Coming Home: Russian Jews Make Aliyah

The darkness of night surrounded the airplane as it taxied the tarmac, slowly making its way to the gate. Anticipation in the air, 51 passengers waited. In a matter of minutes, they would be filing out of the large vessel, stepping foot onto their homeland…

What makes this different from any other flight? These people were Jews, and they were making aliyah to the land of Israel—the land that had called them home.

The Backbone of the Jewish State

Each year, thousands of Jews make Israel their new home. This process is known as aliyah, which is the Hebrew word used to describe immigration to Israel – bringing Jews from the four corners of the earth to their biblical homeland. The very backbone of the Jewish state, it is the return of Jews to the land of Israel from the diaspora. The literal meaning of aliyah is “to ascend” or “to go up.”

Recently, Israel and Jewish Liaison of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and Eagle Mountain International Church Julie Sironi; and Regional Director of Keren Hayesod Shmulik Fried, welcomed this group of 51 Jews making aliyah into Israel from Russia. What makes this moment so significant is that it is literal biblical prophecy coming to pass.

“For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land…. And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be My people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:24, 28, New Living Translation).

Scattered and Returned

By definition, a diaspora is the scattering or migration of a people from their original homeland. Aliyah is the return of those people to the homeland of their forefathers—which, as we see in the book of Ezekiel, is God’s ultimate plan for His people.

As a Partner with Kenneth Copeland Ministries, you are helping bring this biblical prophecy to pass. With every dollar given to KCM, 10% of that is given to other ministries and organizations. One such organization is Keren Hayesod.

Founded over 100 years ago, Keren Hayesod is the world’s leading fundraising organization for the people of Israel. It enables those who want to support Israel as the Jewish homeland, working to enhance the lives of the people of Israel and strengthening the connection between Jewish communities around the world.

Just the Beginning

Stepping foot on the homeland of their forefathers is not the end of the aliyah journey for Jewish immigrants. Rather, it is just the beginning. Starting a new life may seem daunting; however, Keren Hayesod is there to help families and individuals with the acclimation process during the transition.

Many immigrants begin their new lives in absorption centers, where they enjoy support services that help ease their transition and promote their full participation in Israeli society. New immigrants benefit from intensive Hebrew language courses, Jewish and Israeli holiday celebrations, career guidance, and access to information about educational opportunities.

In sponsoring Keren Hayesod’s efforts, seen in this group of immigrants coming from Russia, KCM and its Partners are playing a vital role in ensuring there is support for them in making this monumental life transition. These Jews are taking on a challenge: a new language; a new government; a new system; a new way of life. But Keren Hayesod is there to help, and so is Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

A Nation at War

Israel is a nation at war on seven fronts. One would think that fewer Jews would be making aliyah during such a tumultuous time. However, the numbers keep increasing. Keren Hayesod Regional Director Shmulik Fried has asked several people why they are choosing to make aliyah in a time of war. Their response? This is exactly the reason they want to make aliyah: because they want to be in Israel and support Israel at this time.

So, Fried stood at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv alongside Julie Sironi, to welcome this latest group as they made their way home.

As the individuals departed the airplane, Fried and Sironi were there with warm smiles and Israeli flags for everyone. As a Partner with KCM, you were there too.

Said Shmulik: “Thousands of Jews [have come] to Israel thanks to Kenneth Copeland Ministries and Eagle Mountain International Church. Thank you for your friendship, for your love, for standing with Israel and [for] taking a significant role in fulfilling Bible prophecy.”

Thank you, Partner, for playing a role in helping these beautiful people find their way home.

To give into the Bless Israel fund, click HERE.

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