Assi and his wife Nina were two Israeli teenagers who had escaped from the Syrian conflict zone. Assi was an Assyrian Jew who had been born and raised in Israel. He and his wife Nina were both active in Israeli politics and activism. Assi's political stance was primarily on behalf of his fellow Assyrian Jews, a marginalized minority in Israel, and Nina's political stance was generally pro-Palestinian.
The origin of their story can be traced back to the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. They both felt deeply affected by the violence and human rights violations taking place there. As they continued to watch the situation grow more dire, they realized that they needed to do something to help.
They began to raise funds for Assyrian Jews living in Syria who were unable to leave due to the conflict. However, as their funds dwindled and their requests grew, they decided to create their own organization to assist Syrian Jews who needed safe passage out of the country. This organization was called “Origin Story.”
“Origin Story” helped more than 100 families flee Syria through private funds, raising awareness of Assyrian Jews in Israeli society, and connecting them with refugee assistance organizations around the world. The couple continued their activism for Syrian Jews for years, raising funds and organizing various relief programs to assist Syrian Jews, despite their own personal difficulties.
This is Assi and Nina's story of courage, perseverance, and compassion, which has become a symbol of solidarity and empathy for the Assyrian Jews around the world.