settling happily into their people just shut themselves ask, “But where is my home? new home in the Holy up in their homes,” Miryam i want to go home.” land. They made aliyah says. “Here in netanya, and in Thankfully, she has gradually (immigrated to israel) on other places we’ve been, we gotten used to her new home one of the first Fellowship- see the elderly out and about and is once again a happy run Freedom Flights out of as they make purchases, child. The comparatively war-torn Ukraine. travel on buses, and sit in gentle climate and the parks. it’s heartwarming.” shlomo, a musician and possibility of spending sound technician by shlomo and Miryam also relatively long hours outside, Shlomo, Miryam, profession, sang and look with awe at some of even in winter, have helped and Gitel escaped the residents of israel who played at one of the events her greatly. Rabbi eckstein attended immigrated to the Holy land in Ukraine when he was war-torn Ukraine shlomo and Miryam are very years ago and received much excited about their future on one of the less assistance. “People assessing the extent of the damage and danger to the first Fellowship who came from the former in israel. Miryam attended several Fellowship-funded Jewish community there soviet Union 20 years ago and determining how The Freedom Flights. schools in her youth, and she had to leave behind all their always dreamed that one Fellowship could help. possessions. Today, thanks day she would make aliyah. to The Fellowship aid we shlomo still remembers the And shlomo felt a connection receive, it’s completely moment when he finished to the Holy land the first different,” they say. “it’s very his performance, handed the time he visited the country helpful to everyone.” microphone to Rabbi eckstein, more than a decade ago. and the two proceeded to sing The family still faces some “i opened the window in my “Our Father lives” together. difficulties – shlomo still hotel room, and Jerusalem’s “Three months later,” shlomo doesn’t know whether his Old City was in front of me. excitedly says, “both of us were parents will join them in There were stones that were on the same plane to israel!” israel, and it saddens him to thousands of years old. i was now, starting their new lives think of his daughter growing swathed in this mountain in the Holy land, shlomo and up without her grandparents. air. At that moment i knew Miryam are shocked by some And the first few weeks that this is the place where i aspects of israeli culture. “in were hard for 2-year-old want to live,” he says. “now, the place we come from, one gitel, who didn’t understand thanks to The Fellowship, doesn’t see elderly outside why she was suddenly in we’ve arrived.”

12 Annual Report 2015 Bringing Jews Home On Wings of Eagles n the final week of December 2014, The Fellowship’s first Freedom Flight landed at Ben gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, bringing new olim (immigrants) to israel from war-torn IUkraine. After months of living in the midst of violence and chaos, these Ukrainian Jews were so grateful for a fresh start in their spiritual homeland. in the year since, our Freedom Fights have rescued more than 2,000 Ukrainian Jews from the danger and instability they were facing. We’ve also expanded our Freedom Flights in order to bring home Jews from other parts of the world – including latin America, eastern europe, and across the Middle east and parts of north Africa – where anti-semitism often prevents Jews from fully living out their faith.

