THE UBIQUITY of plastic pollution has precipitated a global environmental crisis. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 2,000 garbage trucks’ worth of plastic waste are discharged into oceans, rivers, and lakes every day. This alarming phenomenon—often overlooked by key stakeholders—continues to accelerate ecosystem degradation, endanger aquatic life, and undermine human livelihoods. Each year, an estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems, destroying habitats and disrupting natural processes.

Though often treated as a separate issue, plastic pollution deeply intertwines with other environmental crises, such as climate change and resource depletion. As we recognize the vast scale of this problem, we see the need for both systemic and grassroots responses. This is precisely why, on March 22, 2026, we witnessed the second annual Bedikat HaMayim, a global marine conservation initiative by Repair the Sea (Tikkun Hayam), a Florida-based nonprofit organization.

Bedikat HaMayim (Search the Water) is a powerful adaptation of the traditional Bedikat Chametz, a Passover command to purge leaven from homes. In this modern ritual, volunteer groups from several Jewish communities gather globally to cleanse bodies of water from plastic pollutants and other potential sources of aquatic pollution. This initiative, rooted in Jewish values, calls us to align spiritual practice with environmental stewardship.

When we incorporate the mission of Bedikat HaMayim into Jewish life, we align our spiritual values with environmental responsibility. We become part of a global movement rooted in care, repair, and restoration. It is Tikkun Olam in action—especially when we recognize that over 70% of the earth is covered by water. Bedikat HaMayim keeps the challenges facing our water bodies and marine life present in our collective consciousness, while offering ongoing opportunities for meaningful action grounded in Jewish principles.

In my view, marine conservation should matter to every Jew—perhaps as much as Tzedakah and Gemilut Hasadim. Water is not only a life force; it is foundational in the Torah—from the account of creation in Bereshit to the parting of the Red Sea. It is a sacred resource that sustains all life. Without it, humanity cannot exist.

I was once unaware of the deep connection between marine conservation, environmental stewardship, and the core tenets of my beliefs and practices as a Jew. That changed in 2024, when I was contacted by Avraham Ben Avraham to write about the debut of Reverse Tashlich in West Africa. Since then, I have closely followed the work of Tikkun HaYam (Repair the Sea), and I have come to see that caring for our waters is not separate from our faith—it is an expression of it.

The second annual Bedikat HaMayim, which took place on that Sunday, garnered volunteers and participants worldwide engaged in a pre-Pesach marine cleanup, and the impact was profound. The Kwania Jewish community in northern Uganda, participating for the first time, gathered on the shores of Lake Kwania, collecting 13 sacks of plastic waste that littered the pathway to the nearby lake. Alongside them, the Save the Nile Foundation on Buvuma Island rescued two nets of plastic bottles, adding to its growing stock waiting to be sorted and shipped off the island to recycling plants. The Elburgon Jewish community in Kenya uprooted some aquatic weeds from the Njane dam, a source of irrigation water for the mountain settlements, water for animals, and fish. In Nigeria, players from Maccabi FC Nigeria, along with students from the Gihon Eden Academy, carried out garbage removal from around Jabi Lake in the Abuja city center.

At the Atlantic coast in Southern Nigeria, we saw cleanup actions from the student team of Brachot Yeshiva, which recently renamed its computer lab after Tikkun Hayam’s Rabbi Ed Rosenthal. Additionally, in Ghana, volunteers organized a shoreline cleanup along the coast of Accra, while in Cameroon, a team from Beth Goshen gathered at the shores of the Yaoundé municipal lake, removing plastic buildup along its shores. In Uganda, besides Kwania and the Buvuma teams, a group in Mbale from the Namanyonyi community also contributed, clearing debris from the banks of Namatala River. Beyond Africa, volunteers also participated from America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, making the event a truly worldwide movement gaining traction with every stride.

Although Bedikat HaMayim made its debut just last year, it has already sparked a wave of participation across Africa, from West to East to Central Africa. This second annual event is quickly becoming a major global initiative of Repair the Sea. Its origins are rooted in volunteers who, after participating in Reverse Tashlich, called for more frequent cleanups rather than limiting them to just one annual event, specifically the primary pre-Rosh Hashanah Reverse Tashlich marine cleanup.

As a result, a sustained momentum has emerged: volunteers who once joined Reverse Tashlich are now embracing Bedikat HaMayim as a complementary, year-round practice. This evolution is fostering a deeper commitment to marine stewardship. By doing more throughout the year, we build a lasting global effort that is essential to tackling the growing plastic crisis, which threatens marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

The post Bedikat HaMayim: A Pre-Pesach Marine Cleanup Attracts Volunteers Across Africa. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

The values and beliefs instilled in children during their early years tend to stick with them, often time influencing their perspectives and decisions later in life. A popular saying in the proverbs states that if you teach a child the right thing to do, those lessons will stick with them as they grow. In the case of pioneering marine conservation in early education curriculum, it is of utmost importance to ensure that the core values of our joint efforts of marine conservation are incorporated into the early years of learning.

No child could be any happier than the students of Brachot Yeshiva on Wednesday, 18th March 2026, as the Brachot Yeshiva Primary and Secondary School officially renamed their computer lab after Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, the founder of Tikkun Hayam (Repair the Sea). Their joy could be felt, and their smiles were infectious as they chanted, “Welcome to Rabbi Ed Rosenthal Computer Lab, Shalom,” shortly after the official naming ceremony. The school, with over a hundred students, happens to be the only Jewish-owned school in the oil-rich state, located a few kilometers from Beth Ha’arachman Hebrew Community.

