The city of Lod, in central Israel, is about to get a boost. A $3.4 million boost, from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ). The organization?s president, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, announced that the funds would be ?emergency relief? for the city, which faces difficulties in the areas of social services and immigrant absorption. The Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and Lod mayor Maxim Levy met with Rabbi Eckstein earlier this month to discuss the practical application of the funds. Some of the projects are a youth club for immigrant youth, a club for older immigrants, six new social services and immigrant absorption positions will be created in the municipality, and additional budgets will be given for equipment, social services and other projects, reports the Jewish Agency?s Global Jewish Agenda.
The assistance to Lod, along with over $60 million raised in recent years, was made possible primarily by donations from Christian friends of Israel. ?With this donation,? Rabbi Eckstein said, ?they wish to express their support for the Jewish people during this difficult time.? Recent IFCJ projects have focused on aliyah and absorption, poverty relief, social welfare in Israel, along with special assistance to 20 cities throughout Israel. The organization is now reviewing requests from 20 additional cities, reports Global Jewish Agenda.
The assistance to Lod, along with over $60 million raised in recent years, was made possible primarily by donations from Christian friends of Israel. ?With this donation,? Rabbi Eckstein said, ?they wish to express their support for the Jewish people during this difficult time.? Recent IFCJ projects have focused on aliyah and absorption, poverty relief, social welfare in Israel, along with special assistance to 20 cities throughout Israel. The organization is now reviewing requests from 20 additional cities, reports Global Jewish Agenda.