The Fellowship is proud to be expanding our aliyah efforts with The Jewish Agency for Israel to include Fellowship Freedom Flights from South Africa. Fellowship staff accompany and support olim throughout their journey and upon their arrival in Israel. Last month, Fellowship staff traveled to Johannesburg and Cape Town to participate in the South African Aliyah Fairs, where they met members of the Jewish community who plan to move to Israel in the near future.
South Africa’s Jewish community, now numbering approximately 45,000 compared to more than 120,000 in previous decades, had lived comfortable lives. But since October 7, 2023, the atmosphere has changed. During and since the Swords of Iron War, anti-Semitism has increased dramatically, mirroring a trend in other parts of the world.
The community is also facing a severe economic and resource crisis. Approximately 30% of the Jewish community relies on welfare services, and 30% of students attending Jewish schools receive financial aid. Many families have lost businesses. Nearly half of the community—49%—has said they would consider making aliyah. Despite these challenges, the local Jewish education system has remained resilient, with more than 85% of Jewish youth enrolled in Jewish schools, many of whom dream of building their future in Israel.
Jaime, who will be making aliyah in August, says, “I come from a background where Judaism wasn’t really part of the home. I went to a Jewish high school, and again it was a part of who I was, but not something I ever explored. And October 7th happened, and that is when there was a deep sense of connection to my people, being Jewish, my home. It’s important to me that as a community we stick together. And I think that for me one of the biggest reasons that I’m moving is to feel part of a community, part of a home.”
He says, “We thank you for all of your support, and thank you for allowing us the opportunity. Without you, it wouldn’t have been possible. The experience, the whole process, is really simple. There’s so many different organizations helping us out, so thank you for allowing all of them to function so that we can go through this process and go home.”
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God’” (Zechariah 8:7-8).