13 Lives Changed by Aliyah Alexander. “But ivan, our more. We also connect younger son, was getting immigrants to the larger Born and raised in istanbul, older and he began to feel Jewish community. The Turkey, Chaim and his wife, more and more Jewish. Fellowship provides these Rivkah, remember a time sometimes he would ask us immigrants who desperately when their country’s Jews why the other kids called want to escape from poverty, were treated fairly. Then him offensive names because war, or anti-semitism with they witnessed the dramatic of his Judaism. All of this the resources to be successful turn in the Turkish attitude The Fellowship is direction of moving to israel.” toward its Jewish population. together pushed us in the in israel. committed to help Chaim, who made aliyah on “We used to practice our They cannot wait to begin a suffering Jews new life in israel thanks to Judaism openly, and now a Fellowship Freedom Flight we are afraid to wear our The Fellowship! from Turkey last year, knows kippas (the traditional Jewish around the world his success comes from all skullcap) on the streets. who face daily Caring for New Olim the support he received Those with Jewish-sounding threats of war, thanks to The Fellowship. “We names have it changed so Moving to a new country is have received so much help anti-Semitism, not an easy process. Most from The Fellowship, which they can find jobs. And any and poverty by outward Jewish appearance Jews arrive without a job goes much deeper than just a such as a menorah in your or a place to live, and all of plane ticket and some money window or a mezuzah on bringing them them leave behind family and to get started,” Chaim said. to their spiritual your doorpost is avoided,” friends. And on top of these Chaim explained. With the homeland: Israel. natural concerns, many who “The Fellowship is here to answer all our questions. growing anti-semitism in wish to relocate cannot even They have helped us open a afford a ticket to israel, let Turkey, the couple feels so bank account, file for health grateful to have made aliyah alone relocation costs. This is insurance, and are helping why The Fellowship continues (immigrated to israel) with us receive social security, The Fellowship! to help new olim even after without which we could not they’ve arrived at the israeli similarly, Alexander and airport. survive in israel.” Thankfully, Tetiana from Ukraine have The Fellowship has staff When Jews hear about The dreamed of living in israel members who guide new Fellowship’s aliyah program for many years. With the olim every step of the way. we provide through On beginning of the war in Wings of Eagles, so many feel With so many suffering Jews Ukraine, the drastic increase extremely blessed to have who face daily threats of war, in the cost of living, and an opportunity to begin a anti-semitism, and poverty, continued anti-semitism new life – one with hope. The The Fellowship is committed throughout the former soviet Fellowship not only pays for a to bringing home all those Union, they see how difficult ticket to israel, we also help Jews who dream of making it has become to survive, with pre-aliyah informational aliyah and finding peace in especially with two young seminars, relocation costs, the Holy land. Thanks to our children. job placement, school faithful and compassionate “Moving to a new country choices, housing, Hebrew donors, Jews will always find isn’t an easy decision,” said language classes, and much refuge in The Fellowship.

14 Annual Report 2015 When another wave of terror began to sweep across Israel, The Fellowship rushed to help victims and to bring greater security to all of Israel. Supporting Israel Through Moshe and his wife a Time of tarting in early fall of 2015, a story became all too common: israeli citizens would be Terror Sa voice would shout “Allahu Akbar,” and the stabbing would begin. walking through the Holy City when panic would erupt, people would start screaming, We heard too many stories of israelis going grocery shopping, taking their children to school, or driving to work, only to find themselves the target of a terror attack. stabbings, shootings, stonings, flaming Molotov cocktails, and vehicular attacks – terrorists ramming their cars into crowds of innocent israelis – made it difficult to feel safe in israel. When the wave of terror began to sweep across israel, The Fellowship rushed to help the victims and bring greater security to all of israel. Practical Assistance for the Wounded victims of terror attacks face multiple challenges – healing physically, dealing with trauma, paying for unexpected medical expenses. The Fellowship helps with the latter by giving $1,000 grants to terror victims and their families to help cover medical costs and lost pay. This offers practical help – and needed encouragement – to people like Moshe.

