THE RUSSIAN EMERGENCY ALIYAH FUND (REAF) HISTORY At one time the Russian Empire hosted the largest Jewish population in the world. Despite periods of intense anti-Semitic discriminatory policies, the Jewish population thrived and flourished. Many of modern Judaism’s most distinctive theological and cultural traditions (e.g. Chabad Lubavitch) were developed during these times of persecution. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many Soviet Jews took advantage of liberalized emigration policies, with over half their population leaving, most for Israel, the United States and Germany. Despite this, the Jewish people in Russia and the nations of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) constitute one of the larger Jewish populations in Europe. THE PROBLEM: WORSENING CONDITIONS . . . RISING ANTI-SEMITISM Since 1989, over 1 million olim (Jewish immigrants to Israel) arrived in Israel from the FSU and Eastern Europe. Official government census indicates there are over one million Jewish people remaining in the FSU. Because many Jewish people do not indicate their heritage on official forms for fear of persecution, the number of Jewish people remaining in the FSU and Eastern Europe is much higher. Despite stipulations against inciting hatred based on ethnic or religious grounds, anti-Semitic pronouncements, speeches and articles are not uncommon in Russia, and there are a large number of anti-Semitic neo-Nazi groups in the republics of the Former Soviet Union. Local media declared in 2002 that "Anti-Semitism is booming in Russia". Over the past few years there have also been bombs attached to anti-Semitic signs, apparently aimed at Jews, and other violent incidents, including stabbings, have been recorded. WHY REAF WAS ESTABLISHED: The REAF was founded in 1999 by the MJAA’s General Secretary, Joel Chernoff. Its purpose is to assist the FSU Jewish population escape the rising anti-Semitism and grinding poverty by making aliyah (immigrating) to Israel—all in fulfillment of prophecy (Jeremiah 16:14-16). HOW REAF WORKS? REAF assists the Jewish people (Messianic, secular and traditional) who have a desire to immigrate to Israel. We work closely with both Christian and Messianic partner agencies in Eastern Europe and the FSU. Our agents identify Jewish people who have a genuine desire to go to Israel and have no means to accomplish the task. While the Israeli government will transport these precious people at no cost to the individual, many times families have large debts that must be paid before they are allowed to leave the country. Or, there are health issues that prevent them from making the long journey. Even if this is not the case, those families who are poor cannot afford the expenses for obtaining passports and other appropriate paperwork. This is where REAF comes in. We pay for these debts or medical bills and any transportation and documentation costs to get them to that transit city. Once in Israel our Joseph Project can also help families with humanitarian aid and other goods and services. We can also direct them to local congregations who can feed them spiritually. BE PART OF PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT $350 assists one person $700 assists a couple $1,400 assists a family of four Click here to support