Tents of Mercy / Ohalei Rachamim
Kiryat Yam, Israel

The aliya of the prophets "...I will say to the North, 'Give them up!' and to the South, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring back my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth." (Is.43:6).

For two thousand years, the Jewish people were without a land of their own. Hunted, persecuted and humiliated around the world, we lived for the day when we would return home. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 finally opened the doors for hundreds of thousands of war-ravaged Jews, survivors from concentration camps and the horrors of the pogroms, to come back to their land.

We believe that this Aliya, or return of the Jews to Israel, is central to the purposes of God. Those who seek His heart now have an unprecedented opportunity not only to help bring Jewish exiles home, but to participate in their healing and restoration to God after centuries of persecution.
The challenge for today "Your affliction is incurable, your wound is severe, but I will restore you, and heal you of all your wounds," says the Lord. (Jer.30:12,18).

Since 1989, close to 700.000 Soviet Jews have come to Israel, leaving countries torn by economic, social and political crisis. They come looking for a chance to live and work with dignity. For many, the first years are difficult. Although subsidized Hebrew language classes and small living stipends are provided by the Israeli Government, these are frequently not enough to help a family get on its feet.

Immigrants look for work only to find that their professional training and experience are not recognized. Many take menial jobs to support their families, sacrificing progress in learning Hebrew, thereby losing more lucrative employment opportunities. They are caught in cycle of low-paying jobs with few opportunities for advancement. Language as well as cultural barriers leave many Russians feeling that they are strangers in their new home. A large number drift into a life of alienation, confusion, and loneliness, relegated to the margins of Israeli life.

Our response
"I will restore the tents of Jacob and have mercy on his dwelling places..." (Jer.30:18)
Meeting Real Needs The goal of Ohalei Rachamim, or Tents of Mercy, is to be an oasis of refuge, encouragement, and spiritual discovery for the returning exiles.

TENTS OF MERCY

An oasis of God's mercy for Israel's returning exiles. We are caught up in one of God's great dramas: the return of Israel's exiled people. After nearly 20 centuries we are coming home. Our generation has witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust followed by the miraculous rebirth of Israel. The next step according to the Hebrew prophets is the spiritual revival of the nation. The dry bones of Ezekiel 37 must receive God's Spirit and recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as our promised Messiah King.
This has already begun!

Tents of Mercy is an Oasis in the desert for those emerging from generations of crushing oppression in the Diaspora. We are a growing community of Yeshua's followers from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Israel. Since opening our doors in 1995, we have been privileged to assist, thousands of new immigrants. God is fulfilling His promise to "restore the tents of Jacob and have mercy on his dwelling places" (Jeremiah 30:18). Once new in the land themselves, our Russian-speaking staff gives personal assistance to the latest arrivals. We need your help. Israel is poised to rediscover her most famous Son, Yeshua. But this will not happen without prolonged, passionate prayer by God’s servants, Jew and Gentile, united in faith.

Israel is also on the verge of a huge wave of new immigrants fleeing poverty and resurgent anti-Semitism. But we cannot absorb them without substantial resources. Please pray about becoming a part of the tents of mercy.

Humanitarian Aid - God commands us to feed the hungry and cover the naked. Our warehouse supplies food and clothing to individuals and distribution centers.
Employment - Is the pressing need of every immigrant family. Tents of Mercy Industries establishes businesses to meet this need.
Training - Each member of the community is gifted and called by God. Therefore, we equip people for service through a bible training school and practical experience.
Congregation - In Israel's wilderness days God's presence of glory. Our longing is to worship and intercede before him until His glory is restored to Israel.
The heart of all these ministries is a living community meeting from "house to house".
Sending Forth - Yeshua commissioned the first Messianic Jews to reach the nations in His name. We are sending teams "Out of Zion" to spur aliyah and plant congregations in nations such as Kazakstan, Kyrgyzia and Uzbekistan.
Absorption - Into Israeli society confronts each new immigrant with massive adjustments. Tents of Mercy assists with housing, transportation and guidance.

Opening its doors in December, 1995, Ohalei Rachamim extends the mercy of God in many practical ways to new immigrants who come seeking help.
   • Clothing and Personal Items
   • Food Bank
   • Friendship and Support

We provide practical advice and counsel on housing, employment and other aspects of Israeli life. We also offer friendship and support. Every month, several hundred people come through our doors. More and more return on a regular basis, because here they are treated with love and respect.

A Living Spiritual Community - At the heart of Tents of Mercy is living spiritual community. As in the Book of Acts, Israeli believers live to proclaim Yeshua as resurrected Messiah and share what they have with those in need. For nearly two Thousand years, Yeshua has been separated from his own Jewish people.

Part of our calling is to rediscover an indigenous expression of faith in Messiah, a way of worship and family life that reconnects Israel with her true Shepherd. At Tents of Mercy, new immigrants are excited and grateful to discover the Jewish roots of the New Covenant.

Eitan Shishkoff
Tents of Mercy / Ohalei Rachamim

The Tents of Mercy is one of ministries Gratefully Grafted supports. Join others who are reaching out with their gifts and offerings to reach the lost sheep of Israel. Send your tax-deductable donation to the address below.