15 Waiting at a Jerusalem Arab neighborhoods in and supermarket in another bus stop one day, Moshe around east Jerusalem. neighborhood. With a saw a speeding vehicle food card provided by The The soldiers walked the approaching. The driver was Fellowship’s With Dignity streets at night with guns a terrorist, intent on running and Fellowship program, and protective gear. However, over the israelis waiting for nina would take two buses they didn’t have access to their bus. Moshe was hit by Each of these water or electricity because to reach the grocery store. the car, but managed to run she enjoyed the chance to gifts reminds these “unfriendly” areas do away before the terrorist not support iDF soldiers. leave home and explore the struggling Israelis This left them without leaped from the driver’s seat Holy City. with a knife. Others were hydration or a place to unable to escape and were that Christian charge their phones during But while waiting at a bus friends around the stop in October, nina noticed stabbed by the attacker. the long nightly shifts. panic inside the approaching world stand strong Moshe suffered multiple bus – a terror attack The Fellowship supported alongside them. soldiers by distributing wounds to his arms and legs. was taking place inside! He was hospitalized for days, Thankfully, the israeli police backpacks filled with then required outpatient arrived and stopped the supplies – including fleece treatments. He recovered, but terrorist before he injured jackets, gloves, neck was left with the unexpected nina. But after the attack, warmers, phone chargers, medical bills. so when a she was too paralyzed with and water canteens – to more Fellowship volunteer visited fear to leave her home. After than 4,000 Border Police Moshe’s family with a check one week, she faced another officers. in addition, our for $1,000, he was thrilled. problem. “i had no food left mobile hospitality vehicle in my house, and i was afraid “i want to thank Rabbi provided snacks to soldiers to leave.” eckstein and the donors for serving long hours under this generous gift,” Moshe tense conditions, giving them Once again The Fellowship said. “i already see the needed refreshment and provided for her. “i called expenses that i’ll have as a respite. Julie, my With Dignity and result of the attack. Just as Help for the Homebound Fellowship coordinator, and important as the money, i’m explained the problem,” grateful that there are people even those who didn’t nina says. “immediately, she around the world who care directly experience a terror arranged for a volunteer to about what’s happening in attack were impacted by come to my house and do my israel and want to help.” the wave of violence. nina, a shopping for me.” nina relies 76-year-old widow from the Supporting Israel’s Jerusalem neighborhood of on her Fellowship volunteer Protectors Kiryat Menachem, witnessed and feels safe knowing she has someone to care for her. a terrible attack on her way The brave men and women likewise, each of these gifts home from a friend’s house, of the israel Defense Forces reminds struggling israelis and was left immobilized (iDF) protect the state of that Christian friends around by fear. israel every day. During the the world stand strong wave of terror attacks, many nina once was an active alongside them – especially soldiers were asked to patrol senior, shopping at a big in times of terror.

16 Annual Report 2015 At the Mount of Precipice Building Bridges ne of The Fellowship’s rich and dynamic history African-American churches central missions as allies and friends.” and The Fellowship has Between Ois to build bridges Most notably, Rabbi sponsored tours of the Holy land for leaders in the between Christians and Abraham Joshua Heschel church community. With African- two faith communities marched with Dr. Rev. King these tours, church leaders Jews and to bring these Jr. during the 1960s, and together to support israel. Jewish civil rights workers learn firsthand about the American This is why in 2014 we Andrew goodman and importance of the U.s.-israel relationship and see The officially launched our Michael schwerner died Fellowship’s lifesaving work African-American outreach Churches program, an exciting civil rights worker James throughout the Holy land. alongside African-American initiative to strengthen Chaney in their fight for in the fall of 2015, a group and Israel relationships with leaders justice. of 21 African-American in the black community. ministers joined Rabbi Today, with continued eckstein on a Fellowship- A Rich History acts of terrorism in israel, sponsored tour of israel. increasing anti-semitism The ministers were With our new outreach throughout the world, from the largest African- program, The Fellowship and the rising boycott, American Pentecostal group has a special opportunity divestment, and sanctions in the U.s., the Church of to rebuild a partnership movement, building bridges god in Christ (COgiC), that has strong historical between old friends becomes which boasts 12,000 roots. And this is exactly more important every day. churches nationwide and what excites Kristina Bishop Matthews (l) and King, Director of African- Visiting the Holy Land 6.5 million congregants in Bishop Michael Cole (r) at American Outreach for since beginning this more than 60 nations. the Sea of Galilee The Fellowship. “Unlike any initiative, The Fellowship The Fellowship is excited to other community in the has reached out to the continue rebuilding the rich world, [African Americans] African-American church bond between the African- understand the hatred and community through various American church community bigotry that the Jewish events, programs, and and the Jewish community, community has faced, and publications. Rabbi eckstein as we stand strong together both communities have a has spoken at prominent in support of israel.

