(JNS) The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has mobilized to raise more than 1 million shekels (about $275,000) in emergency assistance for residents of moshav Mevo Modi’im, a small agricultural community west of Jerusalem near the city of Modi’in. The moshav sustained a massive fire on May 23 that destroyed at least 40 out of the community’s 50 homes.

From that, the Fellowship will be providing up to $5,000 in assistance for each family in Mevo Modi’im.

Mevo Modi’im was founded by the late Jewish singer and composer Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Known as “the Singing Rabbi” during his lifetime for his many original tunes and styles of prayer, Carlebach inspired many people, some of whom followed him to Mevo Modi’im.

Yael Eckstein conveyed the Fellowship’s determination to help the moshav rebuild: “The Jewish community immediately turned to us to provide the emergency aid in light of our track record in responding to every other emergency in Israel, including our prior donation of eight firetrucks and basic needs to victims in previous fires.”

She noted the contributions and support of Christian friends of Israel, who provided matching funds, saying, “During times like this, one can see who is there to respond immediately—not only from the Jewish community, but from millions of Christians around the world.”

To learn more about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jewis, visit their website – www.ifcj.org