ACTIVISM AND INNOVATION

Yael Eckstein

President, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

One of the world's leading Jewish interfaith activists, in February 2019 Yael Eckstein suddenly found herself taking the helm of the Jerusalem and Chicago-based International Fellowship of Christians and Jews following the tragic death of her father, Rabbi Yehiel Eckstein, its founder and president. Rabbi Eckstein first founded the Fellowship to promote interfaith understanding between Christians and Jews -- a mission his daughter says will remain the organization’s focus. She was already named president-elect in advance of her father’s retirement, which had been set for 2021. Eckstein is currently advocating on behalf Father Vladimir Tobin, a Canadian Eastern Orthodox priest who was removed by church authorities from his church in Halifax after he spoke warmly of the Jewish roots of Christianity and prayed for Israel. “In case you've ever wondered whether the work of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is important, this is exhibit A,” Eckstein said of Father Tobin's cause. (Photo: IFCJ Canada / Screenshot)