The Role of Jewish Philanthropy in African Jewish Communities.
As Judaism continues to spread in Africa recently, one thing that stands out and can never be overemphasized is the role played by philanthropy. Africa continues to face significant challenges with poverty, as a substantial number of Africans survive on less than 1 dollar per day. Additionally, many governments across the continent are not taking sufficient action to improve the living conditions of their citizens. Therefore, engaging in philanthropic endeavors has proven to be a crucial step in improving the lives of numerous Africans, including Jewish populations and their diverse communities.
With a lot being achieved in this regard and excellent outcomes as expected in many cases, many Jewish organizations continue embarking on philanthropic work. Around the African continent, many Israeli and American-based organizations are involved in work and philanthropy on one side in a form of cooperative responsibility. Now even among African Jews, some indigenous organizations are also getting involved as much as they can. From agricultural grants to educational empowerment and also in the area of power generation and health, these communities have received funding that has enabled them to have improved lives and has given them better Jewish experiences.
We have witnessed a new initiative focused on food security spreading throughout sub-Saharan Africa, as this issue has become an increasing concern. Among the numerous philanthropic initiatives significantly impacting Jewish communities across Africa, the GELFAND AGRICULTURAL GRANT stands out. It is not merely about helping communities rediscover their purpose; these communities are shifting from being consumers to becoming producers, cultivating their crops and raising their animals. The organization is led by Mark Gelfand, a Jewish philanthropist, who is utilizing the Sub-Saharan Jewish Alliance (SAJA) to connect with Jewish communities, offering them grants to support agricultural initiatives aimed at ensuring food security for both the communities and the individual families within them.
As of now, the grant has enabled these communities to purchase, own, and operate farmlands that are currently contributing to their welfare. The grant required the communities to submit proposals that outline their plans for using the funds. Once approved, the communities are empowered to implement their projects according to plan, which range from sheep and goat rearing, as we have seen in Tanzania, to megafish ponds running in Cote d’Ivoire, poultry farming in Cameroon, and tomato farms in Uganda.
In under 30 months since SAJA’s establishment, approximately 30 communities have received funding across more than 9 member countries. Most of the communities that received funding are sharing their success stories, challenges, and ongoing endeavors. In Nigeria, some communities that received the grant have acquired hectares of land because they previously lacked sufficient land for farming purposes. They appear prepared to implement their roadmap of developing a strong agricultural venture that can provide employment opportunities for some community members.
The benefits of these initiatives are multifaceted, offering boundless opportunities and shared responsibilities. Communities are able to produce their own food, reducing reliance on external sources and increasing their productivity as well as communal value. These projects also promote a sense of community and cooperation, as members work together to implement and achieve their agricultural objectives.
In East Africa, these agricultural projects are already yielding results in self-sufficiency. Take Zimbabwe, for example; the Lemba community, who still maintain the tradition of slaughtering a ram for Pesach, was able to provide from their flocks. In fact, they sourced virtually all Seder items from their fields and pastures. According to Modreck Maeresera, this shift toward self-sufficiency is a powerful symbol of freedom from hunger and poverty that has bedeviled many Jewish communities for a long time, and one can say that the aim of the Gelfand Grant is being achieved.
Agricultural projects are currently underway in approximately five Lemba Jewish communities and aim to address food insecurity. The results have been promising, as each community has achieved a major milestone in establishing and sustaining large farms that are producing abundantly. Alongside the implementation of the solar-powered irrigation method due to the drought conditions in Zimbabwe, we have also seen a greenhouse farm project. For quite some years now, agricultural endeavors in Jewish communities have been thriving in crop production, poultry, and animal rearing.
Under the leadership of Modreck, the Harare Lemba Synagogue took a significant step forward by distributing potatoes to its member families. The move was a small but crucial step toward ensuring food availability in homes within the Jewish community. The addition of potatoes as a staple food will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the well-being and livelihoods of community members. As a visionary community leader, he has played a pivotal role in driving this initiative forward. His vision for a self-sufficient community is inspiring, and the successful harvest and distribution of potatoes are a testament to his leadership.
We are witnessing the unfolding of stories about how the Gelfand Grant is positively transforming conditions and assisting numerous African Jewish communities in charting their path. Communities that were previously confined by limitations and perceived impossibilities are now experiencing some improvement. It’s the dawn of a new era from Tanzania to Zimbabwe and all the way across Cameroon up to the Ivory Coast, as hopes of a future of abundance look practically feasible. Based on all available evidence, facts, and projections from different ongoing projects, this grant is positioning communities to take up active responsibilities aimed at ensuring sustained food availability.
Kulanu:
Shifting focus from food security, another organization that has made a significant impact on the lives of African Jews is Kulanu. As a non-profit, Kulanu has played a significant role in aiding Jewish communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Even though it supports mini agricultural projects, it has, through various initiatives and collaborations, empowered communities in the area of education, technology, and religious observance. In addition to economic development, they have made massive efforts to help communities sell their handmade crafts internationally and to provide numerous donations of Judaica to those in need.
Their organization has donated numerous siddurim to several synagogues, helping to strengthen religious observance and communal prayer. Understanding the value of digital inclusion, Kulanu has assisted various synagogues in connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi, therefore providing internet access for learning, communication, global engagements, and other uses. To facilitate virtual community gatherings, online Torah study, and simpler coordination among far-off Jewish communities, they have also sent phones and laptops. They have also funded traveling teachers visiting far-off locations to deliver Jewish learning, lead services, and offer mentoring—so bridging the distance separating remote communities from the larger Jewish community.
