| Just prior to and after WWII, the remnants of Europes Jewish communites came to Palestine/Israel because there were few other alternatives open to them. In many cases, these immigrants did not need to define their Jewishness. It was defined for them or thrust upon them by the Nazi beast or their agents. In cetain cases, these individuals were from mixed marriages or had even converted to Christianity, but they still came. They came because the Nazi beast classified them as Jews, regardless if they perceived of themselves as such or not, or if they were frum or completely assimiliated. But today, aliya is not flowing.There are options,less perceived reasons to leave prosperous, comfortable Jewish livesin the diaspora.Yet the demographic clock is ticking and that is a major factor in the back of the mind of Bielski. Now it is not the enemy categorising Jews needing refuge but the Jewish Agency needing numbers. |
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