Bringing Jewish People Home

February 23, 2017

by: Janet Aslin

Friday, 24 February 2017 | Scripture contains many references to aliyah, or the immigration of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. Today we are seeing prophecy fulfilled as Jews from the four corners of the world are returning to the land of their inheritance. Deuteronomy 30:3–4 anticipates this day as we read these words: “If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed and you shall possess it.”

When Israel declared its statehood in 1948, there were fewer than 800,000 Jews living in the land. The most recent figures (2016) show roughly 6.5 million Jews or approximately 40% of the Jewish population worldwide, live in Israel. The majority of Jews living outside the land of Israel call North America home. New York City alone boasts a Jewish population of more than one million.

There are many organizations working to help new immigrants in all phases of the process. One that is specifically focused on reaching the Jewish population in the English-speaking countries of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom is Nefesh B’Nefesh. The organization provides information to Jewish enquirers and helps them during all phases of their aliyah. This coming Sunday, Nefesh B’Nefesh will be hosting an Aliyah Fair in Manhattan and expects a significant crowd. Artuz Sheva reports, “The event will be the largest ever of its kind, expecting some 1,500 potential olim [immigrants], aimed to accommodate a record-high interest in aliyah from the United States.” Similar events are planned for Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles.

Posted on February 23, 2017

Source: (Bridges for Peace, 24 February 2017)

Photo Credit: Ashernet/GPO/Mark Neyman