34 Georgian Jews, Including From The War-Torn City Gori, Immigrate To Israel August 12, 2008 – The Jewish Agency Anticipates Another 100 Olim From Georgia!

The Jewish Agency for Israel brought 34 Georgian Jews to Israel on August 12, including several from the war-torn city of Gori.

Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski told the Knesset's Immigration and Absorption Committee on August 13, that another 100 Jews from Georgia are anticipated to make aliyah.

Jewish Agency Aliyah Department Director
Eli Cohen greeted new immigrants
August 12, at Ben Gurion airport.
Credit: Brian Hendler/Jewish Agency for Israel


Jewish Agency Aliyah Department Director Eli Cohen greeted new immigrants August 12, at Ben Gurion airport. "The current operation is unprecedented in its speed," he said. "In 72 hours we evacuated Jews under fire, helped them to obtain visas to leave Georgia, verified their eligibility to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return, and got them on a plane to Israel."

CLICK HERE to view photos and learn of the hardships faced by the new Georgian immigrants now in Israel.

CLICK HERE to read the JDC statement of August 14, 2008.

CLICK HERE to read the statements issued from JAFI, JDC and NCSJ on August 13, 2008.

The swiftness of this rescue operation was possible due to your support of UJF. The collective of Federation and its overseas partners, enabled the successful evacuation of Georgian Jews and their deliverance to Israel.

CLICK HERE now to make a pledge to the 2009 Annual Campaign and show your commitment to our Jewish family in this time of need.

 
UJC Opens Emergency Mailbox For War-Torn Republic Of Georgia/South Ossetia!

August 12, 2008

United Jewish Communities/the Federations of North America opened an emergency mailbox today for Jews and the general population in the Democratic Republic of Georgia/South Ossetia, which has been engulfed in a military conflict since last week.

As part of the relief effort, UJC convened federation executives today to brief them on the situation and the UJC/Federation response. UJC's principal overseas partner agencies, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), both of which maintain services in the region, have already begun assisting the local Jewish community, which is estimated at 7,000-12,000 people. Click here to read about Federation’s accomplishments.
 

UJF's Grant for the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games Builds Relationships and Earns... Medals, Medals and More Medals

In response to a request last year by the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County made a $100,000 grant to support the JCC San Diego Maccabi Games. UJF’s grant specifically helped pay the expenses of athletes, coaches and accompanying staff from Sha'ar HaNegev, San Diego's sister city in Israel. The games, which conclude August 8, 2008, brought more than 1500 Jewish teens, ages 12-16 from all over the world along with their families and friends, more than 1,000 volunteers and 650 host families.

Impressively, these Israeli athletes from Sha'ar HaNegev as of August 7, won 19 medals. Please click here to read more about these remarkable young people and their many accomplishments.

For details of the final day of the Maccabi games and to learn how the Sha’ar HaNegev teens boosted their total medals to 31, click here.
 

Our Israel: Ehud Edri

Ehud Edri, 30, operates a hair salon in Sderot, where, he says, "the situation is terrible.” "Trying to run a business in Sderot is not easy," says Ehud. "For seven years we've lived in the shadow of terror. But lately, times have been very hard. When rockets fall, customers don't come. Checks bounce… Click here to read more about Ehud’s struggles.