Eckstein was the founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews , an organization that raises funds almost exclusively from Christian evangelicals to support social causes in Israel and the Jewish world. An Orthodox rabbi, Eckstein created the organization 40 years ago after stepping down from a senior executive position he held in the Anti-Defamation League. He moved to Israel in Large posters featuring photos of him welcoming immigrants to Israel decorate the terminals of Ben-Gurion International Airport.
His distinctive American-accented English was regularly heard on radio commercials, particularly during the Jewish holiday season, lauding efforts by his organization to feed and clothe the poor in Israel.
He was known to say that it was a matter of convincing them to give up the weekly pizza night out to help the people of Israel. May his memory be a blessing. Isaac Herzog, whose Jewish Agency handles key aspects of immigration by Jews to Israel, and serves as a prime beneficiary of Diaspora donations to Israel, paid tribute to Eckstein for his work with the Jewish community. I worked with Rabbi Eckstein on social welfare, diaspora and Aliyah. We cherished his stalwart passion for the Jewish people, Israel, and for aiding the neediest among us.
His vision, dedication, and urgent call for the ongoing relief of Jews in need serves as a lesson to us all and will serve as a legacy for generations to come.
He raised significant resources that helped many. Born in New York in , Eckstein moved with his family to Ottawa, Canada, at the age of one after his father was appointed chief rabbi.
During his time in Chicago, Eckstein realized that the evangelical Christian community was willing to stand alongside the Jewish community. Eckstein left the ADL and tried to convince Jewish organizations to create ties with Christian groups, but the idea was rejected by most within the community.
The organization runs about programs across Israel — Eckstein can name most of them — and has over 5, volunteers. Some of the programs, once they are on their feet and have proven themselves, are turned over to the Israeli government, leaving the fellowship free to embark on new ones.
The plans for the building are almost completed as the fundraising continues. The center will include a memorial to her father, as well as an auditorium and other areas that can be rented out to defray its costs. Eckstein says her organization also has to educate Christian youth — her future donors — about why Israel is important. Like young Jews, they are often disassociated and assimilated. She notes that there are Christian colleges and seminaries in the United States alone, and they are a good place to start.
She wants the fellowship to reach them before the Boycott Israel movement. The fellowship finished the last fiscal year in the red, down about 5 percent of its actual budget. Among the unexpected expenses was the war in Ukraine, during which the fellowship helped evacuate Jews to Israel. And donations are dropping. Yechiel Eckstein clearly was looking forward to his retirement but, his daughter says, his soul may have known what was actually in store. At the recent Friends of the IDF Gala in Los Angeles, which she attended with her father since the fellowship provides it with funding, the rabbi introduced his daughter as his successor.
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