A Heartfelt "Thank You" from Rabbi Eckstein!
Friday, January 30, 2009

Dear Friend of Israel,

I write today to say thank you. Your recent gift has helped The Fellowship provide emergency aid to Israelis living in the firing line of Hamas missiles. We are privileged to have friends like you who truly believe in our mission of supporting Israel and needy Jews in Israel and around the world. And what a blessing that support has been as Israel is engaged in a war to protect her people!

During my travels with Fellowship staff through southern Israel distributing emergency needs, I have heard frequently from so many people about the incredible help your assistance has provided, and the great encouragement your support has given Israelis. Today, I want to let some of them speak, so you can appreciate the tremendous impact of your generosity:

Yvette and her husband are deeply grateful for the Fellowship-sponsored renovations to their bomb shelter, which has become their home during this war. “I have nothing but thanks for your organization for giving us a shelter where we can be safe,” she said. “You’ve done more than we could have imagined. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that Christians care. May you continue helping Israel and be blessed for your efforts.”

Yaakov lives in the city of Netivot, where two terrorist missiles killed one man and wounded four others. “Thank God for your donations which have funded the renovations to this shelter,” Yaakov said. “This is a time for everyone to come to the defense of the Jewish people. There are so many people who need help of every kind. The most important thing, however, is that now we know we have friends.”

The mayor of Ashkelon, one of the cities whose people have suffered greatly during the war, told me that just last week a shelter renovated by The Fellowship was struck by a missile. You can feel proud knowing that your support literally saved the lives of dozens of people who took refuge inside. “They will never forget their Christian friends from across the ocean who saved their lives that day,” said the mayor. “Every time they enter the shelter they read the sign that says ‘A Gift from Christians with Love’ and they enter feeling confident that their families will be safe and sound.”

My friends, these are just a few of the thousands of Israelis whose lives have been touched – and, in many cases, saved – through your generous heart for God’s people. Let me again add my thanks to theirs. May God bless you for standing with us over these years, during times of (relative) peace, and during these times of war.

With prayers for shalom, peace,