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Somebody Believes in Me

February 26, 2020

Jenna stood in our office with tears running down her face. “This is the BEST thing that I ever got in my whole life. Somebody believes in ME!” She was holding two cards sent to her from a Christian sponsor in Japan.

Jenna is a full-time biology student who hopes to be admitted to medical school. She came by herself from Canada, making aliyah (immigration to Israel) as a young woman of only 19. She enlisted in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) immediately, becoming a combat medic. I am awed by the courage of a young woman coming to Israel alone, serving in the military and now immersed in her university career. Jenna is on our Adoption Program, a sponsorship program that helps immigrants and Israelis in crisis for a year, or in the case of immigrant students, as long as they are in university. In addition to the canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat items and helping cover the cost of transportation, families and students on our Adoption Program receive much emotional support as well. Jenna has a beautiful soul. In addition to full-time studies and managing life on her own, she gives back by volunteering at a Lone Soldier center, helping others.

Jenna is one of hundreds that Bridges for Peace has sponsored over the years. Gabe and Ilana Faber are a young couple we sponsored last year. They wrote this thank you note.

To our loving sponsors and everyone at Bridges for Peace,

It has been an amazing privilege to be on the Adoption Program for the last year. We were able to meet the wonderful men and women who make the program possible, as well as the selfless and giving sponsors who fund the entire enterprise. You are all so inspiring, so unconditionally welcoming and kind. It was really humbling to get to know each and every one of you.

This program is unlike any other as it gives the Jewish people exactly what they need, when they need it. Other programs give flashy gifts however, Bridges for Peace helps on the most practical level. Obviously, the food, but also scarves in the winter, a beautiful picture to put in our home, and a monthly bus pass. It is the program that is most in touch with needs of real people and it has helped us immensely over the last year.

We wanted to thank everyone involved—especially our wonderful sponsor family who helped make our dream of living in Israel easier. We also wanted to thank the Bridges for Peace team, who are so flexible and helpful at every stage. This has been a fantastic year, and we are so appreciative of it all.

255,000 Jewish People Made Aliyah in the last decade

In 2019, 34,872 Jewish people made aliyah, the largest number in a single year in the decade. More than half came from the former Soviet Union, but 55,000 came from Europe (mostly France), 32,000 from the US, 10,500 from Ethiopia, 2,560 from South Africa, 1,950 from Oceania (mostly Australia) and 13,400 from Latin America. In all, they came home from 150 nations.

They are coming from the four corners of the earth, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, “He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (11:12).

Bridges for Peace is partnering with God, helping to bring them home, welcoming them to Israel with practical gifts, feeding them for a year as they get established, all the while encouraging them with cards, smiles and advice, and blessing them in the name of the Lord.

Will you help? We need more sponsors to our Adoption Program. We want more immigrants to know that “We believe in them” and that we believe in the God who drew them home to Israel.

Sponsors commit to a monthly gift of US $65 for a year. According to the need of the family, more than one sponsor is linked to the family, allowing us to provide the food, transportation assistance and other needs that arise. One-time gifts to our immigrant fund are also greatly appreciated.

Partnering together with God,

Rebecca J. Brimmer

International President and CEO

Photo Credit: click on photos to see photo credit