DELIBERATELY DIVERSE | FRANCES SORROW
“Deliberately Diverse” represents the viewpoints of a group of Taylor friends who almost never entirely agree but are happy to share diverse opinions among themselves in our beloved community.
On Nov. 29, 1947, Jews around the world listened as the United Nations voted in favor of a Jewish state. After nearly 2,000 years, a miracle occurred, and thousands went to Israel.
The return of the Yemenite Jews was especially miraculous. They had been in Yemen for much more than 2,000 years. One of their clans’ traditions was a return with the Queen of Sheba when she left King Solomon’s court around 3,000 years ago.
Others were refugees from attacks by Assyrians and Babylonians around 2,600 years earlier.
Regardless, by the 20th century, they were isolated and poverty stricken.
Some had returned prior to Israeli independence. It was an 1,800mile walk. But in 1948 the Arab League still harassed Israel.
Their journey to Israel was named “On Wings of Eagles,” also known as “Operation Magic Carpet.”
The Yemenite Jews mostly lived in the mountains of Yemeni without knowledge of electricity, running water or cars. But they started the 500- to 700mile trek to the Red Sea. There, with war in Israel and no money, they waited.
Thousands poured in and a miracle was needed. It occurred in an unlikely collaboration.
An American Jewish organization called the Joint Distribution Committee raised the money and secured fuel in hostile locations. Israelis organized the camps. And Alaska Airlines provided planes, pilots, attendants and mechanics.
They had unique problems.
The Yemenis were afraid to enter a plane. The Israelis found a rabbi who told the terrified passengers that Isaiah 40:31 says, “They will soar on wings as eagles,” but there was still a delay.
The pilot then painted an eagle over the door, and the passengers piled in.
It was not a comfortable flight. It took nine hours and there were no bathroom facilities. Passengers were jammed in, although the Yemenis were so tiny three children could fit on one seat. And Israel had insufficient housing, so the newcomers lived in tent cities for years.
Between December 1948 and September 1950, Alaska Airlines carried nearly 50,000 Yemenite Jews from Yemen to Tel Aviv. The pilots had to fly an indirect route to avoid antiaircraft guns from neighboring states. Mechanics frequently had to jury-rig parts to keep planes flying.
In 18 months, Alaska Airlines would fly around 400 round trips. After all were rescued, Alaska Airline crews were asked why they took the risks. The contracted flight payments were not lucrative. They all said it was the humane thing to do.
The scope of Magic Carpet can hardly be covered here. I strongly recommend “Alaska Over Israel, The Men and Women Who Made It Fly and The Little Airline That Could,” by Darragh Metzger for a fascinating account.
Sorrow is a local historian and Taylor resident.
Adobe Stock photo