In the area of education, Kulanu contributed immensely in supporting Hadassah Primary School, a Jewish school in Uganda that is a visible example of interfaith harmony, bringing together students and teachers from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish backgrounds. The same thing is applicable to Semie Kakungulu School in Nabugoye, Mbale. For women’s and girls’ empowerment, with Kulanu support, the Abayudaya Women’s Association (AWA) has successfully distributed 90 goats to women in eight Abayudaya villages in Uganda, promoting economic sustainability and improving livelihoods. Another remarkable impact of Kulanu is their support for Namutumba for Girls (NfG), a social enterprise affiliated with Days for Girls. NfG’s aim is to provide reusable sanitary pad kits, promote women’s health, and empower girls through education.
For several years now, different communities in various parts of Africa and beyond have continued to receive cash donations to observe Jewish festivals. This gesture is coming at the right time, as complaints about hardship have been on the rise. From these donations, most times called festival grants, communities purchase their supplies to fulfill the halachic requirement of the hagim.
In a recent event, it sponsored matzah baking for 22 Jewish communities in Uganda, a Pesach program aimed at empowering communities to celebrate the festival with self-sufficiency and dignity. The program includes initiatives such as matzah baking and the production of kosher wine for Passover, which provide essential items for the Seder and promote community empowerment. The availability of matzot and wine allowed beneficiaries to celebrate two nights of Seder, a possibility further enhanced by the cash support included in the package for each participating community.
Another important contributor to the well-being of African Jewish communities is SJUA (Sephardi Jews in Uganda Assistance), a philanthropic Jewish organization supporting the growth and identity of Uganda’s Sephardi Jewish populations. Under the direction of a committed group of overseas volunteers from all around the globe, SJUA has assisted Jewish communities in both addressing broader needs and building and maintaining Jewish life. Their efforts cover access to healthcare, educational support, and creative agricultural projects enhancing daily living. SJUA also offers vital religious materials, such as siddurim, Judaica, and teacher support, therefore fostering a strong and long-lasting Jewish presence in Uganda.
In February, just a couple of months ago, KKSY (Kahal Kadosh She’erit Yisrael), a key affiliated congregation of SJUA, inaugurated a magnificent new synagogue in Nasenyi community, Mbale. This vibrant Jewish community, located in Nasenyi Village, received the needed financial support to replace its former synagogue with a modern structure powered by solar electricity. Alongside the mikveh built in 2023 by SJUA, the community was also granted 6 hectares of farmland designated for food crop production for communal use. Discussions are currently underway to initiate the construction of apartment units for members and guests to stay overnight, reflecting a true partnership and commitment to support.
Before I mention the last organization for this article, let me mention an individual, MARGIE BILLIAN, a philanthropic Jewish woman from the United States who has been making a significant impact through her generous donations and dedicated support. One of her notable recent contributions includes sponsoring the upgrade of a solar energy system powering Jewish Hebrew learning and strengthening Judaism in Beit Chesed, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The existing solar energy system, which powered the Ardent Hebrew Academy—a Hebrew class for children—was previously inefficient during nighttime hours. Margie’s support enabled a much-needed upgrade, ensuring a stable and reliable source of light that now sustains evening learning and other essential activities. She also supported a solar project in a synagogue in northern Cameroon, helping to enhance community life and strengthen Jewish education in areas with limited access to electricity.
In Ghana, Margie has also extended financial support for personal assistance, demonstrating her commitment to helping Jews in Africa. It is worth mentioning that she sends a monthly donation to support a feeding program for children attending the Hebrew learning class in eastern Nigeria. This initiative ensures that the children have access to nutritious food, enabling them to focus on their studies. Margie’s philanthropic efforts are driven by her desire to honor her late father, Dr. Sternly Klein. Her selfless acts demonstrate her dedication to supporting African Jewish communities, whether it’s an individual or a community. By donating a portion of her wages, Margie is making a tangible difference in the lives of many.
While we have highlighted many diasporan Jewish individuals and foundations working fervently to improve the lives of Jews in Africa, it is also important to mention a few indigenous African Jewish foundations that provide various life-changing opportunities. NILI CENTRE, a daycare that provides care and social inclusion for vulnerable children from all backgrounds, operates in Cameroon. Nili stands for “Netsar Israël Lo Yishaker,” which translates to “The God of Israel never lies.”
Founded by Letemo Nkosgo Claudine, a young Jewish woman of Cameroonian origin, the Nili Daycare Center is an inspiring example of grassroots Jewish philanthropy in Africa. The center, a nongovernmental organization, was created to offer care, protection, and social inclusion for vulnerable children from diverse backgrounds. Since its launch just a few months ago, the center that began supporting around five children, offering them a safe space for learning, growth, and dignity, now has more children under its care. Claudine shared that the mission of Nili is simple but powerful: to ensure that no child is left behind, giving every child the opportunity to flourish regardless of their circumstances.
In conclusion, the significance of philanthropy within African Jewish communities is profound. From international organizations like Kulanu and SJUA to individual donors such as Margie Billian and indigenous efforts like the Nili Daycare Center, a web of compassion and commitment is being woven across the continent. These initiatives are reshaping Jewish life both spiritually and materially while also creating pathways of opportunity, identity, and hope. Through education, technology, religious support, and community development, philanthropy empowers African Jews to thrive and confidently define their role within the global Jewish narrative.
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