From the Readers

UN’s Date of 8 Billion

As you may have seen, the UN celebrated the “Day of 8 Billion” recently. Despite it taking 12 years for the world to grow from 7 billion to 8 billion, the global population is slowing. (It is projected that it will take 15 years to reach 9 billion.)

For the last 70 years, fertility rates have decreased by 50% worldwide, yet few of us have been thinking about the social and economic impact that communities will need to prepare for.

Stephen J. Shaw, acclaimed data scientist and the producer of the highly anticipated forthcoming documentary, Birthgap – Childless World, is available to offer insight on the global birthrate decline and its impact on societies around the world.

“What we’re seeing is our societies are not preparing us for what lies ahead,” Shaw states. “We’re heading towards a future with too few taxpayers and too many retirees to support, communities that will be in decay with too few people left to live there, escalating taxes and intense challenges to maintain levels of pensions, healthcare, and welfare.”

In an interview, Shaw can expand on several key points of the film while also providing perspective on the trending birthrate decline and the challenges that lie ahead if this trend continues. Talking points include:

• No Immediate Solution – Current birthrates are unsustainable, yet we don’t know how to reverse the trend

• It’s Not About Family Size – This trend is NOT being driven by smaller family size.

• The Emotional Toll – Loneliness, particularly of the elderly, will become a humanitarian crisis. Shaw is highly engaging and has made numerous appearances across various media outlets.

Kara Prior Nardi Media

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Appeal from International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Shalom, Veronica, When you think of the Holy Land, you probably picture warm sand, palm trees, and a blazing sun.

But what a lot of people don’t realize is that it can get cold in Israel during the winter months. VERY cold.

That’s why an elderly widow named Tamara cried tears of joy when she opened the birthday gift she received from The Fellowship. Inside the box was a warm, thick blanket. One that would help her survive the harsh winter that’s on its way.

Give hope to lonely and elderly Jews this winter who have nowhere else to turn.

Tamara has been all alone ever since her beloved husband Yossi died. The couple had no children. There is no one left to take care of her—no one but her loving Fellowship family.

Tamara needs all the help she can get, especially as the frigid winter months approach. She receives a small pension that is supposed to pay for her rent and medication. But that’s not enough for both groceries and heat, too. With the rising costs of food, fuel, and so many other necessities, this winter will be hard for Tamara.

Can you imagine having to choose between putting food on the table and heating your home?

The cold is not only uncomfortable for seniors like Tamara— it’s life-threatening. Without proper heating, they’re vulnerable to deadly illnesses like pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Snow and ice can make it treacherous to venture outside for food or medicine.

During the winter months, far too many of our beloved Jewish seniors are trapped inside—shivering, hungry, and alone.

Give now to provide urgent winter necessities like blankets, warm clothes, and heating fuel to elderly and vulnerable Jews like Tamara, especially with the brutal winter on its way.

Because of your faithful friendship, Tamara has more than a blanket to keep her warm this winter. She is surrounded by God’s warm love.

Your loving support supplies her with groceries every single month. With the money she saves, she can afford to heat her home. Tamara praises God every day for sending us—for sending YOU—to help her. “I’m so grateful to everyone who helps Israel thrive,” she says.

Yes, Tamara is talking about YOU, Veronica … and about God’s promise to “bless those who bless [Israel]” (Genesis 12:3).

Another brutally cold winter is just around the corner, bringing with it rising costs for food and heating fuel. We must act IMMEDIATELY to rush winter clothes, blankets, heating fuel, and warm meals to isolated widows and seniors like Tamara.

The support you send today could mean the difference between life and death. Please send a compassionate gift to help vulnerable and elderly Jews survive this upcoming winter. With prayers for shalom, peace, The Fellowship