Aliyah Day: Celebrating the Miracle of Return
Every year on the 7th of Cheshvan, Israel marks a very special day — Yom HaAliyah (Aliyah Day) — a national day honoring one of the core values and callings of the modern State of Israel: the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland. The Hebrew word Aliyah (עֲלִיָּה) literally means “ascent” or “going up.”
As Israel celebrates Yom HaAliyah today, I find myself on a bus, I’m going up to Jerusalem. For me — and for our entire team in Ukraine — this day carries deep spiritual and emotional significance. It is not just a national holiday; it is a reminder that God’s promises are being fulfilled before our eyes.
Serving in the Aliyah
For more than three decades, our Christians for Israel team in Ukraine has been faithfully serving Jewish people who are returning home. We are not merely a transport organization helping people move from point A to point B — we are taking part in God’s divine plan, the prophetic return of His people to the Land He promised to them.
Over the years, thousands of lives have passed through our hands. We have carried their stories, their pain, their joy — and their hope — in our hearts and in our prayers.
“For us, this day is a special holiday. We are not just helping people travel; we are witnessing God’s Word come alive.”
Today, as I walk the streets of Israel and meet those who made Aliyah years ago, I am overwhelmed with joy to see their children and grandchildren thriving in this land. My eyes see the fulfillment of prophecy, and my heart rejoices.
A small collection of photos from recent Aliyah journeys we were privileged to support:
What Is Yom HaAliyah?
Aliyah, or immigration to Israel, is a cornerstone of the modern State of Israel. The nation was founded through waves of Jewish immigration and has always seen itself as a safe haven for every Jew, welcoming new immigrants since its very beginnings.
In 2016, the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) officially established Yom HaAliyah (Aliyah Day), celebrated annually on the 7th of Cheshvan (this year falling on October 29th).
This day was created “to recognize the importance of Aliyah to the Land of Israel as the basis for the existence of the State of Israel, and for its development and strengthening as a multicultural society.”
A Biblical Connection: “Lech-Lecha” – Go Forth
The date for Yom HaAliyah coincides with the week in which the Torah portion Lech-Lecha (Genesis 12–17) is read in synagogues. The very name Lech-Lecha — “Go forth” — captures the essence of Aliyah.
In this passage, God calls Abram:
“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.” — Genesis 12:1
Abram obeyed, journeying to the Land of Canaan — the very same land where millions of his descendants continue to return today.
Continuing the Journey Together
Today, as thousands of Jewish people continue to make Aliyah, we at Christians for Israel give thanks for the privilege of serving in this ongoing miracle.
Each step, each flight, each family that returns — is another chapter in the story God began long ago. And we are honored to play a small part in it.
