Is Israel Really "Needy"?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

(Editor's Note: The following article and letter cast some light on the reality of poverty in Israel. While Israel is unquestionably a miracle and a thriving democracy with the strongest free market economy in the Middle East, the harsh scepter of poverty in the Holy Land cannot be denied. The MJAA's Joseph Project is one of the ministries in Israel reaching out to many Israelis who need spiritual and practical help. Without the prayers and support of friends like you, the Joseph Project could not be the blessing it is, as indicated in the following article. For this we thank you! Joel Chernoff, MJAA General Secretary.)

Recently the MJAA’s Joseph Project held a distribution at a state orphanage housing 407 youth, who picked out clothing from tables loaded with new clothes.  As one of the large aid importers in Israel, from time to time, the Joseph Project is asked about the finances of the State of Israel, as it appears that Israel takes pride in the publicizing of its organizations reaching out to other countries in need.  This can appear that Israel has no financial problems of her own.  However, to the contrary, the Bank of Israel has just come out with a report concerning the continuing financial crisis in Israel.  The article follows: 

Bank of Israel report: One in four Israelis over the age of 65 is poor
 
By Moti Bassok, Haaretz Correspondent 
3/24/08
 
Over one-fourth of Israelis aged 65 and over were under the poverty line in June 2007. Families headed by a person in this age category are more than twice as likely to be poor than other families.
 
The Bank of Israel report from which these figures are taken, which will be released on April 1, emphasizes the importance of National Insurance Institute [NII] allowances in reducing poverty among the elderly. In 2006 there were about 700,000 people in Israel aged 65 and up, or about 10 percent of the population. At 24.3 percent, the percentage of those classified as poor was high by international standards. . .
 
Without government stipends in general and the old-age allowances in particular, more than half of the country's elderly would be under the poverty line. In 2007, the monthly old-age allowance combined with income support came to NIS 2,181, about 28 percent of the average monthly wage and sufficient to stay above the poverty line for the year. Ostensibly, the incidence of poverty should be lower than the actual incidence; it was higher because some people do not qualify for an old-age stipends and because the qualification criteria for income support are strict. . .
 
Food Container Supply for Jerusalem Outreach
 
Styrofoam meal containers supplied by Friendships International have been distributed by the Joseph Project for some time to several meal “soup kitchens” in the country.
One “soup kitchen” recently wrote to thank the Joseph Project for its efforts on behalf of the homeless and the needy.  The letter follows: 

Dear Joseph Project:
 
On behalf of JGM I would like to thank Joseph Project for its recent generous donation of additional styrofoam food containers to our ministry.  As per our recent discussion on the telephone, I thought I would give you some background on how those donations are used.
 
Our heaviest days are Fridays, the start of Shabbat, when there seems to be the greatest number of homeless on the streets - no doubt due to the fact that everything in Jerusalem more or less closes down during the 24-hour Shabbat period from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, with early Friday being their last opportunity to receive food before the 24 hour quiet time.  Joseph Project's contribution of styrofoam containers is absolutely invaluable to the effectiveness of JGM's food distribution.  We are not a large ministry, therefore financial donations from various sources are not substantial.  Also, it is our goal to keep administrative costs (including supplies) to an absolute minimum so that donors can be assured that every possible cent of every dollar is being spent on the food itself. 
 
I am so grateful that the contribution from Joseph Project helps us literally to put more food in the stomachs of Jerusalem's poor/homeless, while keeping operating costs at a minimum.  May the Lord bless you and Joseph Project for its willingness to serve the Lord as you are doing now, and may He continue to shine His face on everything you do in His service.
 
In His unfailing love,
 
David
Jaffa Gate Ministries