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Anti-Semitism Spurs Aliyah

July 1, 2014

 Every day we learn of new anti-Semitic actions, which threaten Jewish communities in widely diverse places. Very recently we read on the Arutz Sheva website about a small town in Guatemala whose mayor has required the small Jewish population to register as Jews. It has escalated from there, as quotes from one Jewish resident show:

“They uploaded photos of [Adolf] Hitler to a website about the Jews in town, saying they will put us in cremation ovens,” he said. “Fifteen days ago, a group of teenagers who has read the website came up to us and began throwing stones at us…The next day, the website was filled with anti-Semitic slurs and horrible pictures,” he said. “Several of us wanted to flee that night, because we heard that there was talk of preparing a lynching.” Less than 24 hours later, several children began stoning a group of women in the Jewish community, shouting, “You killed Jesus!” Then one of them threw an amateur explosive device. (Arutz Sheva)

 Worldwide, Jewish worshippers are targeted and harassed. They are violently attacked, some escaping with wounds while others are killed like the Israeli couple gunned down in front of the Jewish Museum of Belgium late in May. Others continue to be wounded by the accusation that they killed Jesus. I guess there are Christians who have forgotten that Jesus said that no one takes His life from Him—He laid it down for His sheep (John 10).

Ready to Escape

It is horrifying that anti-Semitic hatred and violence continue to threaten the Jewish world. As a result, many French Jews have bought apartments in Israel. For now, most of them sit empty, ready for a quick escape, if and when the situation deteriorates. Many have already moved to Israel, deciding that France is too dangerous. So far, this community has been able to finance their own return. Others are not so fortunate. This is why Project Rescue was initiated years ago—to be ready to help the Jewish people come home, especially in times of great crisis.

We are happy to tell you that as of April 30, Project Rescue has assisted 45,708 immigrants who are now living in Israel. This year the monthly numbers have increased as the Jews of Ukraine are seeking to escape the untenable situation there. We have helped hundreds of Ukrainian Jews who have arrived in Israel during this time of conflict, and we are working with thousands more to help them get everything in order so they can leave as quickly as possible. We expect the numbers to increase as Jewish people seek to escape from persecution, chaos, and in places like Ukraine, the ever present threat of all-out war. Our Project Rescue team members are currently working with 27,000 Jews in areas of the Former Soviet Union, many of them in Ukraine, as well as others in South America.

What Happens Next

Once the immigrants arrive in Israel they continue to need our assistance. They generally come with a couple of suitcases and nothing more. They must find a place to live, learn the language, do career retraining, and usually are only able to find minimum wage jobs (until their Hebrew skills improve). About 50% of our food budget goes to recent immigrants who are struggling to settle into their new homeland. When they first arrive, we bless them with gifts including blankets, kitchen utensils, school supplies, and Bibles through our Immigrant Welcome Gift Program. Hundreds are sponsored on our Adoption Program and receive assistance for an entire year. A recent Bridges for Peace group had the privilege of meeting one such family.

The young Orthodox Jewish woman standing before them was obviously tired and a little stressed. As a mother of young children, her infant son sleeping beside her in his pram, she has a lot on her plate. Add to that the fact that she and her husband made aliyah (immigrated to Israel), leaving their extended family behind, with no friends or contacts here in Israel, and the stresses she has been dealing with are extreme. But her words to our assembled Bridges for Peace group were profound.

“At Bridges for Peace, you really are fulfilling Bible prophecy and this is how you are doing it, she began. For some who make aliyah, it is just too difficult. They don’t know the language, don’t have enough money, don’t have a support group…they just can’t make it and some of them end up leaving Israel. But you, at Bridges for Peace, are making it possible for people like my husband and I to make it. Because of you, we have food, we have help with other expenses, we have a support group and we have people around the world who love God praying for us. Without you, we wouldn’t have made it either, but because of you, we know we can.”

We are able to help thousands of Jewish people move to Israel, have a pleasant start and then become established, because Christians give to support the projects, showing love and support for Israel. Through our actions we are fulfilling Bible prophecy, caring for the needy, and showing God’s love to those in need.

Will you join us in blessing Yeshua and His earthly family? “…Inasmuch as you did it to one the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40b). We pray that you will choose one of our immigrant assistance programs and show God’s love to the Jewish people coming back in fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Blessings from Israel,

Rebecca J. Brimmer

International President and CEO