Glossary
Glossary & Information
Aliyah – The process of Jewish emigration to Israel (“making aliyah” to Israel…). The Hebrew meaning is to “go up,” as in “ascending up” to Jerusalem, etc.
Ashkenazi Jews (Ashkenazim) – Literally “German Jews,” who also migrated to form communities in Hungary, Poland, Russia, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. In a broader sense, “Ashkenazi” can refer to any Jew of European background. About 80% of Jews worldwide are Ashkenazi.
Chesed (Hebrew for “Grace”) – A Jewish charity working extensively across the fSU to establish Jewish community centers. Chesed does a great work in looking after the needs of elderly Jews in particular.
Diaspora – As relating to the Jewish people; 1. The scattering of Jews to countries outside their Covenant (promised) Land. 2. The body of Jewish people living in countries outside of Israel.3. All of the other countries of the world collectively, besides Israel, where the Jews have been scattered: “the return of the Jews from the Diaspora.”
Ebenezer Emergency Fund International (EEFI) – An international Christian organization working in cooperation with the Jewish Agency of Israel to help Jewish people return to Israel. The word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help” in Hebrew (I Samuel 7:12). “Thus far the Lord has helped us” is the testimony of EEFI.
Eretz Israel – Hebrew for “the Land of Israel.”
fSU – The “former Soviet Union” (Russia and all the other republics made independent from the Soviet Union in 1991-92)
Jewish Agency for Israel (JA) – The JA, tied closely with the Israeli government, has helped3 million Jewish people to make aliyah and integrate into Israeli life. The JA is the sole legal entity outside of Israel that can authorize an individual to make aliyah, in accordance with Israel’s Law of Return.
JOINT – An American Jewish charity which extensively funds humanitarian aid to Jews throughout the fSU. JOINT works closely with Chesed.
Law of Return – Legislation granting Jewish people the right to assisted immigration and settlement in Israel, as well as automatic Israeli citizenship. These rights are also extended to a child of a Jew, a grandchild of a Jew, a spouse of a Jew, the spouse of a child of a Jew and the spouse of a grandchild of a Jew.
Nefesh B’Nefesh – A Jewish aliyah organization, operating mainly in North America and England, encouraging immigration to Israel. NBN charters group aliyah flights and seeks to increase aliyah by removing obstacles which stand in the way of potential olim.
Olim (plural), Oleh (m. singular), Olah (f. singular) – The Hebrew words for Jewish people immigrating to Israel.
Operation Exodus – Another name for Ebenezer Emergency Fund, denoting its operational purpose: To encourage and help the Jewish people return to the Land of Israel from the land of the north and all other nations, and to proclaim God’s Kingdom purposes for their return.
Repatriates – Jews who are preparing to make aliyah or have made aliyah.
Sephardi Jews (Sephardim) – Literally “Spanish Jews,” expelled and widely dispersed from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), “Sephardi” is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to any Jew of non-Ashkenazi background. Sephardim make up the second largest group of world Jewry.
Shaliach, Shlichim (plural) – Jewish Agency Representatives outside of Israel, offering information and assistance to those interested in making aliyah.
Sochnut – Synonymous with the JA, Sochnut has offices throughout the fSU, and generally provides flights for Jews making aliyah. Ebenezer works in cooperation with Sochnut – “fishing” for Jewish people who will return to Israel, providing transport to airports, and giving other means of support.
The Importance of Aliyah
Here in His city, Jerusalem, and in His Land, Israel, we are seeing the fulfillment of biblical prophecy as God re-gathers His people to the place He covenanted to them — all in preparation for the revelation and return of the Messiah.
The modern state of Israel was founded in May 1948, undoubtedly one of the most important events in recent history. For the first time a people that had been uprooted and dispersed for almost 2,000 years returned as a sovereign nation to their historic homeland. This occurred against amazing odds and under incredible circumstances — because the Lord had promised that He would take Israel from among the nations, gather them from every country and bring them to their own land (Ezekiel 36:24).
God’s plan will not be stopped despite the world’s efforts to divide Israel among her enemies. The Lord says that He will gather Israel from the “four quarters (corners) of the earth” (Isaiah 11:12). In the midst of terrorist bombings and Iran seeking nuclear weapons, the Lord says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1, NKJV). He promises to bring Israel’s descendants to the Land (vv 5–6).
Aliyah is the Hebrew word used to describe the physical return of the Jewish people, the children of Israel, to their ancient Promised Land, Israel. Literally, it means to go up, specifically to ascend to the house of the Lord or to Zion.
The Lord “causes” His people to return (Jeremiah 30:3). More and more we are hearing about “lost tribes” coming home to Israel. We are witnessing a stirring of Jews in “all the places where they were scattered” (Ezekiel 34:12), including the Bnei Menashe in India and the descendants of the Kaifeng Jews in China.
Aliyah is an awesome display of God’s mercy and grace in these days. It is a “banner for the nations” (Isaiah 11:12), signaling that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob reigns and He alone is the true and living God. Indeed, over three million Jews have returned to the Land since Israeli independence — an exodus unparalleled since the time of Moses.
Yet we sense now that we are on the threshold of something much bigger, as Scripture clearly foretells an even greater exodus in the latter days. This will enormously impact the nations, because it will completely overshadow the first exodus from Egypt.
Such a vast exodus may seem incomprehensible, but our God has promised: ‘“So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where He had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land”’ (Jeremiah 23:7–8, NIV).
I love the statement: “They will live in their own land.” That includes Judea and Samaria! Nowadays such a statement is not politically correct, but I am so glad that it is Biblically correct.
It is also Biblical that non-Jews be used in practical ways to help implement God’s prophecy-fulfilling acts. Your prayers and your financial support will make it possible not only to satisfy the dream of Jewish people desiring to return to their homeland, but also to execute God’s divine will on the earth. What an honor and a privilege we have to participate in preparing the way for our Messiah’s return!
Theo Abbenhuis
International Development Director
