By Howard Flower, ICEJ Aliyah Director

An ICEJ-sponsored Aliyah flight from Ethiopia landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday, 28 October, carrying 39 new Olim. The group stood together after landing, some in traditional dress, and are now all home, safe and sound, out of the war zone in Ethiopia.

Carrying their backpacks, they walked down the long terminal corridor, eager to see family members they had not seen in years, who were waiting to greet them, while a small child, carried in his father’s arms, looked back in wonder.

These 39 Jewish immigrants belong to the ancient Beta Israel community. Since the Israeli government resumed Ethiopian Aliyah in 2015, more than 7,900 Ethiopian Jews have come home, and the ICEJ has sponsored flights for over 3,500 of them. This year alone, ICEJ has helped bring 97 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, despite the renewed fighting in the Amhara and Tigray regions in the north, which has disrupted travel and made each operation more urgent.

“The arrival this evening of the 39 Olim from Ethiopia is a homecoming that has been in waiting for over 2,000 years. Of the families arriving this evening, one has journeyed from Tigray—a remote region in Ethiopia which is currently gripped by a harsh civil war. Bringing them home to Israel was nothing less than a heroic mission and a journey of courage and faith by the family”, said Danielle Mor of The Jewish Agency for Israel, describing the significance of this flight.

“For us at The Jewish Agency, it is a true privilege to be able to bring our people home despite war, despite distance, crossing over generations of time, finding new pathways in the wilderness and assisting them every step of the way. We are grateful to our friends at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem for partnering with us in this holy mission. Am Israel Chai, ” she continued.

The situation on the ground remains difficult. Thousands of Jews are still waiting in transit camps in Gondar and Addis Ababa, living in mud-walled homes without electricity or running water. Food prices have skyrocketed, and families are running out of basic supplies. Each flight offers a narrow window of opportunity.

This rescue is part of a wider pattern of Aliyah in our day, such as the endangered Bnei Menashe we are helping to bring from northeast India.

The prophet Zephaniah declared, “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, the daughters of My scattered ones, will bring My offering” (Zephaniah 3:10). We are seeing that prophecy fulfilled.

Now that these 39 Olim have landed, they will begin learning Hebrew, finding employment, and adjusting to a society vastly different from the rural villages they left behind. The ICEJ remains committed to walking with them through this process, funding not only flights but also absorption programs, educational support, and vocational training.

But we cannot do this alone. There are still thousands waiting in Ethiopia, desperate to reunite with family members already in Israel. The window of opportunity is open, but it may not stay open long. With your generous support, we can sponsor more flights and bring more of these precious Jewish people home to safety in the Promised Land.

Please join us in this sacred task. Every gift helps fulfil a dream that has sustained an ancient community for millennia—the dream of returning to Zion. Please give today to: help.icej.org/aliyah