After World War II, many Jews who remained in the countries of the Soviet Union to survive were forced to hide their Jewish identity. Some changed their names, others used false identities, and they burned their original documents to avoid being identified. For the descendants of these individuals, even though they are Jews, the process of making Aliyah, returning to Israel, has become a challenge. Despite having rights due to their Jewish roots, they lack certain essential documents, making the process long and complicated.
Ezra and his family were part of this group of people who fought for a long time to make Aliyah. They eventually decided to come to Israel to continue the process here, with the assistance of local lawyers who were experts in the field.
However, after a year of living in Israel and facing difficulties in accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment, just like any other citizen, they still had not received a positive response from the Aliyah and immigration offices. Authorities argued that they lacked crucial documents. Exhausted of resources and options, they made the difficult decision to return to their home country, Belarus.
Despite this setback, Ezra’s lawyers in Israel continued to hold onto hope and encouraged him to return, this time without his family, to try one last time. After so much perseverance, he finally received a positive response although he faced difficulties on his own, Ezra managed to secure his right to legally reside in Israel with his family.
A Journey of Hope and Determination Continued
The odyssey began when his wife and two children attempted to enter Israel. They found that the immigration office at the airport was not updated on the new rights of the family to reunite. After hours of detention, they were deported without explanations, without even having the opportunity to see the bewildered Ezra, who waited helplessly in the arrivals hall of the airport. This incomprehensible incident was the result of mismanagement and negligence on the part of the Ministry of Immigration, highlighting the difficulties many immigrants face when dealing with the bureaucracy of the system.
The mother and three daughters, who had nothing left in their home country, managed to find a flight to Turkey, where they were taken in by acquaintances for the next two months while they tried to resolve their issues with the Aliyah office and embark on the journey to Israel once again. It was necessary to visit the Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan, who, upon learning of the family’s difficulties, intervened and helped achieve the long-awaited reunion of the family in Israel after almost three months of “wandering” through Europe, similar to the journey of the Jewish people in the desert before reaching the Promised Land.
However, even though the family’s reunion in Israel was made possible, only Ezra received immigrant status and all associated rights. His wife and daughters still cannot access the healthcare system, seek employment, and enjoy other basic citizen rights. Their status remains in process, and the waiting period could be extended for a considerable amount of time.
A Journey of Hope and Determination
Our social action ministry, City Of Life, met Ezra when he was alone and desperate in Israel while trying to process his Aliyah. From that moment, we have not stopped helping him and his entire family in every way possible. From their unfortunate journey through different countries to their reunion in Israel, we have been providing constant support. This includes providing food and essential goods, legal and professional counseling, emotional support, and fellowship visits. We want them to feel loved and welcomed in this country, despite the difficulties they have faced.
Our focus is to uplift this family so that, as a unit, they can move forward and have the strength to wait for the process and face whatever is necessary until their full rights are respected.
We earnestly request that you continue to keep this and all families in similar situations in your prayers, so that doors are opened, and in prophetic fulfillment, they are accepted to return to Israel, the land of their ancestors.
Our support for these families is crucial to make the Aliyah process less challenging despite the difficulties, allowing them to start a new life in Israel.
You can join us in this task of providing support and relief as they fulfill the promises of the end times here in Israel.
You have the opportunity to join us in blessing these individuals and being part of this obedient commitment as countless families await our support, and together, we can make a difference. Your involvement can impact lives in our city, leading them toward the way, the truth, and the life.
You can be part of and impact the lives of more people who need help in our city and together show them the way, the truth and the life.
We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot.
Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, so we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with the Lord’s work here in Israel.
Sincerely yours
Pastors
Michael & Dina Beener
and CLM Israel Team
“City of Life”
Messianic congregation and Outreach Center
Sderot, Israel.
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