Despite Israel’s difficult economic situation, the threat of terrorism and the challenges of resettlement, most Jews are still better off there than in places like the Former Soviet Union (FSU) or Ethiopia. In Israel they are surrounded by fellow Jews and assisted by a government committed to their long-term welfare. These resources simply do not exist in many countries around the world, certainly not in the FSU, Ethiopia, Argentina or any Arab countries. This makes Israel the best place for Jews wishing to escape oppressive living conditions and work toward a peaceful, safe future.

Even though Israel lives daily with the threat of terrorist attack, Soviet Jews are still far better off in Israel than in the Former Soviet Union.

There is ample evidence from recent years that the Former Soviet Union (FSU) is a dangerous place for Jews. The region is economically crippled, and virulent anti-Semitism seethes beneath its surface. The fact that Jews still choose Israel, despite the hardship there, illustrates their feelings of danger and despair in the FSU. The bottom line is that Soviet Jews know that they have a future in Israel.

Some Soviet Jews are either too old or too ill to attempt relocation to Israel. The preparations for aliyah can be physically, financially, and emotionally wrenching for potential émigrés. And, sadly, many Jewish people who planned to come to Israel have been harassed by officials, and stripped or robbed of all possessions except the clothes on their backs.

Other Jews elect to remain in the former Soviet Union because they believe better days are ahead. The fall of Communism and rise of democracy gave new hope to many. But as we know, those hopes have been buried under the crushing collapse of the Soviet economy and a continued rise in anti-Semitism. Other reasons some Jews give for remaining in the FSU include the ties of family and birthplace.

The Bnei Menashe are descendants of the lost tribe of Menashe -- one of the twelve lost tribes
of Israel -- who were recently discovered in the mountainous area on the border of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) in India. Although they lived under Muslim rule in Afghanistan and also under Chinese rule, they have maintained the ancient traditions and rituals of biblical Judaism.

Since our projects are carried out by partners who identify those in greatest need at the time funding is received, it is not possible to set aside a gift for a particular person. Your gifts will benefit those people most in need.

While we deeply appreciate our donors’ concern for those who have endured a great degree of hardship, we are unable to fulfill this request for several reasons. Since many of those whom we help do not read or write English, corresponding with them would be difficult, if not impossible. Moreover, many of them have left areas of severe persecution and anti-Semitism, and for security reasons the Israeli government will not release their addresses. The Fellowship fully supports this official policy, which is designed to ensure that these people find peace, comfort and safety in Israel.

Unfortunately, we are unable to fulfill this request. Since many of the Jews we help have left areas of severe persecution and anti-Semitism, for security reasons we do not receive their pictures. In the case of our On Wings of Eagles program, connecting with recent immigrants is difficult, since Israel, like the U.S., protects the privacy of its citizens.

Though our organization does not facilitate international adoptions, many other agencies do. We suggest that you research international adoption agencies on the Internet or at your local library.

While we affirm the right and duty of evangelical Christians to share the Gospel, we are not an organization that seeks to convert people to either Christianity or Judaism. Our mission of building bridges between Christians and Jews would be compromised if we endorsed any conversion efforts.

We are committed to helping the neediest people in Israel, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. In providing economic assistance, we work with municipalities to identify the families most in need of a helping hand -- Jews, Christians, Muslim or Druze, Israeli or Arab. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide assistance directly to the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority or in areas deemed a security risk. Where we are able to assist, we do not discriminate among people in need.

The airlines contracted by the Israeli government to provide these flights are commercial businesses that are paid for their services by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Israeli government. JAFI, in turn, depends on organizations like The Fellowship for funds to cover the cost of these flights, as well as other costs included in the aliyah (immigration) and klitah (resettlement) process, including the cost of obtaining passports and travel documents, language and job training at absorption centers in Israel, and housing subsidies. Without our help, all this could not happen.

The immigration process is long and complex. Typically, about six to eight weeks after a donor sends a gift of $350 (or more) to provide a Freedom Flight, the donor will receive a postcard from Israel noting the name(s) and city(ies) of origin of those who were helped. If you sent your gift over eight weeks ago but have not received a postcard, please call our Donor Services Department at (800) 486-8844. As the postcards are mailed from Israel, they may be lost or delayed. If necessary, we can request that a duplicate be sent to you.