Sep 14, 2022

Operation Zur Continues to Reunite Ethiopian Families in Israel

This past Wednesday, Israel welcomed 209 Ethiopians fulfilling a lifelong dream of aliyah and reuniting with family members already in Israel. Some have been waiting anxiously for decades to see their loved ones. Federation overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel is among the organizations spearheading Operation Zur Israel, which will bring approximately 3,000 Ethiopians to Israel by November. Executives from The Jewish Agency and Federation leaders were onboard the momentous flight from Ethiopia, accompanying the olim (immigrants) as they took their first steps in the Jewish state. Included among the group were five dedicated volunteers from our Jewish community: International Division Chair Dr. Jaime Ghitelman, Kent Savage, Chair of the Ethiopian-Israeli Initiative Sheree Savar, Israel and Overseas Committee Member Yosef Shwedel and Israel & Overseas Director Dahlia Bendavid. Click here to read more and view images and videos from the historic trip.