A trip to Ardent Hebrew Academy in Eastern Nigeria.

One of my most exciting experiences is traveling to Abia State to observe Sabbath and witness how solar electricity is powering a synagogue and Hebrew learning effort for children. A week before Purim, I set out from my location in Ogwashi-Uku to visit Beth Chesed synagogue in Aba, the capital of the state, arriving there by 5:10 on Friday evening. I have been to the state a few times, but I have never been to this particular synagogue. However, I successfully navigated to the synagogue with the assistance of the provided instructions.

David, the chief chazan, welcomed me and took me to the visitor room, which was well prepared, arranged, and put together. With a sense of excitement and comfort, I inquired what time the erev Shabbat service commences, to which he responded that everything for Shabbat preparation is ready and prayers should begin a few minutes after the candle lighting. Indeed, everywhere around was immaculately clean and well-organized, ready to welcome Shabbat.

I wanted to see inside the synagogue since I was curious about it, and I was astonished to find the leader, who identified himself as Yahuderek, already inside. He had already dressed in a long robe for Shabbat and was meditating when I interrupted him with my presence. We greeted each other, and he extended his warmest welcome to me, stating that members of the Knesset would be arriving in a short while. The area was typically semi-urban, with some of their members living around the vicinity.

At the exact moment, some minutes before the time of Sabbath candle lighting, members gathered. The members sang various songs in both Hebrew and English to uplift their spirits as we prepared to welcome Shabbat. The congregation was full, with everyone, including the chazan, ready. As soon as the time arrived, one of the women lit the Sabbath candle and recited the blessing, receiving a melodic “amen” from the congregation. In a high-spirited mood, the Kabbalat Shabbat prayers echoed around the space as both congregations matched the energy of the leading chazan.

By the time we got to Aleinu, there seemed to be a complete blackout outside, but we had solar-powered bulbs lighting up the synagogue. Everyone’s faces were bright, looking cheerful as we went straight to kiddush. The challah was fantastic, baked by Yehudit, the wife of the leader, whom I had prayed next to and was just beginning to learn more about and her amazing contributions to the community.

Just imagine how difficult it was when the synagogue had no solar light as an alternative, especially since public electricity in the area has been unreliable for several years. I was responding to a question David asked me at the end of Brikat Hamazon about how I felt about the evening prayers. In response, it was an energetic and brightly lit evening service, thanks to the solar bulbs’ illumination. However, he informed me that the lights would go out by 10 PM, which caused the prayers to be conducted quickly and on time, followed by kiddush and the Shabbat meal; he mentioned that he would explain everything in detail after Shabbat.

Early in the morning, everyone woke up, freshened up, and got ready for Shabbat Shacharit, which began at 7. We prayed fervently until the Torah service, during which we read the parshat using a Khumash since there was no Sefer Torah. Then, the leader of the synagogue delivered a beautiful dvar Torah on the reading, concluding by encouraging everyone to uphold the words of the Torah as guidelines for living Jewishly, emphasizing that we should follow Judaism as a way of life rather than just a religion.

It was indeed another lively and vibrant Shabbat service for me, and there was something special about them in their deep connection with the Jewish tradition, spiritual consciousness, and vibrant young population. While the chazan led the prayers from a table at the left corner in front, the male congregation occupied the front row, with the women sitting at the rear, all facing the same direction. In the course of the prayers, a young boy recited some of the prayers seated next to the chazan, who I later found out was one of the students of the Hebrew class held in the community.

It is quite remarkable to observe the younger children’s participation in the prayer service procedures, as it serves to enhance their learning and development. During kiddush, Yahudereck recited the blessings over wine and bread. A young boy was responsible for carrying the tray and coordinating the distribution of the bread divided into small portions. By the time we chorused Brikat hamazon together, the younger children were the loudest, with their young, sharp voices that made the grace after the meal melodically tense when they sang along to some of the lines.

Finally came the moment I was waiting for, to meet with some of the young students of the mini Hebrew class hosted in the synagogue. After everyone had their Shabbat meal, the students got ready for their Hebrew learning by positioning themselves at one end of the synagogue. When David came in, he started asking them questions one after the other. The students responded accurately and perfectly.

