As Jews around the world prepare for a second consecutive Passover holiday with Israel at war, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) is providing support and services to help more than 150,000 families celebrate the holiday.
In addition to those regularly supported by the Fellowship during the holiday season, the distribution will include thousands of evacuated families throughout Israel; the families of the 59 hostages still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, as well as those who have returned; and survivors of the Nova music festival massacre on that Black Shabbat day.
The distribution of 36 million shekels (nearly $9.5 million)—the largest holiday allocation in IFCJ’s history—is in response to the growing security and socio-economic crisis that has created new populations in need because of the effects of war.
The cost of living has continued to rise, as well as the VAT increase necessitated by the massive national investment in the war effort, making the already high cost of the holiday even more challenging.
As in previous years, 3 million shekels ($785,000) will be distributed by the IFCJ to support 100,000 families in the Former Soviet Union, many of whom are also living under the threat of war, with food boxes, assistance for the elderly and 40,000 boxes of matzah.
Included in the IFCJ 2025 Passover distribution are:
• 7 million shekels (about $1.8 million) towards 7,000 debit cards, each worth 1,000 shekels ($261.50), for evacuated families across Israel.
• 1.8 million shekels ($471,000) towards 3,000 cards, each worth 600 ($156.98) shekels, for survivors of the Nova festival massacre.
• 450,000 shekels ($118,000) towards 300 cards, each worth 1,500 shekels ($392.42), for families of the released and still-captive hostages.
• 20.3 million shekels ($5.3 million) towards 25,400 cards, each worth 800 shekels ($209.31), distributed via IFCJ welfare partners for families with specific financial needs as determined by municipal welfare agencies and partner organizations.
• 6.4 million shekels ($1.7 million) towards 16,000 cards, each worth 400 shekels ($104.64), for clothing purchases for children within the welfare system.
Yael Eckstein, president of the IFCJ, says: “We start the Passover seder each year by saying ‘May all who are hungry come and eat.’ Especially now, where Jews in Israel and around the world are both reeling from the rise of antisemitism and the heavy financial burdens due to the ongoing war, the Fellowship is answering the call for emergency Passover food aid. We’re honored to be able to help the elderly, children, hostage families and heroic IDF lone soldiers to ensure they celebrate this holiday with dignity and surrounded by love.’