In the pine forests of Latvia and Estonia, something remarkable is happening. Jewish children who might otherwise drift away from their heritage are discovering their identity, learning Hebrew songs, and dreaming of Israel. These ICEJ-assisted summer camps represent far more than recreational activities – they are strategic investments in the prophetic return of the Jewish people to their homeland, and increasingly, a lifeline for families facing the rising tide of global antisemitism.
One story that captures this urgency involves Misha from Riga, Latvia. His grandparents had hidden their Jewish identity under Soviet rule, leaving him disconnected from his heritage. Misha caught the vision after attending an ICEJ-sponsored summer camp, where he experienced his first Shabbat and met Israeli counsellors. Today, he studies in Jerusalem, plans to serve in the IDF, and is helping his parents prepare for their own Aliyah. His transformation from a disconnected Baltic youth to a proud Israeli-in-the-making exemplifies the power of these programs.
Building Bridges Through Summer Camps
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem has pioneered a comprehensive approach to youth Aliyah that begins with summer camps spread across eight time zones, from the Baltic states to the Far East. These camps serve as crucial first encounters with Jewish identity for children who have grown up in post-Soviet societies where Judaism was suppressed for generations.
In Latvia this summer, we witnessed nearly 120 participants come together for an immersive experience far beyond typical camp activities. The diverse group included Ukrainian refugees from various European countries alongside local Jewish children from Latvia and Lithuania. For many, it was their first time celebrating Shabbat, their first exposure to Hebrew, and their first meaningful connection to Israel.
The Gateway to Aliyah
What makes these camps particularly strategic is their role as gateways to the Naale and Sela programs. Naale (Hebrew for “Youth Immigrating Ahead of Parents”) offers Jewish teenagers the opportunity to complete their high school education in Israel, fully subsidised, often before their families make Aliyah. The newer Sela program provides similar opportunities for slightly older students.
Since 2005, the ICEJ has been instrumental in this modern adaptation of the historic Youth Aliyah movement. Just as Recha Freier and Henrietta Szold rescued over 12,000 Jewish children from the Nazi horrors through the original Youth Aliyah, today’s programs offer rescue of a different kind – from assimilation, disconnection, and increasingly from antisemitism.
The progression from summer camp to Aliyah is intentional and effective. At our camps, participants meet peers who have already made the journey, hear firsthand accounts of life in Israel, and begin practical preparations like Hebrew language learning. Parents attend special sessions to understand the opportunities available for their children and to address their concerns about separation.
The Urgent Call to Action
The need has never been greater. This summer alone, we aim to bring at least 40 Jewish teenagers to Israel through Naale. Each student requires $1,100 for flight sponsorship and pre-Aliyah assistance. But this is not about numbers – it is about souls, futures, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.
The summer camps in those Baltic forests are more than childhood memories in the making. They are the beginning of a journey home, the first notes of an ancient song of return, the early stages of prophecy fulfilled.
Through your partnership, we can ensure that more Jewish children discover their identity, embrace their destiny, and find their way home to Israel. The time of favour is now. Let us not miss this divine moment to participate in God’s great ingathering of His people.