Following my introduction, I joined the class and felt honored to invite the students to read something in Ivrit of my choosing. I requested Kamsi, one of the male students, to recite Psalm 145 in Hebrew, and he did so flawlessly. It was inspiring to learn that their desire to travel to Israel as adults and be able to communicate with the people there is one of their main motivations to learn Hebrew. They seek to learn not only how to read but also how to speak. Another student, Chimuanya, a female, recited Psalm 136 in Hebrew with outstanding confidence. My enthusiasm was visible as I observed the students, prompting me to request that they recite more common sentences in Hebrew. They all made an effort before their teacher concluded the session. I urged them to keep practicing.

Ardent Hebrew Academy, as it is called, has been David Yahuderek’s way of contributing to the development of Judaism, tracing back to 2019, about a year after his bar mitzvah. He was a student of Eben Cohen, who taught him how to read Hebrew. Cohen was teaching in the synagogue at that time. Throughout the years that followed, he has maintained the classes and has selflessly motivated younger teenagers to stay focused despite multiple challenges, the most significant of which is the lack of electricity.

When David was away at Abuja for a project, the public electricity system experienced a major setback due to vandalism. In addition to the absence of their teacher, students struggled to learn without a textbook. To compound the electricity challenge that persisted for several months, the country was thrown into fuel scarcity, causing the price of petrol to skyrocket. In sheer determination, the synagogue management stepped up to keep powering the Hebrew class with a generator, which is usually more active at night since students have to rest after school hours and help their parents at home before going to the synagogue for classes.

While the electricity issue remained unresolved for nearly 3 years, continuing to run the class became unfeasible, bringing it to the brink of shutting down until Kulanu intervened. They analyzed the ongoing challenge of the Hebrew class and intervened by providing solar electricity for the synagogue to support the class. The solar unit consists of panels, batteries, and control units. In response to this gesture, the students, the imot, and the members of the synagogue express their gratitude and satisfaction for the new improvements and developments in the synagogue made possible by Kulanu’s assistance. This development ultimately filled the gap in the community caused by a lack of public electricity for more than three years. For record-keeping purposes, the installation will be the first solar electrification project of its kind by Kulanu in the country aimed at supporting Hebrew learning.

With the availability of solar-powered electric ceiling fans, stuffy conditions due to the zinc structure of the building have been improved, allowing members to have better comfort. In addition to providing a Wi-Fi connection, Kulanu also made a remarkable effort to ensure an adequate number of chairs, tables, books, and needed materials for students, as well as a standard whiteboard for teaching with a projector.

Everything was running smoothly, except for the solar panel, which shuts off at 10:00 pm. The solar system is turned off at night and powered on in the morning due to insufficient batteries, which made it difficult to power the borehole for water generation. The solar has eight panels and only two batteries, which was not enough to make it function at maximum efficiency.

In another development, the Ardent Hebrew Academy class has been receiving renewed support and encouragement, all thanks to Margie Billian from the United States, whom David met online. She not only provides food for the students to eat but also food for the synagogue to use for the Shabbat observance. The children have been immensely inspired to continue attending studies on a consistent basis as a result of her monthly contributions.

Alongside her support for meals and Hebrew education, Margie Billian also took action to tackle the recent challenges related to the solar system. As the solar system had become unreliable, especially at night, because of inadequate batteries and panels, she successfully secured the funds needed for an urgent upgrade. Barely a month after my visit to the community, the upgrade has now been completed thanks to the funding she provided, and the synagogue enjoys reliable solar power for both learning and worship.

Usually, a solar power system, even where there is abundant sunshine, generates electricity based on several key factors: the number and size of solar panels, the capacity of the batteries, and the total load it is expected to carry. When Kulanu first funded the first phase of installation in 2024, the project served as a pilot to test the system’s viability for powering the synagogue and encouraging Hebrew learning. Now, with Margie’s generous additional support, the solar system has been successfully upgraded to full capacity, capable of meeting the synagogue’s daily and nighttime energy needs.

