Interfaith Group Boosts Aid To Arab Israelis During Ramadan
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JERUSALEM (JTA) — The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is increasing its assistance to Arab Israelis, beginning with food and clothing aid during the Muslim holiday season of Ramadan.
The Fellowship currently is distributing 9,500 food and clothing vouchers during Ramadan, which began on May 26, up to the holiday of Eid al-Fitr through Israeli social services offices in 78 Arab and Arab-Jewish communities to more than 9,000 low-income families. The Fellowship also will distribute 5,500 food vouchers and 4,000 clothing vouchers to children in after-school clubs run by Israel’s Ministry of Social Services and Social Affairs.
The Ramadan aid is part of an overall $5.6 million that the Fellowship is providing to needy Israeli Arabs in 2017, the group said. Among the key projects are “Fellowship Funds” in 77 lower-income villages and towns that provide urgent assistance including food, medicine, clothing and transportation to medical appointments.
The Fellowship’s founder and president, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, has called on the government of Israel to bolster Israeli Arabs’ connection.
