By Laine Walldorf
In 2011 a total of over 220 South Africans made Aliyah, this as a percentage is currently one of the highest Aliyah rates in the world. The Israel Centre together with Telfed, our partners in Israel, focuses on assisting each and every individual Oleh in achieving a successful Aliyah. A lot of focus is put on the preparations beforehand and upon arrival in Israel, in order to ensure smooth sailing.
Some people make Aliyah to lend a voice to the cause, to be an integral part of Israel today. Some have the intention of actively creating and shaping the future of the Jewish people. The South African community at large is a very proudly Zionistic one, this community tends to be very active in building a strong Israel and making their voices heard. It is for this reason among many others that we see large numbers of South Africans fulfilling the Aliyah dream.
On 19 December, 21 Olim from Johannesburg and Cape Town departed from O.R Tambo for Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The group will make it just in time to spend their first Chanukah in Israel. This Red Carpet Flight was organised by the Israel centre, which represents the Jewish Agency in South Africa. Red Carpet flights began in South Africa in 2008, and since then four flights depart every year from Johannesburg.
Lee Barnett one of the Olim on this flight describes her experiences on a visit to Israel and how this ultimately led her to make Aliyah, “It was being in the land of my people that truly captured my heart. It was the incomprehensible native music blaring through the streets of Tel Aviv, It was the knowledge that everyone around me knew what it was to be a Jew, yet defined it so differently.
It was the girls cycling through the streets, the band playing on the side of the road, the waiters yelling out orders. It was, quite simply, life. It was Israeli life that stole my breath away.” And with this thought in mind, Lee decided that she would begin her Aliyah journey.
In 2011 a total of over 220 South Africans made Aliyah, this as a percentage is currently one of the highest Aliyah rates in the world. The Israel Centre together with Telfed, our partners in Israel, focuses on assisting each and every individual Oleh in achieving a successful Aliyah. A lot of focus is put on the preparations beforehand and upon arrival in Israel, in order to ensure smooth sailing.
Of course Aliyah as a process is not a simple task, it is one that takes careful consideration and preparation. But once the decision has been made, stick to it and work hard at achieving it. We thank El Al for carrying our Olim safely to their destination and look forward to our 2012 Red Carpet flights.
For more information contact the Israel Centre on (JHB) 011 645 2560 or debbie@israelcentre.co.za, (CT) 021 464 6718 or Aliyah@ctjc.co.za . Visit our website www.jewishagency.org/sa.
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First a big yasher Koach to
First a big yasher Koach to the Israel centre for its wonderful work in helping Jews make Aliyah, and helping people carry out the supreme mitzvah of living in the Land of Israel, which our Sages say is equal in weight to all the commandments in the Torah.
May Hashem grant all Olim success and everlasting joy in their exalted religious endeavor.
Having stated unreserved praise for these brave, idealistic olim and the assistance that the Israel centre provides, one must ask- Where are the rest of Diaspora Jews -especially the religious ones-.
S.African Jewry might a relative large percentage of olim relative to the rest of world Jewry, but the percentage is still very low.
If, as you say, Aliyah is something to be proud of (as it should be) why are the numbers so low?
The answer is that there is something very wrong with Jewish education in S.Africa (and the rest of the Diaspora)if such a small number of young people are making Aliyah.
Isn't the goal of Judaism for the Jewish people to live a life of Torah in Eretz Yisrael?
In his book "Orot" Rabbi Kook writes: "The concept of Judaism in the Diaspora will only find true strength through the depth of its involvment in Eretz Yisrael. Only through its longing for Eretz Yisrael will Diaspra Judaism consistently receive its inherent qualities. The yearning for salvation(albeit "hidden") gives the Judaism of the Diaspora its power of stamina; whereas the Judaism of Eretz Yisrael is the salvation itself.
This clearly means that the goal of Jewish education in the exile must NOT be the strengthening of Jewish life in the exile, but rather strengthening the Jew's connection to Eretz Yisrael.
THE GOAL OF JEWISH EDUCATION IN THE EXILE MUST BE TO INCREASE THE YEARNING TO BE SAVED FROM THE EXILE, NOT TO PROLONG IT.
The reason that Aliyah from the Diaspora is so dismally low is because Jewish education fosters the strengthening of Judaism in the Diaspora.- Eratz Yisrael is a peripheral issue.
If you speak to most of the observant Jewish youngsters today about their future, they will emphasize that their long term goals of Judaism do not include Aliyah.
This is indeed a sad state of affairs. After all a Jew is supposed to yearn for a future life in Eretz Yisrael. Isn't this what we pray for three times a day? And do we not say "Next year in Jerusalem" at thue conclusion of the Passover Seder and You Kippur prayers? Are we supposed to mean it or are we just mouthing the words?
Without educating our kids that the Land of Israel is their true homeland as Jews, but instead they are encouraged to strengthen their Judaism and identity in the Diaspora, our religious leaders are bound to fail. It is education towards extinction.
Whether through assimilation or persecution, the future od Diaspora Judaism is doomed.
Jewish educators in the Diaspora have to stop sticking their heads in the sand and face this reality. EDUCATION THAT STRIVES TO BUILD JEWISH LIFE IN GALUT IS BLIND TO THE FUTURE OF THE JEWISH NATION.
Even with a high birthrate amongst the "ultra" religious, diaspra Jewry is on a drastic decline and is destined to dissapear. THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS A GOOD THING. THE EXILE IS NOT MEANT TO LAST FOREVER.
This is what we yearn for in our prayers;
"Sound the great shofar for our freedom (from exile) and lift up the banner to bring our exiles together (in Isreal) and assemble us together from the four corners of the earth to our Land."