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Project Rescue: Bringing The Jewish People Home

September 29, 2021

Since the inception of the State of Israel, bringing the Jewish people home has been a priority to the state and to God. So, it has been one of the greatest joys of Bridges for Peace to partner with others to help impoverished Jewish people come home. We partner with Ezra International in the former Soviet Union and South America and with Shavei Yisrael to bring home the lost tribe of the Bnei Menashe (sons of Manasseh) from India. We have helped Jews from Ethiopia. In fact, we have helped just over 83,000 Jewish people in their aliyah (immigration to Israel) process.

They faced many difficulties. They had to prove their Jewishness, which is not easy in places plagued by persecution of Jews and anti-Semitism. Our team became experts in obtaining proof from non-computerized archives. Most were also in a very low social economic status. They simply couldn’t afford to move to another country. Even though the Jewish Agency provided their airfare, they couldn’t afford to buy a suitcase, obtain a visa and a passport, travel to the airport or even pay their utility bills.

Project Rescue stepped in and provided the financial assistance, the transport to the airport and individualized assistance. I am awestruck at what God is doing! He is fulfilling His ancient promises and has called us to help. “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations [Gentiles, thus non-Jews], and set up My standard for the peoples; they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders’” (Isa. 49:22).We are so blessed by what God has done through our efforts, but we know it is not time to rest on our accomplishments—not when so many still need our assistance.

Everyone has a story. Here is just one: “My wife and I no longer see a future in Ukraine. We are not young, but would rather live in a country where human dignity is still valued and human rights are respected.Our adult daughter and two grandchildren all live in Israel. We did not dare to leave Ukraine for a long time, despite the fact that the children have been trying to persuade us to make aliyah for many years. It was only recently we finally realized it was time to take this step and move.

Having successfully passed the consular check, we signed up for a flight to Israel. Everything had already been collected, all issues resolved, and we had agreed that Ezra would help us get to the airport. Then I caught COVID; my wife was also infected. During my illness, my condition worsened and I was hospitalized. I was on the ventilator for a long time and the doctors fought for my life. The disease also caused some complications in my heart. The doctors advised an urgent operation which I thought I could do in Israel, but the doctors warned me that I could not cope with the flight.

I was in the hospital, very upset and very weak physically. We did not have money for the surgery as all the savings and money the children sent us were used for the treatment for COVID. No one knew whether I would survive this ordeal or not. Life seemed to be fading, hope was fading, and the mood was terrible. But then a miracle happened which the doctors cannot explain. I suddenly began to recover. Every morning strength began to return to me. After tests, the doctors said that everything had returned to normal without intervention or treatment. It is some kind of miracle! I am 73 years old, and my body was completely restored in almost two days! I cannot explain it, but I can say I believe God did it! I am very grateful to the Almighty! We are going full of hope. We will help our grandchildren and find jobs that are within our reach. We want to live a normal, fulfilling life.

Project Rescue helped us with advice on the collection of documents. We also received financial assistance when I was in serious condition in the hospital. The team members from Ezra always asked about our health and supported us morally as well. We were taken to the airport on departure day. We are eternally grateful that there are such extraordinary people like you. Miracles are done through you! Thanks to Project Rescue, I am now healthy and leaving for Israel!”

Thanks to your donations to Project Rescue, this elderly couple’s dreams are coming true. Thousands more await our help. Will you pray about helping more Jews come home to Israel? No gift is too small or too large. Together we can bring hope to many families.

Blessings from Israel,
Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO

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