February 25, 2009

Shalom,

Just days ago I was witness to the historic aliyah (immigration to Israel) of ten desperate Jews from the Arab country of Yemen, including nine members of a single family, the Ben-Yisraels. This operation was kept secret until hours before their arrival. I was overcome with emotion as I waited at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv with other members of The Fellowship’s Israel staff to welcome these people who were rescued from vicious, life-threatening, anti-Semitic attacks.

The mission could not have been more urgent. It tears my heart apart when I hear how the 300 Jews remaining in Yemen must live. Yemeni Jews are called names, blamed for national problems, and even face physical violence simply for practicing their faith.

Just a few months ago a leader of the Yemeni Jewish community was murdered for refusing to convert to Islam. Although the murderer confessed to the crime and is imprisoned, he promised to try to kill more Jews in the future. Now this Jewish man’s widow and children live in constant fear that the killer or someone else will come back to finish off their family.

The Ben-Yisraels also have faced anti-Semitic violence. Just weeks before their rescue, the family escaped a grenade thrown into their backyard by Muslims who were trying to kill their entire family. Thank God none were hurt.

As I reflected on these sad stories while waiting at the airport, I was reminded how crucial the land of Israel is to the Jewish people’s survival. I recalled God’s promise that Jews would return to Israel, and reminded myself how blessed I am to be living during a time when this prophecy is being fulfilled. Israel is the only place in the world that the Ben-Yisraels, and countless other persecuted Jews, can go and be immediately welcomed as full citizens. In their biblical homeland, they can live free from persecution, abuse, and anti-Semitism.

When the Ben-Yisraels came through the gates at the airport, I couldn’t help but run over and hug them all. Words cannot express what it was like to witness firsthand their arrival in the land God promised them. Yet as I looked into their puffy red eyes and saw their tears, I realized that for them this joyous and hopeful event was mixed with sadness, because they know that other Jews are still trapped in Yemen, praying and pleading with God to receive the same blessing of making aliyah.

Because of the oppressive restrictions of the Yemenite government, we were only able to bring a few people to freedom this time. But The Fellowship is committed to helping gather all of God’s children from exile in Yemen and any other land where they suffer persecution and live in fear.  We can only accomplish this enormous task through your prayers and generous gifts. Please make a gift today to The Fellowship’s On Wings of Eagles program so that we can continue in our work of rescuing families like the Ben-Yisraels.  Thank you for being so faithful to His word and ensuring the survival of Jewish people worldwide.

With blessings from Jerusalem,
Yael