The initiative to leverage solar technology as an alternative has helped keep the community’s efforts together. There’s now more available time to study Hebrew in the evening. Two students, Kamsi and Ngozi, expressed their joy at the improvement in learning compared to the limited class sessions they previously used to have. Since the solar lighting upgrade, the increased availability of evening classes has significantly improved their learning pace and performance skills.

Kulanu’s provision of solar electrification is more than just providing energy—it is a long-term investment in the future growth and the sustainability of Judaism. Reliable electricity provides opportunities for improved Jewish learning, worship, and community development, particularly in areas with limited electricity. This solar intervention serves as a model for other remote areas or locations facing similar electricity issues, offering a practical and sustainable solution for practicing Judaism fully, safely, and comfortably.

The post Solar Electrification For Hebrew Learning & Worship first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

Since its inception, the National Youth Shabbat has evolved into the biggest religious and social event for Jewish youth throughout Nigeria. What started as a simple initiative to foster unity and spiritual growth has transformed into a yearly custom that fortifies community connections, promotes Torah study, and cultivates leadership among young Nigerian Jews. In the initial years, several editions took place within a single year, showcasing the passion and dedication of the community. However, in recent times, the event has been streamlined to ensure a more impactful experience.

Each edition of the National Youth Shabbat is hosted by a different Jewish community in Nigeria, with various states alternating to host participants from all over the country. The event officially begins on Friday with preparations for Shabbat, setting the stage for a deeply immersive experience filled with prayer, song, and study. As the sun sets, young men and women gather to usher in Shabbat together, engaging in heartfelt tefillot (prayers), lively discussions, and uplifting meals that foster a sense of unity and belonging. The celebrations continue throughout Shabbat day, culminating in a spiritual and social experience that extends until Sunday, allowing participants to reflect, network, and strengthen their connection to both their faith and their peers.

On February 28th, the long-awaited first national youth Shabbat of the year was hosted in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, in Southern Nigeria. About 6 months ago, in August 2024, the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in Abuja hosted the last edition. One of the remarkable high points of the entertaining outing was the official witnessing of the road to the Maccabi games as a Nigerian youth soccer team looks set to make their debut in the Israeli Olympics.

Unfortunately, in a last minute twist, the management of the Asaba Synagogue, the proposed host venue made some changes. They had planned a 3-in-1 event to celebrate their official return to Judaism, conduct a Synagogue inauguration, as well as hosting the youth Shabbat. Because of delays in logistics and construction for the new synagogue and its guest apartment, an alternative venue was arranged for hosting the national event.

As usual, Fridays are a very busy time for the Jewish people, and while the females were busy making challah and preparing Shabbat meals, visitors from across the country arrived in groups to grace the occasion. After the Shabbat candle was lit, there was an electrifying Kabbalat Shabbat conducted by representatives from Akwa Ibom, an oil rich town in Southern Nigeria. The erev Shabbat prayer was followed by kiddush, a sumptuous meal, and a musical brikat hamazon before retiring to bed. It is indeed a special Shabbat service with worshipers across the federation and also guests from the United States and Israel who make up part of the We Were Never Lost documentary crew headed by Rudy Rochman.

In the morning, the Shacharit prayers commenced with approximately a hundred participants. The atmosphere was elevated, filled with great enthusiasm and passionate response to the prayer emanating from the bimah. The Torah service was conducted by cantors from Anambra state. And as the Sefer Torah was brought out, the entire atmosphere erupted in a wave of joy and celebration, with dancing all around. The men took turns in carrying the Torah around. The women kissed the Torah with their prayer books as it was carried past. This continued for several minutes before the encased Torah scroll was finally placed on the bimah. The aliyot for the week of the parshah were distributed among various states, with a representative ascending the bimah to receive the aliyah.

The gathering was truly delightful for all, as people reunited and forged new friendships and connections during a Shabbat that brought together individuals from various corners of the globe. Menashe Obinna led a vibrant musical Havdallah to celebrate the conclusion of Shabbat, bringing joy to all present. The youth, still enveloped in the vibrant spirit of the Shabbat, sang and celebrated joyfully well into the night.

