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A Groan Is Heard in Heaven

April 3, 2017

This month we celebrate Passover (Pesach). The nation of Israel will observe the Passover for seven days. The holiday begins with a meal and a program called a seder. During this holiday every detail of their slavery in Egypt and their deliverance will be talked about, sung about and celebrated.

The children of Israel endured much hardship in Egypt. The Bible says, “Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them” (Exod. 2:23–25).

Today there are children of Israel who are groaning; they are crying out to God for deliverance. They are the Jews of Russia, of Ukraine, South America, Europe and the B’nei Menashe in northeast India. Many of them are living in extremely difficult circumstances. They are suffering from anti-Semitism. They are living in abject poverty. They are facing ongoing war in Ukraine. They are crying out and God hears their cry.

The Jews of Russia Are Alarmed

As I write, the deputy of Russia’s State Duma, Elena Muzylina of the United Russia party, has announced that the representatives of Jews are not welcomed in the modern Russian Federation. She said, “I offer to help Russian Jews to leave for Israel. Let’s cover their moving expenses and give them the medals for the liberation of Russia. We should explain to the Jews—you have your own country, go there and leave us alone. We are better off without you.” She has explained her anti-Semitic position by the following statement: “Today the Jews of Russia takes [sic] a really big part in mass media, business, and government. Any Jew, no matter where he is, anyway looks towards Israel and can’t be a patriot of our country.”

The proposed ethnic clearing, in the opinion of Muzylina, will result in considerable improvement of the moral and political climate of the Russian state.

The Jews of Eastern Ukraine Are Desperate

Our drivers put their lives at risk on a regular basis, often traveling at night, to rescue Jewish families stuck behind the lines in eastern Ukraine. It is a war zone. Even walking outside one is at risk of bombs and artillery. Electric and water services are often non-existent. I hear their cries and see the plaintive looks on their faces. Will no one come to their rescue?

The Bnei Menashe Long to Come Home

Recently we sent out an urgent request for funds by email and telephone. Without our help the entire aliyah (immigration) from India was at risk. An ultimatum was issued from the Ministry of Interior: “Bring the next group by the middle of February or we will stop the entire aliyah.” Our friend, Michael Freund of Shavei Israel was missing $100,000 dollars and Christians gave. The next group was able to arrive in Israel as scheduled! Michael has a goal of bringing another 600 Jews home from India this year and is asking for our help. Families are currently divided. Parents and children are separated by thousands of miles (kilometers). Their financial lack makes it impossible for them to make aliyah without help. They are groaning; they are crying out to God for deliverance.

The Jews of Europe Are Worried

Anti-Semitism is increasing all over Europe. The Jewish people are discussing their exodus. They need encouragement. Many need financial answers. “God, do you hear their cries?”

Israel Welcomes Christian Help

I have had several meetings with Israeli officials who want to know if we can help. Recently they asked for assistance to bring more young people who will come without their parents, learn Hebrew and join their people in building up the State of Israel. The answer is “Yes, we will help.” How much we can do is dependent on the generosity of Christians all over the world. So far, with your donations we have helped to rescue 59,447 Jewish people from the former Soviet Union and many hundreds more from northeast India. Still we hear their cries. Still the Lord has not removed the burden from our hearts. Will you give generously to re-unite families; to save some from the perils of war; to snatch them from the jaws of the anti-Semites; to help dry their tears and partner with God to bring them to their Promised Land? Together, we can give them their God-ordained future in the land of Israel.

Blessings from Israel,
Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO

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