The Jewish Agency for Israel paid tribute to its Christian partners on Tuesday in a special ceremony during the closing of its winter Board of Governors meeting in Jerusalem.

The Christians organizations that were singled out for their support and contribution to Israel were the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Ebenezer International, Ebenezer Hilfsfonds Deutschland, Ezra International, Christians for Israel, the Patmos Foundation, One Mission, and the Kim Clement Center.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky thanked the organizations for their essential roles in helping facilitate, both physically and financially, The Jewish Agency’s aliyah efforts in war-torn Ukraine.

“There is a long history of Christian involvement in our Aliyah operations and it is always appropriate to give thanks, but today, as Christian organizations help us save Jewish lives every day in Ukraine, it is particularly important to show our appreciation,” said Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency Natan Sharansky.

Pastor Hinrich Kaasmann, Director of Ebenezer Hilfsfonds Deutschland, said: “As the son of a German officer from the Ukraine, standing here in Jerusalem seventy years after Auschwitz carries special meaning for me. As the Prophet Isaiah said, ‘The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet’ (Isaiah 60:14). I am here today to bow before you.”

Since the start of the conflict in the Ukraine, Christian organizations stepped in to partner with The Jewish Agency to rescue Jews from the embattled region. The organizations helped facilitate transporting refugees through troubled areas, handling their personal effects, locating documents necessary for Aliyah, and responding to various other needs under trying circumstances.