Centuries ago, after King Solomon died, the Israelites divided their kingdom in two. The north became Israel with 10 tribes. The other two tribes in the south were called Judah.

In 722 BC, Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. While many of the 10 Northern tribes emigrated to Judah, some members of these tribes fled, were taken captive or deported to other lands. (See 2 Kings 17:5–6 and 1 Chronicles 5:26.)

These became known as the 10 “Lost Tribes.”

The 12 sons of Israel became the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God freed them from slavery in Egypt and brought them into the land – Israel – that He promised to their forefathers.

Where did they go?

Captives from Israel’s 10 tribes were taken north, south and east. Some who fled captivity went south into Egypt while others followed trade routes eastward into the Orient, some continuing their migration across the millennia.

Did they disappear? Did they assimilate into other societies? Were they persecuted and wiped out?

Because of persecution over the centuries in many of the countries in which they now live, many hid their Jewish heritage by practicing their faith in secret. Some are locally known to be Jewish – and suffer prejudice and persecution because of it – but have only recently become known to the rest of the world.

In the last 75 years or so, Jewish communities have become known in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, India, China and other surprising countries. Even more surprising to some is that members of the "Lost Tribes" living in these countries look like any other people native to these regions.

Even though the “Lost Tribes” are found, the name stuck because it says so much about their history.

What problems do the “Lost Tribes” face?

Poverty

Some settled in areas of developing nations where resources are scarce and poverty is high.

Superstition

Many people believe ridiculous superstitions about the Jewish people and ostracize and blame them for influencing bad fortune, illness and even death.

Discrimination

Prejudice against Jewish people in these regions results in them being denied equal opportunity to jobs, business, and access to aid.

Persecution

Persecution can involve everything from insults and spitting to assault, arson and murder in some of the remote places where members of the “Lost Tribes of Israel” live around the world.

No Access to the Gospel

When it comes to sharing the Gospel, Jewish people are often overlooked. But there is no other way for anyone, Jew or Gentile, to be saved. All Jewish communities – especially the “Lost Tribes” who have very little access to the Gospel – need to hear the Good News of their Messiah, Jesus.

Why help the “Lost Tribes”?

Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel to unreached Jewish communities even to the ends of the earth.

One of the keys that opens doors toward this is compassionately meeting physical needs. We wholeheartedly want to alleviate physical suffering in these poverty-stricken Jewish communities. At the same time, we recognize that the spiritual side of things is even more critical because the consequences last for eternity.

Medical, Dental and Eye Care

Many Jewish people from the “Lost Tribes of Israel” live in remote, rural places in Africa with little access to medical care. Some areas have no dentist within 300 miles. A simple illness, toothache or injury can easily become a life-threatening infection. Cataracts steal away eyesight every year, forcing already impoverished people to endure even more loss. Jewish Voice conducts Medical Outreaches that have treated an average of 13,000 people each – healing illness, reversing infection and restoring eyesight.

Clean Water Initiatives

In some of the places Jewish Voice goes, the same source of water that is used for bathing, doing laundry and watering animals is also used for acquiring drinking water. Waterborne illnesses are a constant problem. During our outreaches, Jewish Voice teaches short classes about the importance of clean water and hygiene and distributes long-lasting water filters to prevent disease.

Breaking Down Prejudice

Jewish Voice goes into rural areas where Jewish communities are present, but we minister to everyone who comes for help. In this way, the people of the region see that the Jewish people are the reason for this enormous blessing. It causes people to rethink their prejudices and elicits new respect for the Jewish people.

Sharing the Gospel

Through the Spiritual Care Ministry accompanying outreaches, Jewish Voice shares the Gospel, provides encouragement and offers compassionate prayer and counseling for the hurting. Over the years, thousands have accepted Jesus as their Messiah. When the short-term outreach ends and Jewish Voice and its volunteers go home, the ministry doesn’t stop. Partnering in-country congregations supported by Jewish Voice follow up with new Believers and help start new Messianic Jewish congregations to strengthen and establish these new Believers in their faith. Jewish Voice also provides discipleship and leadership training.

“People don’t care what you know until they know you care"

Want to do more?

Together, as Jewish and Christian Believers, we can proclaim the Gospel to all unreached Jewish people – fulfilling God's prophesy to reclaim His lost sheep. Donate today to show mercy to the Jewish people because of God's mercy shown to you. (See Romans 11:31)