Glossary of Terms
Aliyah עליה
Aliyah is the word for the immigration of Jewish people from the Diaspora to the Land of Israel. The word in Hebrew means ‘ascent’ and is defined as ‘going up’ - progressing towards Jerusalem.
Ebenezer Emergency Fund International (EEFI)
An international Christian organization working in cooperation with the Jewish Agency of Israel to help Jewish people return to Israel. The word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help” in Hebrew (I Samuel 7:12). “Thus far the Lord has helped us” is the testimony of EEFI.
Diaspora תפוצה
As relating to the Jewish people; 1. The scattering of the Jewish people to countries outside their Covenant (promised) Land. 2. The body of Jewish people living in countries outside of Israel. 3. All of the other countries of the world collectively, besides Israel, where the Jewish people have been scattered: “the return of the Jews from the Diaspora”.
Ebenezer Operation Exodus
Another name for Ebenezer Emergency Fund, denoting its operational purpose: To encourage and help the Jewish people return to the Land of Israel from all the nations, and to proclaim God’s Kingdom purposes for their return.
Sephardi Jews (Sephardim)
Literally “Spanish Jews,” expelled and widely dispersed from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), “Sephardi” is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to any Jew of non-Ashkenazi background. Sephardim make up the second largest group of world Jewry.
Law of Return
Legislation granting Jewish people the right to assisted immigration and settlement in Israel, as well as automatic Israeli citizenship. These rights are also extended to a child of a Jew, a grandchild of a Jew, a spouse of a Jew, the spouse of a child of a Jew and the spouse of a grandchild of a Jew.
fSU
The “former Soviet Union” (Russia and all the other republics made independent from the Soviet Union in 1991-92).
Olim (plural), Oleh (singular m.) עולה, Olah (f. singular)
The Hebrew words for Jewish people immigrating to Israel.
Repatriates
Jews who are preparing to make Aliyah or have made Aliyah.
Ashkenazi Jews (Ashkenazim)
Literally “German Jews,” who also migrated to form communities in Hungary, Poland, Russia, Eastern Europe and elsewhere. In a broader sense, “Ashkenazi” can refer to any Jew of European background. About 80% of Jews worldwide are Ashkenazi.
Nefesh B’Nefesh נפש בנפש
A Jewish Aliyah organization, operating mainly in North America and England, encouraging immigration to Israel. NBN charters group Aliyah flights and seeks to increase Aliyah by removing obstacles which stand in the way of potential Olim.
Jewish Agency for Israel (JA)
The JA, tied closely with the Israeli government, has helped 3 million Jewish people to make Aliyah and integrate into Israeli life. The JA is the sole legal entity outside of Israel that can authorize an individual to make Aliyah, in accordance with Israel’s Law of Return.
Sochnut
Synonymous with the JA, Sochnut has offices throughout the fSU, and generally provides flights for Jews making Aliyah. Ebenezer Operation Exodus works in cooperation with Sochnut – “fishing” for Jewish people who will return to Israel, providing transport to airports, and giving other means of support.
Klitah
Klitah concerns the absorption of Olim after they have arrived in Israel. It includes all aspects of integrating into society, including learning Hebrew, finding employment and housing, school enrolment and serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Shaliach, Shlichim (plural)
Jewish Agency Representatives outside of Israel, offering information and assistance to those interested in making Aliyah.
Eretz Israel ארץ ישראל
Hebrew for “the Land of Israel”.
JOINT
An American Jewish charity which extensively funds humanitarian aid to Jews throughout the fSU. JOINT works closely with Chesed.
Chesed (Hebrew for “Grace”) חסד
A Jewish charity working extensively across the fSU to establish Jewish community centers. Chesed does a great work in looking after the needs of elderly Jews in particular.