START-UP NATION FACES MAJOR POVERTY AND HUNGER ISSUES:

 Israel is given tremendous credit as a global leader in education, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, one-fourth of the country lives below the poverty line. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently reported that Israel has the second highest poverty rate among its 34 member countries. When walking around the glittering streets of Tel Aviv, whose modern buildings and sophisticated, high-end restaurants boast prosperity, Israel seems far from a poor country. Like many other western nations, though, Israel faces a major pay gap, a phenomenon that is entirely consistent with being the "start-up nation." Additionally, various minorities, including Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews, present different cultural and religious challenges that contribute to broader economic problems. Also, Israel is a country built on immigrants, and it takes a significant amount of time for new citizens to integrate into an entirely different economic system. Some 18% of Israelis suffer from food insecurity. (J. Post) Pray according to scripture: "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Isa 61:7