On August 11, 2015, Rabbi Eckstein’s long-awaited biography, The Bridge Builder, was released. The book was written by Israeli journalist Zev Chafets, the author of 14 books, a frequent contributor to the New York Times Magazine, and a former columnist for the New York Daily News. 50 largest ngOs in America Pat Robertson: “i have known today. American Christians Yechiel for many years. This The Bridging an Ancient Gap have become one of israel’s book tells us the story of a man of great integrity who most reliable sources of The Bridge Builder tells financial and moral support. has faced many challenges Bridge the amazing story of how Few people realize that Rabbi in his work but has never Rabbi Yechiel eckstein wavered from his purpose: to eckstein and The Fellowship Builder founded the world’s largest have done an unprecedented teach Christians the biblical philanthropic organization roots of modern-day israel, good deed in bridging an of evangelical Christians ancient cultural gap. Chafets and also to encourage them in support of israel. it all to support israel and the explores Rabbi eckstein’s started when the Anti- Jewish people.” role in this important Defamation league sent interfaith evolution, showing Senator Joe Lieberman: a young Rabbi eckstein to how an American rabbi made “As you will read in these Chicago to foster interfaith major progress in promoting pages, the work wasn’t relations in the late 1970s. dialogue, cooperation, and always easy. But it is a He was surprised to see mutual respect in the face testament to my friend how responsive Christian of harsh and unrelenting Yechiel’s commitment and evangelicals were to the opposition. dedication that today the cause of supporting and organization he formed defending israel. Rabbi eckstein receives no stands at the forefront not eckstein founded the money from the sale of The only of building bridges International Fellowship of Bridge Builder – all profits go between Jews and Christians, directly to The Fellowship for Christians and Jews in 1983 but in assisting people in ministry purposes. to promote cross-cultural need both in israel and in understanding and build High Praise Jewish communities around broad support for israel the world.” and soviet Jewry, and since the book’s release, it other shared concerns. The has been featured on many Learn more at Fellowship has grown and Tv and radio programs, and BridgeBuilderBook.com thrived over the last three positively reviewed in print decades, raising more than publications and online. $1.3 billion. it is one of the This is what some have said: or ifcj.org.

Financial Overview 18 Annual Report 2015 revenue 2014 2015 Contributions $129,248,740 $135,041,466 Net Investment Income 516,837 (541,170) Other Income 112,418 103,576 total revenue $129,877,995 $134,603,872 allocations and disbursements 2014 2015 BOARD OF DiReCTORs Mission Services Chairman The Fellowship $11,483,237 $20,190,873 John P. French Orleans, MA Guardians of Israel 30,187,864 26,551,889 Isaiah 58 28,445,413 27,129,287 On Wings of Eagles 6,772,012 19,007,978 OFFiCeRs President Stand for Israel 442,261 970,948 Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein Subtotal, Mission Services 77,330,787 93,850,975 Jerusalem, israel Support Services Treasurer General and Administrative 11,806,348 13,448,517 Edward Lasky Fundraising 16,755,568 19,972,698 northbrook, il total allocations and disbursements $105,892,703 $127,272,190 Secretary Barbara Manuel Other Items 260,178 $109,062 Orleans, MA increase in net assets $23,725,114 $7,440,744 DiReCTORs net assets 2014 2015 David Clark Beginning of Year 15,997,387 $39,722,501 Frisco, TX End of Year $39,722,501 $47,163,245 J.R. Dupell Odessa, Fl The International Fellowship of expense BreakdoWn Christians and Jews is a 501 (c)(3) Steven Hefter nonprofit organization. The Highland Park, il Fundraising Fellowship pledges to maintain an effective outreach as set forth 15% in our mission statement by Andrew Lappin responsibly utilizing the funds entrusted to us. Complete audited glencoe, il General and financial statements are available mission administrative upon request. Contributions to The Suzanne Peyser services 11% Fellowship, and all our programs, are Bethesda, MD 74% tax deductible as allowed by law. Worldwide programs to support relief, outreach, and solidarity with Israel mission services expense Breakdown: and her people 22% the Fellowship 28% Guardians of israel 29% isaiah 58 20% on Wings of eagles 1% stand for israel