On Sunday morning, we went to a football field for a football match between the host and the national team that comprises players visiting from outside the state. The match ended in favour of the national team, with Moshe Agha scoring the only goal in the match to secure victory for the visiting side. The girls were spotted at the sides, some cheering the players and others dancing for fun. Thereafter, it was time for the youth general meeting that is held at the end of each national youth gathering, in which a proposed national youth seminar and membership registration topped the agendas of discussion. Earlier before that, gifts were presented by the foreign visitors to participants in groups, and then after the meeting, we had a mincha prayer before everyone bade each other goodbye, hoping to convene again in the next outing.

Be it as it may, taking a deep look at our history and as it slowly evolved—with massive “returning” witnessed in various spots dispersed apart—there was a need to activate a strong unity to forge ahead. And when things seemed to be drifting apart, the missing link in the whole equation was provided by these energetic youth whose enthusiasm to learn and embrace Judaism stands out in the Jewish demographics. The concept of a national Shabbat, youth inclusivity, and development strengthens the bond within the broader community, defining the spirit of Nigerian Jewry.

The post Shabbat, Youth, and Community: The Spirit of Nigerian Jewry first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

Ogwashiuku, located in the Aniocha local government area in Delta State, is home to a large community of the Igbo people in Delta State. It is an ancient Igbo town settlement of Igbo migrants who grew into a huge community of Igbo-speaking settlers. And just like it is typical in the eastern region, there are more concentrations of Shabbat keepers generally compared to other parts of the country. This was truly because not all of the Igbos accepted the religion enforced by the colonialists who introduced Christianity in the region. Upon understanding and learning how to read the Bible, many Igbos could clearly figure out a resemblance of some Igbo traditions inside the Torah, which the Christians call the Old Testament. This led up to the rise of Sabbatarian mission in the early 1960s.

With the dawn of independence and the rise of Christianity after the civil war, many continue to practice a form of Judaism, following the Torah as best they can while still believing in the new Christian testament. However, through interactions with some Israeli Jews and foreign Jewish visitors, and with the rise of the internet as a source of information, many Igbos are returning to mainstream Rabbinical Judaism.

The New Y’rushalahim Synagogue in Ogbeubu of Ogwashi-uku, just like many communities in Nigeria, used to be a messianic Jewish congregation but is now fully adhering to rabbinical Judaism. But they have been isolated for a long time and are therefore unknown to the rest of the Jews in Nigeria, except for those in Ughelli, Warri, and Asaba, which are located in other parts of the state.

However, things changed when the periodic youth Shabbat, which was hosted once in Ughelli, brought the Jews of Ogwash Uku to the spotlight. That weekend, youth stormed from all over the country to keep Shabbat together, interact with each other, study the Torah, and keep the bond of Jewish unity stronger.

This gathering happened in 2023, beginning on August 25, which was a Friday, when people arrived in large numbers, and ending on Sunday. It was a memorable Shabbat in the community, the first of its kind, to host Jews from different parts of Nigeria. Firstly, for the majority of the Ogwashiuku members who haven’t had the privilege of having a sefer Torah, there was one brought from Anambra State. The peak of the service was the Torah service, as the youth danced energetically as the Torah was brought out and taken to the bimah. There was screaming of joy from the elderly woman who appeared excited about the presence of the Torah in the service. The distribution of the Aliyot to several representatives from different states was another unique aspect. The excitement and joy of Shabbat continued till after the havdallah service, as the youth kept singing and playing the local musical drums into the late hours of the night. Earlier in the day, the leader of the synagogue, Onyishi Emmanuel, had an interactive session with many of the visitors, telling them about the history of the community.

Since this national Jewish gathering, Ogwashiuku has become popular among one of the active Jewish communities in the country. It has also led to an increase in the number of individuals from outside the state who are stepping up to support the idea of developing a typical Jewish settlement community in Ogwashiuku. As the new and improved interaction with the rest of the Nigerian Jewry strengthens, it serves as a bridge connecting others to Ogwashiuku and Ogwash to the rest of the Jewish world. Once a messianic stronghold, Ogwash has transformed into a hub of Rabbinical Judaism, characterized by a high enthusiasm for living a Jewish lifestyle.

The post Spotlight: The Jews of Ogwashiuku first appeared on African Jewish Voices.