On Monday, 18th August 2025, we were blessed to welcome Pat Frame from Ezra UK, a ministry dedicated to helping Jewish people return to Israel in fulfilment of God’s promises. Pat shared a sobering yet hope-filled update on Aliyah in the midst of war, rising antisemitism, and global uncertainty.
Her report reminded us of this truth: while the nations shake, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock” (Jeremiah 31:10).
We invite you to read or watch this update with prayerful hearts, standing with God’s purposes for His people, and interceding for Jewish families making the difficult journey home.
Refined Transcript –(Ezra UK, Aliyah Ministry)
Title: Aliyah Update Aug 2025
Speaker: Pat Frame
Event: Prayer for Israel Gathering
It’s good to be back with you all.
We are very much aware of the situation in Israel right now, and the stresses and challenges that come with it. As Miss Paul has said, Israel is still the safest place for Jewish people to go.
My focus today is on the effects of the recent war on Aliyah. During the twelve-day war with Iran, many flights into Israel were cancelled. This left many olim stranded—often after they had already given up their homes and jobs, sometimes waiting in transit countries. This creates real difficulties and expense both for them and for us. Thankfully the conflict was short, but even brief interruptions create backlogs before flights resume.
What’s remarkable is that, despite these challenges, Aliyah has not significantly decreased. Jewish people are still returning to Israel. Humanly, we would say “wait until it’s safe,” but Isaiah 49 reminds us that God Himself will deal with Israel’s enemies as His sons and daughters return home.
Current Aliyah Numbers
- Russia & Belarus – Still the largest group, with over 700 from Russia and around 164 from Belarus in the first six months of this year. Many leave through third countries such as Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova due to long consular delays—sometimes up to 18 months.
- Ukraine – Around 258 left in the first half of the year, almost all through Moldova. About 40 Ukrainian Jews continue to leave via Moldova each month, despite no direct flights. Men aged 18–60 are still forbidden to leave, creating risks for our team, who themselves face the possibility of forced conscription when travelling. The Jewish Agency is preparing for a much larger wave—potentially up to 60,000—once the borders open, though no one really knows how many Jewish people remain.
- Muslim Countries – From four nations where we quietly work, 345 olim have come this year, and the numbers continue to grow.
- Latin America – About 134, mostly from Brazil and Argentina. Argentina’s numbers remain low overall.
- Europe – France is currently the largest contributor in Europe, especially during the summer months when families with children choose to leave between school years. We had 56 in July, and expect over 60 in August. In the UK, requests for help are also increasing—not usually financial, but for advice and direction.
Aliyah from Russia has certainly not stopped—it remains strong.
Testimony from Mariupol
One moving update comes from a lady originally from Mariupol, a city devastated early in the Ukraine war. She had made Aliyah with our help during Covid, but recently returned to visit relatives. She wrote to one of our drivers describing Mariupol as a dead city:
- Water is supplied only every other day and is unfit to drink.
- Electricity lasts just 5–7 hours.
- Buildings are outwardly repainted, but inside they remain ruined.
- Stores sell only poor-quality goods, though alcohol is plentiful.
- People are openly voicing discontent, no longer afraid.
She thanked us for taking her out of Mariupol when we did. Many Jews remain there still, hoping things will improve, but we continue to pray they make the decision to leave while it is possible.
Developments in Australia & New Zealand
Ezra is beginning to explore work in Australia and New Zealand. Antisemitism has sharply risen there in the past year.
- New Zealand: One Jewish woman wrote of her shock at how antisemitism has become normalised. Though she has lived there nearly 20 years, she now feels increasingly unsafe. She described government indifference, one-sided media coverage, and urged the community to write to MPs about antisemitism and support for Israel.
- Australia: Neo-Nazi groups have marched openly in Melbourne. Outside one central church, Muslims hand out Qur’ans while pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest weekly. Leandro, who recently visited on behalf of Ezra, reported that while some Christians warmly embrace our work, others question why Jews would leave a “safe” nation like Australia for Israel. Their support is often based on politics, not the eternal covenant of God. Still, there is a faithful remnant who understand, and the need for Ezra’s presence there is becoming clearer.
In September, the Australian Mayors’ Summit Against Antisemitism will take place, and Leandro is hoping to attend.
Closing Reflection
Since October 7th, Jewish News has reported a 170% rise in Aliyah inquiries compared to the previous year. Inquiries do not always lead to departure, but they reflect growing insecurity among Jewish communities.
Jeremiah 31:10 says:
“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’”
This verse reminds us of three things:
- The nations must first hear the Word of the Lord—and how will they hear unless we tell them?
- To “hear” in Hebrew also means to obey.
- The Word of the Lord we declare is this: the same God who scattered Israel will also gather them, and He calls the Gentile nations to take part in this work.
Thank you for the opportunity to share this update. Please continue to pray—for the Jewish people making Aliyah, for our teams working in difficult and dangerous situations, and for the nations to hear, obey, and join in God’s purposes for Israel.
PRAYER POINTS
- Praise God for the numbers continuing to make aliyah despite the situation in Israel.
- Praise God for the increase from several countries.
- Pray for Argentina – that aliyah will again rise from there.
- Pray for our rep in France, as she deals with the larger than normal aliyah this month.
- Pray for the team in Ukraine – for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing with the ongoing war situation.
- Pray for the Jewish people still in Ukraine that those who can leave will not keeping waiting for possible better times!
- Pray for a special protection on our military age men
- Pray for a fair and just peace in the war.
AUS/NZ Specific PRAYER POINTS
- We thank God for the opportunity to be here and pray that we will be useful instruments in God´s hands in Australia and New Zealand
- Contacts made in Australia and NZ, local contacts, individuals, opportunities to share our work and vision.
- More open doors especially in the Jewish community, we want them to know about Ezra, our vision, our heart and how we can help everyone from the community who wants to make Aliyah.
- That God will touch hearts especially among Christian congregations to support the Jewish community, be more receptive about what God teaches us, realize of the heart of the Father toward His people, partner with our work and vision. Involvement, local support,
- We pray for a strong Intercession Network in Australia and NZ.
- Please pray the eyes of Christians will be open to 1) See what God is doing, his heart for his people and Aliyah, but also see the need and blessing to be ALIGNED with his work.
- I am registered and wait-listed for an Australian Summit against Antisemitism, I pray the registration can be approved (there are many attending) as this will be a good opportunity to meet key/like-minded people aligned with our vision.
- Also pray for registration of Ezra in Australia/New Zealand – something Leandro will work on while there.
