"It's our home," explained Moshe Berger, who was on board the Toronto flight. "I've always wanted to live there. My wife and I have always wanted to live there. Since we got married it's been the plan and here we are."

Although some passengers expressed concern for their safety in Israel, there was a general sense of optimism among those who left Toronto's Pearson International Airport to immigrate to Israel. The Hebrew word "Aliyah" is commonly used to describe such a move.

One member of the Toronto flight, Avri Greenberg, commented "In fact, with the current crisis it gives me even more conviction to make Aliyah now than ever before. I think Israel needs my support. It needs all the Jews' support."

The government of Israel's Jewish Agency and the privately funded Nefesh B'Nefesh organization combined their efforts to make the event possible.

"All of these people have outstanding lives here in Canada," remarked Tzvi Richter, Director of Social Services for Nefesh B'Nefesh. "And they're not running away from anything. Life in Canada is wonderful. They're running towards something. They want to grow. They want to raise their families in Israel."

Making Aliyah does come with a package of benefits. Along with the free flight to Israel, the Jewish Agency provides extras such as free Hebrew lessons, subsidized housing, health coverage and three years of college or university tuition. However for many the motivation runs deeper than the incentives.

"Israel is home for the Jewish people," noted Vivienne Tankus, who was making Aliyah from Toronto with her husband. "It's a spiritual home. It's a physical home. Plus we're going to meet our brand new granddaughter who is just a month old and our little grandson who is fifteen months old. My daughter lives in Israel with her husband and her two children."

Jonathan Moshevich, who was on board the plane from Toronto, expressed his conviction to make the move, "The war going on in the north of Israel, In Lebanon right now has actually reinforced my desire to go to Israel. And I stand by my decision. I think it makes it the right decision when you don't just go because it's nice and the beach is warm. You're going because you want to be there, and I do want to be in Israel."

The strongest pull, however, seems to be rooted in religious conviction. Approximately 70 percent of the passengers on the flight from Toronto were orthodox Jews. For Avri and Lorien Balofsky, packing up their belongings and moving from Hamilton, Ontario to Israel has been a life-long dream.

"Aliyah definitely is a major part of my religious journey," noted Avri Balofsky. "I believe it is the Jewish homeland, and we pray three times a day to go to Israel. And anything we pray for we should also try and make happen in real life. All these things we pray for, we should have action associated with it."

Whatever their reason for making Aliyah, the Israeli Government welcomes them with open arms. Immigration of Jews from the west is good for Israel.

Referring to newcomers, mostly from Toronto, as a "present—a beautiful present," Ya'acov (Kobi) Brosh, Israeli Consul General of Toronto observed, "It's certainly … a strong group of people who come. And they will help us so much in everything that we do need in Israel, which is the human resource … with all the misery that we've had in the last month, this is a great day today."

It was, in fact, a milestone for Israel.

Not only was it the largest immigration of Jews from English speaking western nations in a single day, but a strong message was sent to Israel's enemies. Despite weeks of intense fighting and a fragile ceasefire, the Jewish world was not deterred. To them no nation holds as promising a future as Israel.

Ehud Olmert, Israel's Prime Minister, addressed the new citizens at a welcoming ceremony at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

When more than 500 Jews on these days come to the State of Israel, what this is saying to the world is we are afraid of no one," Olmert told the crowd. "But if there is one thing which can make a difference for the future of the State of Israel, one thing that really strengthens this country, is Aliyah to the State of Israel."

A number of Evangelical Christian organizations see the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland as having great spiritual significance.

"The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem helps the Jewish people in many ways to return to Israel," noted Donna Holbrook, the Embassy's Canadian Director. "We help with funding to those who qualify … [and] when they arrive in Israel, as they need … It could be finding an apartment … for education … and just helping in every aspect."

The Jewish community finds the support encouraging.

"We know we have friends," remarked Dina Gidron, former Regional Director of the Israel Aliyah Centre of Central and Western Canada. "We know there are friends among the Christian community that are supportive of Israel and supportive of Aliyah."

But why? What motivates Christians to be willing to help members of the Jewish community make Aliyah?

"Because it's biblical, first and foremost," explained Donna Holbrook. "It is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy through Isaiah and Jeremiah. And they will come from the north, from all corners of the earth. And the west is probably the last area that is being called, beckoned right now."

So, in a sense Aliyah is a crossroads of destinies.

For the Jew, it is the fulfillment of ancient biblical texts that foretell their return to the land of their forefathers after 2,000 years of dispersion.

For the non-Jew, it is the opportunity to participate in the biblical mandate given by God that non-Jews help His Chosen ones return to Israel.

Which in fact is taking place, from the west, on an increasing basis every year, giving Israel a reason to celebrate … and hope for the future.

Marney Blom is the news director for Acts News Network.

Originally posted on the Acts News Network, September 2006.

Used with permission of author. Copyright © 2006 Christianity.ca.