Residents from Arab Countries Respond to Jewish-Made Film

A wave of calls has flooded the office of Yad L’Achim in recent weeks in response to an Arabic-language film released by its “Shorashim” department on the eve of Shavuos.

The video starred singer-poet Ziv Yechezkel, very well known in the Arab world, who turned to his viewers with the message: “One whose mother or grandmother is Jewish is himself a Jew… The Jewish people want to welcome you back with open arms.”

Yad L’Achim established Shorashim in the wake of appeals from families whose children married Arabs many years ago and who now have descendants assimilated into Arab society, some even unaware that they are Jews. The unit reaches out to these lost Jews and helps connect them with their roots. Activities are conducted in Arabic, their most fluent language.

The department is headed by “Emir” who responds to requests for help, verifies the subject’s status as Jew with government agencies, and sets up partners to teach lost Jews about their heritage.

Today, the department is working with no less than 150 Jews who have discovered their Judaism.

The extraordinary film was distributed by Yad L’Achim via the Arab social media and spread like wildfire, garnering tens of thousands of views. It generated dozens of calls from individuals whose forebearers assimilated into the Muslim world who wanted to know if they were Jewish.

Most of the queries came from Israeli Arabs or those living in Palestinian-controlled areas of Yehudah and Shomron, but some came from Arab countries, including Kurdistan, Jordan, Lebanon and from Yemen.

The caller from Yemen said: “We are a Jewish family that assimilated among Muslim Yemenites many years ago. Our family name is… we don’t know anything about Judaism, but we are Jews. Help us.”

The call from Jordan, on the other hand, was more forthright. “Is it possible for us to learn Torah? I want to learn about the holiday of Shavuos!” wrote “Salim”. When asked if his mother or grandmother was Jewish, he answered, “Yes! My mother’s mother…”

These days, the department is continuing to sift through full details of all those calling for help, to determine that they are Jews. Those whose Judaism has been verified join a virtual group where they learn more about their Jewish tradition and heritage.

Some of the 150 who have already made great strides are being sent sacred items and Jewish books.

Yad L’Achim reported that a sequel is being produced in response to the remarkable success of the first film.

Yossi Eliav, Director of Special Projects said, “we’re currently planning additional projects to reach lost Jews. We’re actively looking for partners who can share in this mission.”