JERUSALEM — The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is providing $4.6 million to help needy Israelis purchase food for the high holy days.

The evangelical group is distributing 46,000 gift cards to be used at local supermarkets at a cost of $4 million, as well as distributing 15,000 food baskets through the Latet and Colel Chabad organisations at a cost of $600,000.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, said: “This is the largest and most far-reaching food campaign ever in the history of Israel.

“While we have supported tens of thousands of people in Israel with food each year for quite a while, especially before the New Year holiday period, the number of people in need has unfortunately skyrocketed this year.”

The fellowship is coordinating the food campaign, which will reach hundreds of thousands of Israelis, with welfare offices across Israel.

JTA