The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, a decent, non-proselytizing charitable organization, has vowed to publicize the list of haredi recipients of its aid after rabbinical leader Rabbi Elyashiv pronounced IFCJ’s activities close to idolatry.
Taking money from Christians is doubtless unacceptable in Judaism, whose adherents pray after every meal to be spared dependence on foreigners for a living. The debate resurrects the age-old question of whether Christianity is idolatry—as maintained by almost all classical commentators, who cite the Trinity and icons as prima facie evidence of idolatry.
The IFCJ is right that haredi communities must take an honest position, and either spurn the giving hand or stop bad-mouthing it.
