Alida Schoultz [center] at Ben-Gurion Airport

Alida Schoultz, Ebenezer’s national coordinator in South Africa, accompanied in April 2009 the third history-making aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) flight from her country. The first, in July 2008, brought 96 olim (new immigrants); the second, in December 2008, about 80; and the most recent, 75 (including one from Zimbabwe). Another flight of some 200 is scheduled for July 2009. It has been reported that in 2008 the largest increase in the number of olim from any one country comprised Jews from South Africa: some 350 compared with 178 the previous year. So what is happening in South Africa? Apparently, as Alida explained, in her country and elsewhere the God of Israel is “pulling” and “pushing” His children to return to their Biblical homeland.

Personal Involvement

Alida Schoultz grew up in a Christian home in South Africa, yet only years later, in the 1980s, did God begin to speak to her heart about the Jewish people and Israel, primarily through the Scriptures and other believers. Then in 1990, just before the First Persian Gulf War, Alida made her initial visit to Israel on a Christian tour.

Afterward, she sensed that the Lord was also bringing Russia to her attention. She wondered and prayed about the connection between that country and the Jewish people/Israel. But it was not very long before she heard about rising aliyah from the former Soviet Union; so the connection became clear.

Alida’s introduction to Ebenezer—which was and is still vitally involved in aliyah from the former Soviet Union—soon followed. In 1992, she attended a conference for which Ebenezer was handling registration, and her name was placed on the organization’s mailing list. Then in 1995 and again in 1996, she served as an Ebenezer volunteer in the Ukraine, “fishing” for Jewish people to encourage them to make aliyah (Jeremiah 16:16).

Building Relationships

The work developed slowly, as Alida persevered in making contacts, increasing the mailing list, speaking in churches, and raising funds. Finally, after one more “fishing” trip—this time in Kazakhstan in 1999—Alida knew that her “fishing” days were over. In January 2000, she resumed the step-by-step, day-by-day process of reaching out both to the churches and to the Jewish community with the message of aliyah. She experienced discouragement, but she trusted in God’s timing, and the work began to build. Then suddenly everything changed, seemingly overnight.

The Jewish community of South Africa—numbering about 65,000, with the largest concentrations in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban respectively—was challenged by a very dynamic Jewish Agency shaliah (emissary), Ofer Dahan. Of course, Alida saw God’s hand in Ofer’s activity, pulling the Jewish people in her country toward Israel.

Still many Jews in South Africa remain there. Like Jews in America and England—but unlike Jews in such poorer lands as the former Soviet Union—they are “too comfortable,” says Alida, financially and materially. Some have even made “false” aliyah to Australia. Some are torn regarding where to live, because their family members reside in different places.

Alida knows, as the God of Israel has promised through His prophets, that there is a future for South African Jews—and Jews everywhere—only in Israel. “Prayer is essential,” she says, to make this future a reality. Specific prayer points:

·         New shaliah in South Africa: May God send the right person to succeed Ofer when he completes his term in July 2009, “someone who will continue the vision and take aliyah even further,” says Alida.

·         Open doors: May God open doors in both the Jewish community and the churches to the message of aliyah.