Jerusalem – The Jewish Agency for Israel honored several Christian groups for their role in aliya operations from Ukraine during a ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
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Groups honored for assisting the Jewish Agency include The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Ebenezer International, Ebenezer Hilfsfonds Deutschland, Ezra International, Christians for Israel, the Patmos Foundation, One Mission, and the Kim Clement Center.
These groups served instrumental roles in helping Jews in war-torn Eastern Ukraine make their way to Israel during, and in the wake of, intense political and cultural conflict. Due to such efforts, the number of new olim from Ukraine increased 190% in 2014.
“There is a long history of Christian involvement in our aliya operations and it is always appropriate to give thanks, but today, as Christian organizations help us save Jewish lives every day in Ukraine, it is particularly important to show our appreciation,” Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency Natan Sharansky said.
Christian organizations provided financial assistance to the Jewish Agency and were directly involved in Ukrainian aliya efforts, providing transportation for refugees and assisting them in the aliya process. In December, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews helped over 226 Ukrainians come to Israel.
“As the son of a German officer from the Ukraine, standing here in Jerusalem 70 years after Auschwitz carries special meaning for me. As the Prophet Isaiah said, ‘The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet’ (Isaiah 60:14). I am here today to bow before you,” Pastor Hinrich Kaasmann, Director of Ebenezer Hilfsfonds Deutschland said.
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post