Jewish Immigration to Israel: 45 Years of ICEJ Help with Aliyah
By Howard Flower, ICEJ Aliyah Director
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, “Give them up!” And to the south, “Do not keep them back!” Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. —Isaiah 43:5–6
For 45 years, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) has played an important role in assisting with Jewish immigration to Israel, their ancestral homeland. This process, known as Aliyah, represents both a physical journey and a spiritual homecoming deeply rooted in biblical prophecy.
Jewish Immigration to Israel from the “Ends of the Earth”
Though there has always been a Jewish presence in the land, Jewish immigration to Israel truly began in the late-1800s mostly from Eastern Europe and Yemen, stimulated by pograms and violence against Jewish people who lived in those communities. Several waves of Aliyah followed over the next decade. However, The ICEJ’s involvement in Aliyah began in the early 1980s with “Mordecai Outcry” rallies held around the world that called for the release of Soviet Jews.
The Former Soviet Union
Once the Iron Curtain fell, the ICEJ’s German Branch funded one of the first flights out of Moscow of Jews headed to Israel. Vienna, Austria, became a critical transit point for Soviet Jews seeking to reach Israel from areas outside of Moscow. ICEJ workers from several European countries established a humanitarian support ministry in the city, providing material help to these modern-day exodus travelers. Volunteers worked tirelessly, offering food, shelter, and comfort to Jewish families who had left everything behind. As the decade progressed, the ICEJ’s Aliyah work expanded.
Ukraine
In 1990 the Swiss Branch of the ICEJ initiated a bold plan to bring Jews out of western Ukraine. This operation involved organizing convoys to transport Jewish refugees from Ukraine to Budapest, Hungary, where they would board flights to Israel after a stay in the ICEJ warm house named the Raoul Wallenberg Center. This route became a lifeline for many Ukrainian Jews, offering them a path to freedom and a new start in the promised land. Since those days, the ICEJ has assisted nearly 50,000 Ukrainian Jews in making Aliyah.
The “Finnish Route”
March 1990 marked the beginning of the “Finnish Route,” a remarkable operation that continued for three decades until March 2020. Through this route, the ICEJ facilitated the journey of Russian-speaking Jews through Finland on their way to Israel. Inspired by biblical prophecy and compassion, Finnish Christians opened their homes and hearts to these travelers, providing rest and support before the final leg of their journey. This operation exemplified Christian love in action, with thousands of Finns participating in this modern-day fulfillment of biblical prophecy. After COVID closed the Finnish route, ICEJ supported direct flights from Moscow to thousands more Russian Jews.
Ethiopia
The ICEJ’s Aliyah work has extended far beyond Eastern Europe. The organization has significantly assisted thousands of Ethiopian Jews in their return to Israel, starting in 2011. The ICEJ provided key support for these operations, helping to fund flights and provide integration assistance for these new immigrants upon arrival in Israel.
China & India
In an extraordinary chapter of Aliyah history, the ICEJ even reached out to China, helping members of the ancient Jewish community in Kaifeng make their way to Israel. This small but significant effort highlighted the global nature of the Jewish Diaspora and the ICEJ’s commitment to assisting Jews from every corner of the earth. The organization has also been instrumental in supporting the Aliyah of the Bnei Menashe—a community from northeast India claiming descent from one of the lost tribes of Israel. Since 2012, the ICEJ has funded flights for over 1,300 new immigrants, including ground transportation and additional help on their journey home.
Belarus and the Baltic Countries
In 2010, as Aliyah work grew, the ICEJ established programs in Belarus and the Baltic countries, offering support and assistance to Jewish communities in these regions. This work has involved everything from helping with pre-Aliyah and logistics to supporting activities for those contemplating the significant step of making Aliyah.
Central Asia
The ICEJ’s Aliyah efforts have also reached Central Asia, where Jewish communities in countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have received help in their journey to Israel. This work in Central Asia has involved flights and assistance in overcoming logistical and bureaucratic hurdles. The ICEJ’s persistence has helped more than 8,000 Central Asian Jews realize their dream of living in Israel.
The West
In recent years, the ICEJ has expanded its Aliyah work to Western countries. In North America, France, Germany, Finland, and Sweden, the organization has been active in encouraging and assisting Jews who feel called to make Israel their home. This has included support of activities providing information about life in Israel, offering practical assistance with the immigration process, such as helping to fund flights and provide integration help.
South Africa
The ICEJ’s work in South Africa has been particularly notable. As the Jewish community in South Africa has faced increasing challenges, the ICEJ has stepped up its efforts to assist those wishing to make Aliyah. This has involved working closely with the Jewish Agency for Israel to support flights and initial integration.
French immigrants arrive in Israel during COVID, 2022
part of the “fishing” program in 2007
Aliyah Since September 2023
Profoundly, more than 31,000 people have immigrated to Israel since September 2023 from more than 100 countries, despite the ongoing war in Gaza and escalation on the northern border with Lebanon. According to data cited in a joint statement from the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Ministry, 19,850 immigrants arrived from Russia and over 3,340 from the United States and Canada” (Times of Israel).
The Biblical Foundation of Jewish Immigration to Israel
Throughout its 45 years of Aliyah work, the ICEJ has shown a determined commitment to supporting the Jewish people in their return to Israel. This work is driven by a deep belief in the biblical significance of this modern-day ingathering of the exiles. The organization sees its efforts as a fulfillment of Isaiah 49:22, where God says, “See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips.”
Looking back on the more than four decades of ICEJ Aliyah work, we see a story of faith, compassion, and divine orchestration. From the early days in Vienna to the complex global operations of today, the ICEJ has played a key role in one of the most significant demographic movements of our time. To date, the organization has assisted in the Aliyah of over 185,000 Jews from more than 50 countries, demonstrating the global reach and impact of its work.
Looking forward, the ICEJ remains dedicated to this mission. As antisemitism surges in many parts of the world and more Jews consider making Israel their home, the ICEJ stands ready to offer support, encouragement, and practical assistance. The organization continues to work closely with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and other partners, coordinating its efforts for maximum effectiveness.
As we mark 45 years of this significant work, we look forward with anticipation to what lies ahead. The ingathering of the Jewish people to Israel continues, and with it, the ICEJ’s commitment to stand alongside them, offering support, love, and friendship in the name of Christians around the world.
The story of ICEJ’s Aliyah work goes beyond logistical achievements. It demonstrates Christian support for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel and serves as a bridge of reconciliation, helping to heal the painful history between Christians and Jews. This ongoing fulfillment of biblical prophecy shows the world that the God of Israel keeps His promises.
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