Year by Year History of Ebenezer Emergency Fund

1991

Head office of Ebenezer Emergency Fund founded by Gustav and Elsa Scheller and Head
Office set up in Bournemouth. Funds raised by supporters to finance Jewish agency flights from
Budapest, Hungary, bringing 720 Russian Jews to Tel Aviv.

Dec ’91 – Jan ’92

Greek vessel Mediterranean Sky chartered to carry 1,400 olim (Jewish repatriates) in three
sailings from Odessa to Haifa.

1992

A time of waiting, laying foundations for the expansion of the EEF network.
Prayer support built up. German office opened.

1993

A Ukrainian ship, the Dmitry Shostakovich, was chartered for 25 sailings between March and
December, carrying about 2,500 Jewish people to Israel from Odessa.
The volunteer process established.
International Advisory Board formed and appointment of National Co-ordinators in New
Zealand, Germany, Switzerland and USA.

1994

More waiting on the Lord. EEF officially registered in Ukraine.
Three mercy flights operated from Armenia direct to Israel.
Work started in Central Asia republics.
Start of Humanitarian Aid programme.

1995

Dmitry Shostakovich used for 10 more sailings.
EEF helped nearly 100 olim from Armenia.
Expansion of the work in Kazakhstan with 600 Jews making aliyah (‘returning’ to Israel) by air
during the year.
Staff of paid Ukrainians formed.

1996

Twelve more sailings of the Dmitry Shostakovich, including EEF’s 50th voyage.
A year of expansion in Siberia, with a base established in Khabarovsk, Russian Far East.
A representative for Uzbekistan appointed, with an increase in numbers of Jews going ‘home’
from this area. Jews from Kazakhstan and Armenia continue to make aliyah. Humanitarian Aid
activities stepped up, especially in Ukraine and Siberia.

1997

Sailings of the Dmitry Shostakovich continue.
Further expansion of the work of Ebenezer in Siberia, with a base established in Novosibirsk.

1998

A marked increase in aliyah from the fSU; base established in Georgia.

1999

Sailings continue using Dmitry Shostakovich, culminating in the 100th sailing in December
1999. By the end of that year over 50,000 Jews had been helped to make aliyah, since the EEF
began – 25,000 by ship chartered by EEF and the rest on Jewish Agency flights from the fSU.
More offices opened in Russia. Many ‘fishing’ trips to Jewish communities, providing food and
aid as well as sharing about aliyah and providing the help needed to go to Israel. Leadership of
operations in the fSU was divided into two geographical areas: in Moscow to cover northern
Russia and Siberia and southern head office in Kiev to oversee the work in Ukraine, Georgia,
Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and the Central Asia countries.

2000

Iskenderun, a Turkish ship, was chartered for the first two sailings of the year. After this the
Russ, a sister ship of the Dmitry Shostakovich, was chartered for the rest of the year. Flights also
continued.
After the death of Gustav Scheller the EEF constitution changed to a limited company with a
board of directors. Gustav’s office in Ebenezer House, Bournemouth, remained at the centre of
Operation Exodus.
Offices in USA, Switzerland and Germany and National Co-ordinators in Australia, Austria,
Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.

2001

Under a new shipping agreement with Mano Maritime, the Iris, a sister ship of the Russ and the
Dmitry Shostakovich, was refurbished to a high standard with additional cabin space and made
available for 16 sailings.
The use of intercessors on the bases and for 24-hour prayer cover on each sailing, was re-
established, with volunteers who were allocated for that purpose supplemented by guest
intercessors from the nations.
Increase in number of fSU offices used as fishing bases. They covered vast territories, with staff
and volunteers from local churches and volunteers from around the world working together.

National Co-ordinators appointed in Poland and India.
The intifada in Israel had a small effect on numbers repatriating, but many were still seeking to
move to the Promised Land. Signs of increasing anti – Semitism in Russia, particularly in the
wake of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.

2002

The need to keep the ‘holy highway’ open was emphasised to Ebenezer intercessors; the sailing
programme continued. In June the Jasmine replaced the Iris.
Foundations for further expansion of ‘fishing’ operations laid and fruitful contacts with local
churches and the Jewish agency made it possible to reach even remote towns. Although numbers
of those making aliyah were generally lower there was an increase from Uzbekistan.

2003

There is a marked increase in anti-Semitism internationally, particularly throughout Europe.
Overall, aliyah declined but EEF assisted a larger proportion of those making aliyah from the
fSU and the work there, including fishing and humanitarian aid distribution, continued to grow.
The Jasmine did 10 sailings and in October carried the 100,000th olim helped by Ebenezer to
make aliyah.
UK development begun with the appointment of regional representatives and prayer leaders, a
Call to Prayer in repentance for past anti-Semitism and replacement theology in the Church and
to intercede for aliyah.

2004

Ten sailings between Odessa and Haifa, the last bringing the shipping operation to a close. The
ministry continues to help with flights for Jewish people to return to Israel.

2005

Ebenezer Operation Exodus USA office opens in Buffalo, New York State.
Fishing and humanitarian aid outreach activities continue through the fSU.
Ebenezer’s first exploratory visit to Latin America to prepare for new aliyah highways.
Ebenezer becomes a founding member of the European Coalition for Israel.

2006

First Ebenezer speaking tour in Nigeria, resulting in more intercessors for the ministry and for
Israel.
Ebenezer begins to provide humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia to those awaiting the aliyah
process.
Strategy begun for working more closely with churches in the fSU.
Office opened in Jerusalem to assist olim as they settle in the land. During the war between
Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon, Shirley Lawrenson, Olim Liaison, provided comfort and aid to
families caught up in the conflict.

2007

Ebenezer – Operation Exodus established a church advisory board in the former Soviet Union
and regional advisory boards in Latin America and SE Asia/Oceania in the belief that the Lord is
creating a new framework worldwide in preparation for a greater aliyah that is to come. Strong
contacts within the Church seen as a key.

2008

Ebenezer – Operation Exodus sponsored a flight of Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa to Tel
Aviv.
Ebenezer USA started to set up regional ‘hubs’.
In South Africa Ebenezer provided financial assistance through the Jewish Agency to olim for
their arrival in Israel, resulting in increased cooperation with the Jewish Agency.

2009

Ebenezer – Operation Exodus provided financial support for the first Jewish Agency Red Carpet
programme flight from the UK, bringing 107 olim with ages ranging from three to 90 to Israel.
The Israel Project, an initiative to help bring forth the Next Generation of leaders for the work of
aliyah, brought together young Christian people from a number of nations in an eye-opening and
much-blessed visit to the Land.
Our teams in the fSU played an important part in assisting 230 new Jewish immigrants arriving
in Israel in one day on nine Jewish Agency flights. The fSU continues to be the major focus of
our ministry, requiring increasing prayer and financial support.

2010

By the end of January over 128,000 Jewish people had been helped to make aliyah through the
ministry of Ebenezer – Operation Exodus.
Ebenezer UK partners with the Jewish Agency in further group aliyah flights from London to Tel
Aviv.