Yael Eckstein – Salary and Financial Struggles Are Additional Challenges Israelis Face Amidst the Ongoing War

Yael Eckstein, the President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ or The Fellowship), which was founded by her late father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, leads the largest humanitarian aid organization in Israel. The ongoing war brings immense challenges to both the organization and many Israeli citizens. The war’s financial strain is affecting Israel’s stability, particularly in terms of salaries, employment, and long-term economic risks for the younger population. As discussions around the financial impact continue, Yael Eckstein salary remains a point of consideration in relation to the broader economic challenges.

Since stepping into her father’s role, Yael Eckstein has received praise for her leadership. Under her guidance, the organization has become even more crucial to the well-being of Israel, especially in these difficult times. Salary and financial difficulties are just another significant battle that Israelis are currently facing.

Examining Israel’s Current Financial Struggles

One of the most pressing issues in Israel today is child poverty, particularly in households with young children. A recent study by the Taub Center revealed that nearly one-third of children aged four and younger live below the poverty line, with a significantly higher percentage of Haredi and Arab children in this group. Over half of these children in Haredi and Arab communities fall below the poverty threshold.

The study highlights a stark disparity among different population groups. In 2018, more than half of Arab and Haredi households with young children lived in poverty—58% for Arab households and 55% for Haredi households—while only 8% of non-Haredi Jewish households experienced poverty.

Additionally, the research exposes economic disparities, noting that 87% of households with no wage earners and 57% of households with just one wage earner face poverty. Even among two-income households, around 10% remain below the poverty line.

Interestingly, a significant proportion of Haredi and Arab households in poverty own their homes, with 72% of Haredi and 82% of Arab households being homeowners compared to just 40% of non-Haredi Jewish households. Despite homeownership, these families spend far less per capita on education and early childhood care, raising concerns about the accessibility and quality of these services for children in impoverished homes.

Religious and Cultural Factors Affecting Haredi Financial Well-being

The unique dynamics of Haredi households also contribute to the financial struggles faced by many families. Many Haredi men prioritize religious study over employment, relying on their wives—who are often more secularly educated—to support the family financially.

The limited working hours and lower levels of academic education within Haredi households contribute to higher rates of poverty. Additionally, the large family sizes common in these households further exacerbate the financial strain. Non-Haredi Jewish households make up 65% of all households with children aged four and younger but only about 22% of the households living below the poverty line in this age group.

Possible Solutions to Financial Inequality

The study suggests various policy measures to combat child poverty. These include targeted assistance for vulnerable groups, increased participation in the labor force, and a reevaluation of income support programs.

Government assistance has helped reduce child poverty by approximately 11% for children up to four years old. However, its impact varies significantly among different groups. For example, 27% of non-Haredi Jewish children are lifted out of poverty through transfers, but only 12% of Haredi children benefit, and Arab children actually see a 2% increase in poverty due to these transfers.

Identifying the most vulnerable populations—such as households with young parents or self-employed workers—is crucial for creating targeted assistance programs. Policymakers must also focus on increasing labor force participation, work hours, and educational opportunities to address these issues.

Evaluating the efficiency of income support and unemployment insurance programs is essential. This involves looking at benefit amounts, eligibility criteria, and their effects on different population sectors. Policymakers need to make adjustments to ensure more equitable distribution of these transfers, particularly among Arab communities, who currently receive less assistance than both Haredi and non-Haredi Jewish populations.

The government’s early childhood education program has also been revised to enhance the quality of benefits for working parents. However, to truly support vulnerable populations like impoverished Arab and Haredi households, efforts must be made to expand eligibility and improve the accessibility of these programs.

How IFCJ Helps Those Facing Financial Hardships

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews prioritizes aiding orphans, children, and families in need across Israel. IFCJ addresses the critical needs of impoverished children and orphans by providing food, medicine, clothing, housing, and long-term care, as well as employment opportunities.

The charity ensures that orphans and impoverished families receive the support they need to thrive, from providing basic necessities to offering safe places for children to live. Donations from compassionate supporters play a vital role in sustaining these efforts, enabling IFCJ to continue delivering essential aid.

In 2022, IFCJ played a crucial role in responding to the Ukraine crisis, providing $28 million in aid and bringing over 4,600 Ukrainian refugees to Israel. Among those helped were 1,600 children and staff from Ukrainian orphanages. As the war continues, IFCJ remains dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations in both Israel and abroad.