Dear Friend of Israel and the Jewish people:

It was a phone call that stirred in me a great deal of anticipation. On the other line was one of the members of The Fellowship’s Jerusalem staff telling me that we were driving to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to witness the arrival of Jews from the Arab country of Yemen – Jews that were coming as part of an effort sponsored by The Fellowship’s On Wings of Eagles program.

This historic aliyah (immigration to Israel) was kept a secret until hours before the immigrants’ historic arrival on Thursday, February 19. I was overcome with emotion when I learned that The Fellowship had helped rescue ten desperate Yemeni Jews, including nine members of one family, the Ben-Yisraels, from vicious anti-Semitism and poverty.

The mission could not have been more urgent. In Yemen, Jews are considered second-class citizens. Many people in Yemen adamantly hate Israel and take out that hatred on the small Jewish community of around 300 that remains in this foreign land.

Yemeni Jews are called names, blamed for national problems, and even face physical violence simply for practicing their faith. In fact, just weeks before the Ben-Yisrael family escaped, a grenade was thrown into their backyard by Muslims who were trying to kill the entire family. Thank God none were hurt. Yet it was a harsh reminder of why coming to Israel, a safe and loving homeland, is critical for Jews living with the daily threat of anti-Semitism.

It tears my heart apart to imagine how Jews in Yemen live. Just a few months ago a leader of the Yemeni Jewish community was murdered in cold blood because he refused a demand to convert to Islam or be killed. When put on trial, the murderer confessed to the crime and promised to continue to try and kill more Jews in the future. Now this Jewish man’s widow and children live in constant fear that if he is acquitted – a very real possibility given the climate of hatred for Jews in Yemen – he will come back to finish off their family.

Waiting for the plane carrying the Yemeni olim (immigrants) to land, it struck me how crucial the land of Israel is to the Jewish people’s survival. It reminded me why God promised the Jews a homeland and why I am so greatly blessed to be living during a time in history when this prophecy is being fulfilled. Israel is the only place in the world that the Ben-Yisraels, and countless other persecuted Jews around the world, can safely flee to without needing a visa.

Now, thanks to On Wings of Eagles, the Ben-Yisraels are safe in their biblical homeland where they will never again need to worry about a government neglecting them because of their religion, or fear for their lives because of lack of police protection. Now, after 2000 years, Jews can return home to Israel where they can live without fear of persecution, abuse and anti-Semitism. When I think about all of the Jewish lives throughout history that could have been saved if only Israel was established, it shakes me up inside.

When the Ben-Yisraels came through the gates at the airport, I couldn’t help but run over and hug them all. I was witnessing firsthand God’s fulfillment of prophecy, the return of some of His exiled children from the four corners of the earth. Yet as I looked into their puffy red eyes and saw their tears, I realized that, though those tears were mostly joyous and hopeful, they were also a bit sad.

The Ben-Yisrael’s arrival in the Holy Land was bittersweet because they left behind nearly 300 fellow Jews who do not yet have the opportunity to flee because of the Yemenite government’s oppressive restrictions against traveling to Israel. Because of the dangerous and secret nature of this project we were only able to bring a few people to freedom at this time. The rest of the Yemenite Jews are waiting in a state of fear, continuously praying and pleading with God to receive the same blessing as the Ben-Yisrael family.

The Fellowship is committed to helping gather all of God’s children from exile in Yemen and any other land where they suffer persecution. 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.

Shalom,
Yael