Israel—The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), in collaboration with the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers (AWIS), provided “Fellowship Gift Cards” as Chanukah gifts to over 8,000 soldiers in-need and Lone Soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) so that the soldiers could celebrate Chanukah without the burden of financial stress.

The gift cards can be used in major retail chain stores across Israel to purchase food, clothing, shoes, sports and leisure products. Among the soldiers who will receive this financial support will also be 2,500 Lone Soldiers, young men and women who choose to leave their countries of origin to immigrate to Israel and serve in the IDF.

Over the past six years, FIDF and The Fellowship have provided almost $16 million of financial support to soldiers from low-income families. As part of this support, FIDF and The Fellowship will distribute the “Fellowship Gift Cards” during the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah and Passover. This campaign is administered in collaboration with the IDF Personnel Directorate and reaches every eligible IDF soldier.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of The Fellowship, said: “The growing cycle of poverty in Israel affects many soldiers. We appreciate the soldiers who decide to serve the State of Israel and keep us all safe despite the economic difficulties they are experiencing at home. Our goal in sponsoring the ‘Fellowship Gift Cards’ is to enable them to fulfill their obligation to the state while knowing they are fulfilling their obligation to their families as well. Now they can serve with peace of mind while caring for their personal needs and the needs of their families.”

“FIDF sees in the holiday of Chanukah another opportunity to support thousands of brave IDF soldiers, who serve as the Maccabees of the 21^st Century,” stated FIDF National Director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon. “It is a great privilege, stemming from our mission and the vision of strengthening those who protect Israel, while further reinforcing the important bond between the community in America, the State of Israel, and its soldiers.”

Photo credit: Friends of the IDF