05/29/2026
Shomrim Laboker Celebrates the Anniversaries of Operations Moses, Joshua, and Solomon
This Shabbat, Congregation Shomrim Laboker proudly joins Jewish communities around the world in commemorating the remarkable anniversaries of Operations Moses, Joshua, and Solomon—three of the most inspiring rescue missions in modern Jewish history.
The story of Ethiopian Jewry is one of extraordinary faith, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to Eretz Yisrael. For countless generations, Ethiopian Jewish parents told their children that one day, somehow, they would return to their ancestral homeland.
Through centuries of isolation and hardship, they never abandoned that dream.
That dream began to be fulfilled in dramatic fashion during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Between November 1984 and January 1985, Operation Moses brought 6,364 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in a daring airlift organized by the Jewish Agency. Shortly thereafter, Operation Joshua, arranged with the assistance of then Vice President George H. W. Bush, transported thousands more Ethiopian Jews to freedom. By the completion of these efforts, approximately 16,000 Ethiopian Jews had reached Israel.
The greatest rescue mission was yet to come.
In May of 1991, as civil war engulfed Ethiopia, more than 14,000 Jews found themselves trapped in Addis Ababa. With the city under siege and danger mounting by the hour, the Government of Israel launched Operation Solomon.
What followed was nothing short of miraculous. Over a span of just 33 hours, Israeli Air Force and El Al aircraft flew continuously between Israel and Ethiopia, transporting 14,310 Ethiopian Jewish men, women, and children to safety in Eretz Yisrael. Eight babies were born during the operation. One El Al jumbo jet set a world record by carrying 1,087 passengers—including a newborn infant—on a single flight.
These operations stand among the greatest examples of Jewish unity and mutual responsibility in modern times. They embodied the Torah's commandment:
"וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ" “Love your fellow as yourself.”
This powerful message is reflected in this week's Parshas Naso. The Torah describes the dedication of the Mishkan, where each tribal leader brought identical offerings. The Torah could have listed the gifts once and stated that all twelve leaders brought the same offerings. Instead, it repeats the entire list twelve separate times. Why?
Our sages explain that every offering was precious before Hashem. Although the gifts were identical, each one represented the unique love, devotion, and commitment of the individual who brought it. Every person mattered.The same lesson emerges from Birkas Kohanim:
"יְבָרֶכְךָ ה' וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ"
The blessing is written in the singular. Hashem blesses each Jew individually. Every Jewish soul is precious. Every Jewish life is of infinite value.
This is precisely what Operations Moses, Joshua, and Solomon demonstrated. Israel undertook tremendous risks because every single Jew mattered. Every child, every parent, every grandparent was precious and irreplaceable.
We are immensely proud of our Ethiopian Jewish brothers and sisters. We are proud of the families they have built, the children they have raised, their devotion to Judaism, and their profound love for the State of Israel.
We are equally proud that Shomrim Laboker has had the privilege for many years to host and celebrate the anniversary of Operation Solomon, standing shoulder to shoulder with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters as they commemorate their achievements, milestones, and contributions to our community.
May the spirit of unity, love, and mutual responsibility that inspired these historic rescues continue to guide and strengthen us. In the merit of our unconditional love for one another and our commitment to Jewish unity, may Hashem bless us all with good health, happiness, prosperity, and abundant nachas from our children and grandchildren.
May He bless the State of Israel with peace and security, and may we soon merit the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our days.
Amen.
