In June 2022, The Jewish Agency began bringing more Ethiopian Jews to Israel through the continuation of Operation Zur Israel, a decision approved by the Israeli government in late 2021. The operation would assist thousands of Ethiopians in making Aliyah, many of whom had been waiting for years to move to the Jewish State and reunite with family members already living there.

Techelo with his family | Photo: The Jewish Agency for Israel

Techelo, 41, and his wife and four children, were passengers on the first flight of Operation Zur Israel II on June 1. Techelo had been waiting 25 years to make Aliyah and had been separated from his father and brothers for 20 years; finally, he was to be reunited with them in Israel.

“We, the Jewish people, always have hope,” shared Techelo. “And so I always prayed and hoped that when G-d decided the time was right, He would bring me home to my family.”

Also on board that first Aliyah flight of 180 Ethiopian olim (immigrants) to Israel was a delegation of dozens of community leaders from the Jewish Federations of North America and The Jewish Agency who had participated in a three-day mission to Ethiopia.

Rachel Hoffer of Phoenix, Arizona, a Jewish Agency donor, took part in that mission. She had the chance to see Jewish communal life in Ethiopia firsthand, including a visit to a synagogue, where despite rudimentary living conditions, local Jews would come and pray each day, maintaining their faith that one day they’d make it to Jerusalem. To then be on an Aliyah flight alongside these Ethiopians, and know The Jewish Agency would help them integrate into Israeli society, was incredibly meaningful to her.

Rachel Hoffer is Chair of the Board of The Jewish Agency for Israel-North American Council