March 14, 2010 / 28 Adar 5770

The journey of Ethiopian Jews to Israel is always an emotional one.  But when it involves the reuniting of a family after several decades of waiting – the emotions run even higher.

On Wednesday morning, March 3, Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod was the site of a stirring scene – an aircraft carrying 120 immigrants from Ethiopia touching down on the runway.

The group of immigrants was accompanied by a senior delegation of JEFNA – Breakthrough Mission, and Jeff Kaye, former Director of the Department of Resource Development.  The members of the delegation traveled to Ethiopia in order to get a sense of the immigrants’ final preparations for their trip to Israel, and to accompany them on the flight.

Families of veteran Ethiopian immigrants waited anxiously for their loved ones at the Ben Gurion airport arrivals hall.  Among those waiting was a man who had not seen his sister in 11 years, and a mother who had not seen her son in 14 years and had never met her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

The emotions displayed as the families reunited are indescribable.  Onlookers who saw family members come together for the first time in so many years could not help but feel touched by the remarkable sight.

After the emotional welcome, the new immigrants proceeded to absorption centers where they are now taking their first steps in their new life in Israel.