Sharing excitement of Ethiopian aliyah
Members of Israel, Overseas Committee of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto greet 240 new immigrants at Ben-Gurion Airport
The flight was organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel, and followed the Israeli government’s decision in July to increase the rate of aliyah from Ethiopia.
The immigration of the remainder of the eligible Falash Mura is expected to be completed by October 2013. This will bring the historic and miraculous aliyah of the Ethiopian Jewish community to a close.
Members of the committee shared the excitement of the newcomers – half of them children – as they began their lives in their new home. Some of the immigrants were being reunited with relatives who have been living in Israel for years.
UJA Toronto’s Israel and Overseas Committee is in the country for an intensive week of briefings, meetings, decision-making and site visits. It is reviewing the Federation’s extensive investments in the country, especially in Eilat and the Eilot region.
These investments include the establishment of a new emergency room at the Yoseftal Medical Center, expansion of the Ben-Gurion University campus in Eilat, and development of a number of ground-breaking initiatives in the field of renewable energy.
These programs are playing a major role in the creation of additional educational and employment opportunities in the region.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
