IN A POWERFUL display of faith, cross-border solidarity, and strategic philanthropy, ChabadAid has enabled and carried out transformative infrastructure projects, mostly in northern Nigeria. As a Jewish non-profit based in Abuja, the country’s capital, ChabadAid focuses on improving the lives of its neighbors through key humanitarian projects. With more than 13 years of service and three branches across the country, it has delivered more than 67 programs, among them recently, borehole and solar light projects at the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue.
These synagogue projects, which guarantees clean drinking water and sustainable green energy, is anchoring long-term community development. It was funded by Rudy and Nathalie Mimoun in memory of her mom, Miriam, of blessed memory, as well as the fallen members of the Israeli Defense Forces. At the moment, access to clean water is reshaping daily life in Jikwoyi community, where the synagogue is located, as it has the capacity of directly serving 1,356 adults and 1,848 children in the surrounding neighborhood.
Prior to this intervention, Gihon Hebrew Synagogue faced significant water challenges, having no independent water source of its own and relying primarily on a nearby commercial borehole as well as collected rainwater. When the donor came on board a couple of years ago, the vision was to address this challenge by providing a reliable water supply for both the synagogue and its surrounding non-Jewish neighbors. However, following the initial installation, this goal was not fully realized due to limited pump capacity and inadequate storage facilities, resulting in water production that was sufficient only for the synagogue’s immediate needs. Relief eventually came through the timely intervention of the donors, who funded the installation of a new high-capacity “Sumo” pump and a larger storage tank, as well as some needed reimbursement. These upgrades restored the system to peak performance and now enable the synagogue to provide clean drinking water free of charge to neighbouring non-Jewish families in the host community.
This recent philanthropic intervention extends far beyond water infrastructure. In partnership with ChabadAid, the donors also funded a solar electrification project for the synagogue. At a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with rising energy costs and an unreliable power supply, sustaining water production through grid electricity or petrol-powered generators would present significant long-term challenges. Clean and renewable energy, particularly solar power, therefore offers the most practical and cost-effective alternative for ensuring sustainable operations. While the primary solar panels have already been delivered to a warm and celebratory reception by community members, plans are currently underway to provide the necessary battery storage and inverter control systems required for a fully integrated and uninterrupted solar power system.
The grand event, which took place on May 18th, 2026, brought together members of the synagogue, Chabad management, and the donors, accompanied by a group of Jewish women and young children. Addressing the congregation, Rabbi Uzan, the Chief Rabbi of Chabad in Nigeria, passionately spoke about the transformative impact of the projects as everyone in the street can now have access to free water, thanks to the Jewish people.
“God created this water about 6,000 years ago. When He created the world, He also created the water inside the ground. He gave us the opportunity to bring this water up to the surface and assist everyone. When we do this work, it is an amazing generosity in partnership with the creation of the world. So, every time we open the water, we have become partners with God in the creation of the world.”
The occasion was made even more special by the remarkable participation of Jewish women, whose presence brought energy, color, and unity to the gathering. The visiting Jewish women blended seamlessly with the women of the Gihon community, many of whom were dressed in coordinated blue-and-white attire that reflected both communal pride and solidarity. The visiting women were also easily identifiable in their branded volunteer T-shirts. Throughout the ceremony, the Gihon women played an active role in the day’s activities, welcoming and entertaining visitors through Hebrew songs, participating in the unveiling of the solar panels, and taking part in the commissioning of the public water point. Their enthusiasm and visible engagement helped transform the occasion into a vibrant celebration of faith, service, and community development.
The event also served as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for women’s empowerment among Jewish women in the synagogue as well as in other Jewish communities across Nigeria. The momentum behind this vision was clearly visible throughout the gathering, as Jewish women, community leaders, members, and organizers actively participated in the event. Although originally envisioned as the official launch of a comprehensive Women’s Empowerment Program, it was noted that the initiative’s structural framework is still being carefully aligned to ensure maximum impact. Once finalized, the program is expected to provide long-term skills development, resources, leadership opportunities, and greater economic independence for women within the Gihon community.
The latest developments at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue are part of a much larger story of growth, resilience, and innovation spanning more than three decades. Founded by a dedicated group of pioneering elders, the congregation has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most vibrant Jewish communities, distinguished by its strong youth population, active women’s participation, and commitment to communal unity. In recent years, Gihon has also attracted international attention for embracing modern technology in Jewish life through its pioneering “digital aliyah” initiative, a development explored in the recent African Jewish Voices feature, Aliyah in the Digital Age: The Gihon Hebrew Synagogue Model. Together, these achievements reflect a community that continues to honor its traditions while confidently embracing the opportunities of the future.
The Gihon congregation expressed immense gratitude through elder Kelvin Avraham, the synagogue’s chairman, who addressed the gathering with heartfelt thanks. He said, “On behalf of the entire Gihon community, we thank Chabad and all the visitors who joined us. Your generosity has not only brought water and light to our synagogue, but also hope to our entire neighborhood.”
This transformation is especially powerful because Gihon Synagogue once depended entirely on a neighboring borehole, paying for water with no independent source of its own. Today, thanks to ChabadAid, this once-dependent synagogue has become a beacon of generosity, now providing free clean water to the very community that once helped sustain it.