By Laurina Driesse

Aliyah Day (Yom HaAliyah) officially begins on Friday evening in Israel, and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem joins the nation in marking the miraculous modern-day return of Jews to their ancestral homeland. Since 1980, the ICEJ has assisted over 193,000 Jewish immigrants from around the world in making Aliyah to Israel.

Despite the challenges of the current war with Iran, we are still seeing many Jews make Aliyah as global antisemitism rises. Recent statistics from The Jewish Agency for Israel show that Jewish immigration from Western Europe has continued to increase in the first two months of this year, with 1138 olim (newcomers) arriving in Israel so far. Of these Jewish immigrants, 650 came from France alone, while Aliyah from Germany also continues to increase. Overall, 2,564 olim have made it home to Israel in the first two months of this year. Since the war started with the Hamas terror invasion on October 7, 2023, more than 62,782 Jewish immigrants have landed in Israel.

The ICEJ’s support for Aliyah remains unwavering as we witness the fulfilment of God’s promises through the Hebrew prophets. “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:24)

Prior to the start of this latest war with Iran, the Israeli government had launched Operation Wings of Dawn (Kanfei Shahar), a five-year plan to bring home from India every last member of the Bnei Menashe tribe – some 5,800 people officially recognised as descendants of ancient Israel. Of these, 1,200 Bnei Menashe are expected to arrive this year, starting with the first flight of 250, which is now re-scheduled for April 23. The Christian Embassy is sponsoring Aliyah flights for 100 of these newcomers, and we look forward to being there to welcome them home.

Two additional flights of Bnei Menashe immigrants are currently planned by early May, and the ICEJ needs your help in sponsoring more such flights for these precious members of the Bnei Menashe tribe throughout the year.

Besides the Aliyah of the Bnei Menashe, the ICEJ also has committed to sponsoring 100 Youth Aliyah flights this year from Russian-speaking countries of the former Soviet Union.

First, the ICEJ is sponsoring flights for 50 Jewish youths participating in JAFI’s Naale program, which brings teenagers as young as 14 to Israel to study and embrace their Jewish heritage ahead of their parents making Aliyah. The program offers more than just learning in an Israeli high school, it also immerses them in Israeli culture during their most formative years. Students live in boarding schools, celebrate Jewish holidays as national events, and build lifelong social networks. This deep integration often leads them to stay for military service, university, and beyond, while the parents usually follow. The ICEJ-sponsored Naale flights will arrive at the end of August.

In addition, 50 Russian-speaking youths participating in the SELA university preparatory program will arrive in Israel on an ICEJ-sponsored flight in October. SELA, meaning “rock” in Hebrew, is a ten-month preparatory program run by the Jewish Agency for Israel. These Jewish youth, aged 17 or 18, will take their first steps on a life-changing journey towards studying in an Israeli university and becoming Israeli citizens.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Aliyah and integration will remain another key ICEJ focus this year. Thousands of Ethiopian Jews are still waiting in Gondar and Addis Ababa to be reunited with loved ones already in Israel. There are over 1,200 waiting to come as soon as the war allows. The Christian Embassy will be there to help them make the journey home while also funding integration programs to assist these Ethiopian Jewish immigrants in overcoming the large cultural and economic gaps to fully absorb themselves into Israeli society.

We invite you to partner with us in helping to fulfil the biblical mandate of Jewish return to the Land of Israel. Please support our Aliyah efforts today.

Please enjoy this video of ICEJ welcoming Jewish immigrants home to Israel.

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