Yom Ha’Aliyah Commemoration in War Time
Sunset, Friday, March 27 – Nightfall, Saturday, March 28, 2026
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . .” Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT
Yom Ha’Aliyah (יוֹם הָעֲלִיָּה) literally means “Day of the Aliyah” in Hebrew, where Aliyah (עֲלִיָּה) translates to “ascent” or “going up.” It marks the first Aliyah—when Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 4). Today, it stands as an Israeli national holiday honoring the courageous Olim who have answered God’s call to return to the Land He promised them. God has not forgotten the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.” Psalm 105:11 NLT
This year, however, Yom Ha’Aliyah arrives in a very different atmosphere. Instead of parades, ceremonies, and school celebrations, the day is marked by the perils of war. Israel is walking through one of the most painful and uncertain moments in its modern history. Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as it is written in Psalm 122:6.
Despite the war, the miracle of Aliyah continues. God is still calling His people home. Our ministry has been blessed to receive numerous inquiries and applications from individuals and families planning to make Aliyah in the coming months.
Every Oleh—whether they arrived last month or generations ago—made a choice rooted in faith: faith in God, faith in the unbroken thread of Jewish history, faith in the future, and faith in the enduring truth that the Land of Israel is home. That same courage is alive today in the resilience of Israelis across the Land, who continue to uphold one another in prayer and trust God for protection, deliverance, and hope amid crises.
Below is an article written by dear and esteemed friends who themselves chose to obey God’s call to return to Israel. Israel is their home, and they stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Israelis as they endure yet another painful war, defending their land from destruction.
Adrianne Prosser
Outreach Development Director, OEUSA
March 21, 2026 – Day 22 of “Operation Roaring Lion”
It is Shabbat morning. In one sense, these past 22 days feel like 122, as one crisis has snowballed into another, leaving us wondering when it will all finally end.
The Lord has given us—and all who trust in Him—a peace that goes beyond one’s human understanding. In Hebrews 4:9, the author offers reassurance and hope: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” NIV Paul is referring to not only an actual day of rest but more than just observing a specific day of the week. It’s about an inward peace and wholeness with God, not depending on external circumstances.
Through faith and trust in God, we can find a deep and lasting rest for our souls, reminding us of the eternal rest to come. This Sabbath-rest serves as a precursor—a promise that concludes in a future, perfect rest (Revelation 14:13). The rest we get to experience here is only a shadow, and what we hope for is the reality (Colossians 2:17).
Sabbath-rest isn’t earned. It’s a gift God offers to all who seek Him. As you contemplate Hebrews 4:9, consider: What it would look like for you to fully enter God’s rest in your daily life. How can you practice releasing your burdens and anxieties to Him?
The promise of Sabbath-rest is not just a concept. It’s a reality for those who walk faithfully with God. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all of God’s chosen people. The trauma is palpable on the faces and actions of many of our people. You can see it in the supermarket, on the bus & trains, in the office buildings, and on the streets. We have felt office buildings and our home shake, as Israel’s defense intercepts incoming ballistic missiles.
Trauma is a deeply distressing and disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Trauma can impact a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being, often leading to feelings of helplessness, fear, and loss of control.
There appears to be no end in sight, and the situation has the potential to get a lot worse before it gets better. Not knowing where we are on the prophetic time clock makes it even more challenging.
With the tragic events of “Oct 7th”, still fresh on our minds, let us remember the amazing testimonies from the hostages kept in tunnels for months, who experienced the overwhelming presence of God, that many experienced.
Let us pray the same for an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the Land, and all of Hs chosen people, despite what’s going on in the natural.
Pray that those of us who can experience that “Sabbath Rest” that Paul talks about, can be a Light to those around us, and to those that God puts in our path.
Please pray for safety for all, a quick and decisive end to the current crisis with Iran and all of their proxies.
Let us remember the powerful words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 – “Yes, you yourselves planned evil against me. God planned it for good, in order to bring about what it is this day—to preserve the lives of many people. “ TLV
Larry and Bess Herzekow
Friends of Operation Exodus USA
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