19 Words of Appreciation These are just a sampling of the many letters of thanks we received for The Fellowship’s work in 2015. Kind Acts A Better Life A Lasting Impression During this difficult i’m writing this We approached the truck and saw the familiar logo time, i was not letter out of with the name of The Fellowship – and the nice man sure we’d find the excitement and proclaimed loudly that everyone was invited to take energy to celebrate appreciation for whatever they want and as much as they want! There Passover. But you your generous were cold drinks, snacks, chocolate, and popsicles. As provided food and donation and for a veteran reserve soldier, this gesture made more of clothing vouchers The Fellowship’s an impression on me than any i have experienced in that helped us cope. wonderful Kupat many years. i thank you on behalf of all the soldiers Thanks to you we Yedidut [Fellowship and members of the unit. were able to buy our Fund] project. Your — iti Binyamin, reservist in the golan Heights, writing children everything donation allows about the iDF Fellowship vehicle they needed. As us to provide a a family that has solution to those been through many who turn to us in After the Attack difficulties, I thank order to improve Two months ago i was injured in a terrorist attack god for the kindness the quality of life and wounded in the face. i’d like to thank Rabbi He has shown us for them and their eckstein and his entire staff for the support and the through you. families. contribution. — a father of two — Amnon Assaf, children Director of social — Jane, who received a grant to help with costs related to her injuries services, imanuel local Council Thank you! Border police with filled backpacks provided by The Fellowship. The sign reads: Jerusalem Border Police Moriah Unit 101 says thank you At a Fellowship soup kitchen in Ukraine. to The Fellowship for the donation.

Annual Report 2015 30 n. lasalle st., suite 4300 Chicago, il 60602 800/486-8844 (Phone) 312/641-7201 (Fax) [email protected] www.ifcj.org Credits: Cover graphic: MarketOne Consultants | Graphic Design: BCDesign | Cover photos, left to right: IFCJ | JDC/Vladimir Shraga | IFCJ | IFCJ | • Page 2, left: Olivier Fitoussi | center: IFCJ | right: IFCJ • Page 3: Rabbi photo: Yossi Zwecker | left: Noam Moskowitz | center: Chamah | right: Olivier Fitoussi • Page 4, left: Olivier Fitoussi | right: Daniel Bar On • Page 5: left: IFCJ | center: Daniel Bar On | right: IFCJ • Page 6: Marc Israel Sellem • Page 7, top: IFCJ | bottom left to right: Daniel Bar On | Baz Ratner | IFCJ | Sergiy Polezhaka • Page 8: JDC/Vladimir Shraga • Page 9, top: JDC/Vladimir Shraga | left to right: Chamah | JDC/ Vladimir Shraga | FJC | JDC • Page 10: IFCJ • Page 11, top: IFCJ | bottom left to right: IFCJ | Gil Tevet | IFCJ | IFCJ • Page 12, top: Daniel Bar On | bottom left to right: Daniel Bar On | IFCJ | Olivier Fitoussi • Page 14, top left: IFCJ | top right: IFCJ | bottom left to right: IFCJ | Amos Ben Gershom/GPO/ASHERNET | IFCJ • Page 16, top: IFCJ | bottom: IFCJ • Page 19, upper left: IFCJ | upper center: Daniel Bar On | upper right: IFCJ | bottom left: Border Police Moriah Unit 101 | bottom right: FJC