Yaakov Wang has a dream. This young Chinese Jew was brought on aliyah last year by Shavei Israel, along with six other young men. They are all descendants of the millennia-old Jewish community of Kaifeng, China, which once numbered nearly 5,000 people but has since dwindled to just a few hundred.

After completing their studies in Hebrew at the ulpan of Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, Wang and his friends recently enrolled at Yeshivat HaMivtar, which is part of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin's Ohr Torah Institutions.

There, in a special program that was put together for them by Shavei Israel, they are immersing themselves in their Jewish heritage. Each day, they pore over the ancient texts of our people, delving into the history and faith that was previously out of their reach.

"I love learning Torah. It makes me feel connected to G-d," Wang says, adding, "This is what my ancestors hoped and prayed for - to be able to come home to Jerusalem and live a Jewish life."

Chinese Jews arrive at Ben Gurion Airport

Wang's dream is to continue studying and eventually to become ordained as a rabbi - the first Chinese rabbi in nearly 200 years!! - in order to serve his community.

For others in the program, such as Shi Heng, the opportunity to learn more about Judaism has strengthened their resolve to build new lives here in the Jewish state.

"Yes, we were born in China," he says. "But we wanted to change our future and that of our children. Our bodies may have been 'Made in China', but our souls belong to Israel."

But Yaakov Wang and Shi Heng need your help. Shavei Israel is urgently looking to raise funds to sponsor these budding young Chinese Jewish scholars. Costs such as tuition, room and board need to be covered, along with tutors, educational materials and other related expenses.

For just $25 a day, or $750 for a month, you can help a Chinese Jew to study Torah in Israel and reconnect with his roots. Please click here to visit the Support Us page on our website to make your tax-deductible donation.

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