Nearly one in five Israelis live below the poverty line, according to Israel’s National Insurance Institute. Ever-widening socioeconomic gaps are deeply affecting the country’s most vulnerable—the elderly, working poor, new immigrants, and single mothers are hit hardest among them. Many are unable to meet basic needs and have nowhere to turn for help.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein recognized this urgent need for people in dire circumstances to have one source to turn to in times of despair. His desire was to create an organization that ensured “all Israelis know they are never alone . . . they always have someone to turn to.”

In 2016, Rabbi Eckstein established the first national call center, where anyone in need could be heard and receive assistance and hope. Since that time, this phone line has been a source of hope to those who are in crisis in Israel. Here, trained operators—fluent in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, French, and Spanish—answer calls and connect those in need with specific help. While social workers can typically take weeks or months to respond in urgent cases, the hotline is able to act immediately with help, arriving only hours after the initial phone conversation.

How We Help

Although the needs addressed by The Eckstein Project vary from caller to caller, we primarily offer emergency assistance related to:

  • Nutritional insecurity
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Utility bills
  • Clothing
  • Employment
  • Medicines
  • … and more!

Because of the generous support of people like you, we listen, help, and give hope daily to Israel’s most at-risk citizens. Literally saving lives.

Our Leadership

After the untimely death of our founder, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, in 2019, the organization has been led by:

Joelle Eckstein

Joelle was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain and moved to Israel in 1983. After completing her studies at Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University, she joined the travel business, where she first learned about Christian tourism to Israel. She then went on to fulfill her dream of becoming an artist and opened her own handmade jewelry business, only to discover her real passion of helping others through the work of her late husband, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.

Joelle dropped everything to join him in his holy mission, until his sudden passing in 2019. Turning her pain into purpose, she started a new nonprofit in her husband’s memory to continue his dream. Her husband’s vision became her mission. Joelle is a mother of 2 and is fluent in Spanish, French, Hebrew, and English.

Hadas Tsarfati

A seven generation Jerusalemite, Hadas Tsarfati has over 20 years of professional background in organizational management as well as the supervision and motivation of hundreds of staff reporting to her.

In addition, Hadas managed national projects and has extensive experience in implementing projects of social and business value.

Hadas has a law degree and also serves as a mentor to special needs young adults. Hadas’ multi-sectoral knowledge and experience in the private, social and public fields enables her to look at and manage tasks accurately and effectively.

In 2016, Hadas decided to join the nonprofit community and use her business knowledge for the benefit of at-risk citizen.

She recently received her Israeli tour guide license.