Aliyah, Aliyah, Aliyah

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein  |  December 8, 2016

Dear Friend of Israel

Ariel Sharon, Israel’s 11th Prime Minister and a friend of mine, was one of Israel’s strongest leaders. I remember asking him once, “What are the three most important things we at The Fellowship can do for Israel?” His response was: “Aliyah, aliyah, aliyah.”

Helping bring Jews from around the world to Israel was, for Sharon, the most important task we could take on. He recognized its importance not just in saving the lives of individuals living in poverty and oppression, but in strengthening the Jewish state as a whole.

Of course, we at The Fellowship have been involved in aliyah for more than 20 years. Through our On Wings of Eagles program, and thanks to our supporters’ generosity, we’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in bringing Jews to their biblical homeland and helping them get on their feet once they arrive. Today – two years after we became directly involved in bringing and resettling olim (immigrants) in Israel, rather than working through partner organizations – The Fellowship is on track to bring more than 4,500 immigrants to Israel in 2016, people from 24 countries where Jews are increasingly threatened by anti-Semitism, poverty, and conflict.

The Fellowship will continue to ensure that any Jew who is in danger or who faces hardship from poverty and unrest will receive shelter and a home in Israel. We’ve opened a new chapter in our already vital and significant contribution to immigration and absorption in Israel.

“Aliyah, aliyah, aliyah.” These words have offered incredible encouragement and challenge to me. And I feel so blessed to say that, with God’s help and your generosity, we have risen to meet that challenge. Friends, I am so grateful to have you for a partner as together we see the fulfillment of the biblical words: “‘See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips'” (Isaiah 49:22).

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
Founder and President