Thirty-two years ago a young Orthodox Jewish rabbi was working for the Anti-Defamation League and was sent to Chicago to provide support against an upcoming Nazi March. In seeking Jewish support to counter the march, the rabbi encountered a challenge of garnering enough people to make their voice heard. Surprisingly, this rabbi found different notable Christian leaders that decided to stand with the Jewish people. To the rabbi, this desire to help the Jewish people led to an epiphany that created a mechanism for Jews and Christians to come together in a dialogue for shared values and understanding.
That young rabbi was Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ). For this month’s outside Israel feature David’s Star was pleased to connect with Yechiel’s daughter, Yael Eckstein, senior vice president of the IFCJ.
“The only thing Jews knew about Christians is from what they read in the history books. For the first time in 2,000 years there is an opportunity for them to come together," said Yael Eckstein
At first the organization was only based on dialogue and interfaith relations primarily centered on conferences and summits. However when the Soviet Union fell, that dialogue transformed into being a proactive organization that Christians and Jews donate money to support Jews in Russia, the Middle East and around the world.
The dialogue and activity hasn’t come without its challenges in working between the two religious groups.
“The Presbyterians giving into the BDS movement is a prime example of not all Christians being positive in supporting the Jews,” she added.
“We know not all Christians support Israel and the Jews, so there have been hurdles in getting broad Christian support. There have been just as many hurdles to overcome on the Jewish side with those that think Jews shouldn’t be accepting money from Christians, they think it is dirty money.”
Yael added those that think it is 'dirty' money do so because they think it comes with expectations and demands, when indeed it does not.
Additionally, for their efforts rabbi Eckstein wasn’t allowed in some synagogues because of his collaboration with Christians.
Yael’s sister wasn’t allowed to have her Bat Mitzvah in the synagogue the family desired for her.
Most recently the IFCJ has been under scrutiny for potentially collaborating with the Ministry of Education to support the IFCJ summer shelter programs for poor children which the Fellowship previously operated independently.
“Those that don’t believe the Jews should be taking “dirty” Christian money brought complaints to the high court of Israel and we are now in the middle of dealing with the court to determine if the IFCJ can donate money to the Israel ministry of education to help support these programs.”
International Fellowship of Christians & Jews