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"Do you also
support olim
(immigrants) in Israel?" |
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This
is a question that all of us who
are involved in helping Jewish people
to make aliyah (immigrate to
Israel) have been asked at one
time or another. To
Ebenezer-Operation Exodus, it is clear that our calling
is to be an instrument of the
Lord in encouraging and
assisting
Jewish people to return to the
Land
of Israel from the land of the
north and all the nations. This
objective is described
in our purpose statement. |
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However, in Israel, where we
operate as an amutah
(nonprofit organization), we
have strengthened our position
here in the Land by extending a helping
hand to olim (immigrants) in
their "first steps"
and by developing support for
our international aliyah activities. |
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From the moment that our
registration as an amutah
was accepted
in 2007, our office in Jerusalem has
received many
assistance
requests from olim
facing challenges and
difficulties in settling in the
Land. Although the State of Israel’s care for
immigrants is tremendous,
often a personal touch is needed
when issues arise. This
personal touch is exactly what Shirley Lawrenson,
our Olim Liaison, seeks to
provide. Indeed, many who came to Israel
with Ebenezer's help are aware
of our support for olim:
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Comfort and encouragement: being a friend by listening
sympathetically to the concerns
of olim in telephone
conversations, meetings, and
visits
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Practical advice: engaging in problem solving
and referring olim to
local institutions and
organizations, which can help
them with such matters as
education, employment, housing,
and more
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Emergency assistance: purchasing food parcels and other
urgent items for olim in
a crisis situation, so that they
continue to be rooted in the
Land
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We are grateful that this
"rooting" of olim is
the heart of God Himself: “
‘Yes, I will rejoice over them
to do them good, and I will
assuredly plant them in this
land, with all My heart and with
all My soul’ ” (Jeremiah 32:41 NKJV). |
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