Georgian Jews making Aliyah
By Koen Carlier

A short while ago the world was shocked by the news of an open war between Georgia and Russia. It was nothing less than a human catastrophe for the former Soviet republic where the majority of citizens already live in poverty.
For several years now Christians for Israel, working together with Ebenezer, has been helping and supporting Jewish families in Georgia in many different ways, and since 1991 tens of thousands of Jews have made Aliyah to Israel.
The prophet Jeremiah described the ‘Land of the North’ as a boiling pot (Jer.1:13-14). The prophet Zechariah says that when the Jews flee, they had better go to Israel: “Up, up, flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. “Up, Zion, escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zech.2:6-7).
Some years ago I arrived in Georgia with this message and more Bible verses. It was a beautiful country with hundreds of villages in the mountains and on first sight all looked peaceful. We’ve traveled all over the country and have since been back a second time, everywhere visiting Jewish families in their little houses and flats. The poverty was obvious wherever we went, but the hospitality was indescribable! And we thought to ourselves: ‘Do we really have to encourage the Jews living in these peaceful surroundings to leave everything behind and make Aliyah to an unstable situation in Israel?’ It was not an easy thing to do. But during that time we escorted many Jews to the airport of Tbilisi. It is quite unique that almost all Georgian Jews have biblical names. For example, we were able to escort the 32-year old Moses with his 22-year old sister Miriyam to the airport. The other family members were not yet prepared to join them. On the way we shared the Word of God with them and talked about spiritual matters, and they in turn asked us the question we hear again and again, why Christians show their love and support to Jews living all over the world, often in difficult circumstances, and even help them practically in crucial moments of their lives.
If there is one thing that Jews remember, it is the date of departure from their land of birth to the land of their forefathers. In the town of Kutaisi we had an appointment with a Hebrew teacher and her pupils who week by week are studying their future language. We talked with them, encouraging them with Bible verses. Some of them are still very young and yet determined to make Aliyah. Recently, the teacher decided to go to Israel herself and many others from Kutaisi followed her example – just in time.
Before leaving from Tbilisi to return to Ukraine we met with Abraham, his wife Sarah and their only son Isaac. They were elderly and knew the Bible well, but whether they would ever make Aliyah was uncertain.
The good news is that in August, just before the outbreak of the war, 8 Olim (Jews returning to Israel) reached the airport in Tbilisi safely and left for Israel where they have since started a new chapter in their lives.
As I am writing this, Alex Katz, head of the Jewish Agency in the former Soviet Union is in Georgia himself. He has arranged for extra El-Al flights so that Jews wanting to leave can get to Israel as quickly as possible. In August, through negotiation tens of Jews have been able to leave the town of Gori, occupied by Russian forces and situated in Central Georgia, and have now arrived safely in Israel, their home. We appreciate your prayers for the volunteers and drivers who are staying there under difficult circumstances and are still escorting Jews to the airport on roads in an even worse state than before as a result of the bombings.
When you help one Jewish person or one family or a busload of Jews make Aliyah to Israel you will receive a certificate with your name and the name(s) of the person or persons you have sponsored (See Coupon on the backpage). Thank you so much!
Captions photo: Georgian-Jewish immigrants arriving safely in Israel a few days after the war broke out this summer in their country.

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Georgian Jews making Aliyah By Koen Carlier

Georgian Jews making Aliyah
By Koen Carlier