The Mission of Israel Benevolence Fund

The Israel Benevolence Fund (IBF) is an outreach to orphans and widows in the land of Israel that seeks their physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. The Brit Chadashah (New Testament) teaches:

“The religious observance that the Father considers pure is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.” (James 1:27)

IBF was birthed in the heart of Messianic Rabbi Ron Aaronson, Associate Messianic Rabbi at Congregation Beth Messiah, Houston, Texas. The LORD spoke to him one morning while running. The message was: “It is more important to feed hungry widows and orphans than it is to plant trees in Israel.” Rabbi Aaronson, seeking the next move, responded to further leadings from God and “thus IBF was born.” Isaiah 58:6-12 tells us to help clothe, feed and encourage others. The Messiah tells us the same thing in Matthew 25. As He said in that portion of Scripture, when He was hungry, naked, in prison and thirsty, “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

Over 600,000 Jewish orphans and widows live in Israel today, approximately 11.7% of the total population. In addition, almost 65,000 Holocaust survivors living in the Land exist in dire poverty, desperately needing food and medical help.

“THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT TO BE.” We can no longer hide our faces from them as their cry for help must be answered. Remember, it was the Apostle Paul in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) who thanked the communities of Macedonia and Achaia because they were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the people of Jerusalem. We have the honor and calling to do the same. (Romans 15:25-27)

As part of  their ministry, IBF seeks to hold classes for single parents, to provide training, education and hands-on work opportunities for them as well as to provide spiritual guidance dealing with child rearing. The IBF also aspires to encourage families outside of Israel to adopt a family or a child in order to help them with food, clothing and the most basic needs of everyday life. The IBF further seeks to help children with needed school supplies and even dental help, especially for the Ethiopian Jewish community. The IBF is working with ministries in Israel to help fulfill God’s call to care for orphans and the widows, the hungry and those in need.

Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you…”

Would you please help Rabbi Aaronson and his IBF team in Israel? To find out more information from Rabbi Ron you can contact him through Congregation Beth Messiah’s office at 713.271.5757. Please make checks payable to Congregation Beth Messiah and write Israel Benevolence Fund or IBF in the memo line. They can be mailed to:

Congregation Beth Messiah
9001 West Airport
Houston, TX 77071