Frequently Asked Questions about Aliyah

How exactly do you help the Jews Home?

We partner with groups who have people on the ground in countries where we help people make Aliyah. This may include helping to obtain and verify documentation, purchasing necessary clothes and luggage, determining medical conditions as well as providing transportation to a port of airport of debarkation. Jewish people are particularly vulnerable if they travel to the airport by public transport - there are many reports of them having been robbed or abused on their journey. Our partners not only help with the physical transportation, but show love and care to them on the journey as well as helping with luggage, helping complete customs documents.

How do the Passengers react?

With tears; with gratitude; with surprise! Most have never before been treated so warmly or with such respect. Tears, hugs, smiles and thanks are the expression Jewish people give to those who have made it possible for them to make Aliyah.

Where do you work?

Operation Aliyah began with partners who worked exclusively in the Ukraine and later in other countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). The Scriptures refer many times to the Aliyah from the Land of the North and it seems to be a key to Aliyah from many other nations. Operation Aliyah works in that part of the "Land of the North" - Ukraine - that had the 3rd highest density of Jewish people in the world (after New York & Israel). After the massive Aliyah from the FSU in the 1990's, estimates are now around 300,000 Jews who remain. The Ukraine has the highest and worst history of anti-Semitism in the world. This anti-Semitism stretches back many centuries and is deeply rooted; it has never been repented of and as the economic and political situation worsens in the Ukraine there is the very strong possibility that the Jewish people will again become the scapegoat as they have been in the past.

Realizing there are about 6.2 million Jews in the Americas, we are now refocusing our Operation Aliyah efforts. While still working with partners in the FSU, we have also partnered with groups working on North America as well as Central and South America. Research is validating the fact that there are hundreds of thousands, more likely millions, of Sephardic Jews -- Jews who came from Spain about the time Columbus came to America -- 1492. Many of these are impoverished Jews, much like those in the FSU, who will need similar help to make Aliyah to Israel.

Who pays for the flights?

We work in close cooperation with the Jewish Agency of Israel who pay the flight costs for each Jewish immigrant to Israel. Once we get the people to the airport, they are gathered by the local Jewish Agency representatives and placed on planes to Israel.

What is 'fishing'? (How the Jews are found!)

The term is taken from Jeremiah 16:14-16 which talks about God sending many fishermen in the context of the aliyah from the Land of the North. 'Fishing' means sharing with Jewish people in larger or smaller numbers about God's plan for them to return to Israel. This may mean showing a video in someone's home; sharing with the friends of those already leaving; or holding larger meetings with a video in a hall or concerts for up to 1,000 people. The message is shared through the spoken word of God pertaining to the regathering of Israel.

Why should gentiles / Christians be involved?

It is a Biblical commission! God calls gentile believers to be involved in this modern day exodus. In the first exodus He used Moses and Aaron, this time He is looking to the body of gentile believers. (see Isaiah 14:2 and 49:22.) The Church does not have a good history in terms of her treatment of the Jewish people - it seems as though God is giving His Church another opportunity to bless the people of Israel. Genesis 12:3 and Romans 11:11.

Do you evangelize?

Operation Aliyah has a non-missionising policy but we do share our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; our commitment to His Word and God's call upon our lives as believing gentiles to 'help the Jewish people home'. We emphasize the prophetic word; God's call for the Jewish people to return to their homeland and to their God. As representatives of many thousands of Bible-believing Christians we have the privilege and the responsibility to share the good news which is perhaps best described in the words of Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'".

How much time do you think you still have?

The doors for immigration from the former Soviet Union opened in 1989 and since then over one million Soviet Jews have made aliyah. There is no guarantee that the doors will remain open and many people feel they will close again. Increasing economic and ethnic problems point to an uncertain future. It is certain that time gets shorter and we must 'work whilst it is day for the night comes when no man can work'.

How is it financed and how can I help?

By your tax-deductible gifts and donations the work of Operation Aliyah continues. Generally speaking, your gift of $135 will help rescue one Jewish person and a gift of $660 will help speed a Jewish family out of the Former Soviet Union and on to Israel. The cost varies from the Americas. Some are able to take more of their belongings than others. We work individually with those making Aliyah from the Americas and help as much as we can. The Jewish Agency still pays the air fare for the flight to Israel

WHAT IS ALIYAH?

Aliyah is a Hebrew word which means "going up." It is especially applicable to the modern ??exodus' of the Jewish people who are returning to Israel from "the land of the north." In Jewish history, whenever Jews traveled to Jerusalem, their journey or pilgrimage was spoken of as an aliyah or "going up." This was because of the fact that the City of Jerusalem is at a high elevation. In addition, there is a spiritual meaning seen in the fact that Jerusalem is the location of the holy temple and the center of Jewish life and worship. Thus, Jerusalem's physical elevation is matched by the spiritual significance that the city holds in God's plan for Israel. It is the last word in the Hebrew Bible. ( The order of books in the Hebrew Bible has II Chronicles as the last book). Thus, God's last word to his people in the Hebrew Bible is "go up," that is "make Aliyah." That word has not changed.

In our generation, the growing emigration of Jews to Israel from around the world has come to be called the Aliyah, because they are "going up" or "going home." We are part of this great fulfillment of prophecy every time we assist the Jewish people home to Israel with our prayers and donations. Today, hundreds of thousands of Christians are learning what it means to help our older brother and God's firstborn sons and daughters make their Aliyah to Israel. Come and help "Bring the Jews Home" and be blessed as we bless the apple of His eye through Operation Aliyah.

We encourage you to stand with Israel through the ministry of The Jerusalem Connection, International and its Operation Aliyah. Come and be a part of this international movement of revival taking place in all denominations.

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