On December 26, 2013, 40 Beni Menashe (Sons of Menashe) from India fulfilled a lifelong dream and made aliyah to Israel. The organization Israel Returns, headed by Michael Freund, is responsible for facilitating the arrival of members of the lost tribe of Menashe to return to the Holy Land and fulfill a biblical prophecy.

Freund said that “The Bnei Menashe never forgot who they are, never forgot where they came from, and they never forgot of where they dreamed of one day returning.” For the last 2,700 years, members of the Bnei Menashe have yearned to return to Israel. Recently, the Israeli government began approving the return of approximately 7,000 remaining Bnei Menashe.

Commenting on the success of Israel Returns and the organizations ability to bring these Bnei Menashe home, Freund stated that he is “Grateful to God and our partners our there – Jews and Christians – who stand with us, who pray for us, and who help facilitate this miracle.”