The naming of the computer lab, in relation to a man whose mission is fixated on the environmental stewardship of repairing the sea and water bodies, is what caught my interest. Since 2024, when Reverse Tashlich debuted in West Africa, I have followed subsequent cleanups and monitored its spread as more teams around the world embraced the concepts, which these young Brachot Yeshiva students have been part of from the onset. In 2025, the Bedikat Hamayim pre-Pesach global cleanup was introduced, which also saw a team from the school in action alongside members of Beth Ha’arachman.

However, this year, the school registered for the Bedikat HaMayim as an independent cleanup team due to increased interest in marine conservation principles, following two active years of taking part in the global cleanup exercise. Previously, only a handful of students participated alongside adults from the Jewish community, while the majority of students only heard stories about the periodic cleanup outings that took place along the Atlantic Ocean at the popular Ibeno Beach in Southern Nigeria. This year, a large group of students stormed the beachfront—a trip that lasted more than 90 minutes, setting off from the school for a coastal excursion, a lecture, and the cleanup exercise.

The events begun about three days ago with the naming of the computer lab after Rabbi Ed. The act was done in good faith so that the children would feel connected to the global community of environmental stewards that are working to make the ocean and the water bodies less polluted by debris, especially plastics. The computer lab, with just three sets of desktop computers serving over a hundred students, only facilitated lessons such as basic computer education, like typing and other simple computer application design programs. By upgrading the lab and making it internet-connected, students can see and observe the global spread of the marine conservation activities that they are embarking upon in their local surroundings. In addition to sourcing more information about marine conservation, they would be connected to this shared mission with the rest of the teams that are part of Repairing the World.

Joining the rest of the world to mark the second annual edition of Bedikat Hamayim, the students received a lecture given by Emmanuel Yerimyahu, leader of the Beth Ha’arachman community. Upon arriving at the beachfront, numbering over 60 students, the majority of them were astonished for the first time ever to see the mighty waters of the Atlantic stretching endlessly into the horizon, as far as the eyes could see. After taking a group photo in front of the ocean, there was a moment of playing and laughter as they dipped their feet into the shallow waves sweeping along the coastline. Thereafter, they were seated under a canopy and received lectures about the ocean and the dangers of plastics if allowed to enter the water. The lessons focused on the negative outcomes of things that plastics can do to aquatic life, as well as to humans in the long run, and why removing and preventing plastic waste from entering the water bodies saves and makes the world a better place.

Then, when it was time for action, a team of 12 students, including two adult supervisors, went into action, picking up plastic bottles that littered the sand in front of the ocean. The team were dressed in reflectors, wore helmets to protect themselves from the sun, and used nose masks while gathering about 500 bottles by the end of the day. The team transported the collected plastics and the empty soda bottles they had used as refreshments during the lectures back to the temporary plastic dump site in the Shehechayanu yard of the Beth Ha’arachman community.

Reactions from Benjamin Ben Avraham, one of the teachers in Brachot Yeshiva, captured the excitement in the students at the end of the day. He emphasized that the day, coinciding with World Water Day on March 22nd, drove home the message and heightened the significance of water safety, urging humans to actively participate in increasing marine conservation activities. Furthermore, concerning the Wi-Fi 4G device donation by the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation during the naming of the Brachot Yeshiva computer lab, Benjamin made some additional appeal.

“Avraham has been a long-time member of the community and a strong supporter of the school, and we are grateful for the upgrade of the computer lab to being internet-connected. However, we appeal for some additional computer systems to cater to more students, as well as a work upgrade in the existing ones to make them browsing-compatible, as what we have now lacks that feature. Assistance will also be needed in the area of browsing data and petrol to run the lab, which is currently powered by a petrol generator, as there is no electricity connection in the school.”‘

In conclusion, this series of events not only honored the legacy of Rabbi Ed Rosenthal but also ignited a spark in the students, connecting them to a global movement of ocean stewardship. From the dedication of the computer lab to the hands-on cleanup at Ibeno Beach, these young minds have experienced firsthand the power of action and the importance of protecting our environment. With continued support and dedication, they are not just learning—they are leading the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The post Brachot Yeshiva Renames Its Computer Lab After Tikkun Hayam’s Rabbi Ed Rosenthal. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

[Building strong Jewish foundations through dedicated learning, tradition, and community]

THE absence of a standard Jewish school, which would facilitate a comprehensive education rooted in Jewish values, has been felt for decades by the Nigerian Jewish communities. Many Jewish children attend secular schools where they face assimilation, segregation, and other challenges arising from their beliefs. As Judaism continues to thrive in Nigeria, with estimates of practicing Jews ranging between 6,000 and 10,000 and over 100 synagogues across 10 states and four regions, the need for children to attain standard Jewish education has only intensified.

Gihon Eden Academy, founded by Shlomo Yaakov, came just in time to bridge the gap and ensure access to Jewish education in Nigeria. The Eden Academy, currently in its pilot phase, is on track to be one of the first Jewish schools in the country, built upon years of Torah teaching. It is projected that by 2035, it will have grown into an accredited educational institution serving both primary and secondary school children.

According to its roadmap, the school will provide comprehensive Jewish education with a curriculum that combines secular subjects like math, science, history, and literature and covers all the basic education requirements. Compared to other existing Jewish-owned schools, this one focuses on teaching Jewish studies, such as the Torah, Talmud, and Hebrew language, aiming to provide students with a strong foundation in Jewish heritage, traditions, and values, while also preparing them for academic success and personal growth.

Gihon Eden Academy, co-tutored by Immanuel Ben Immanuel and Fidelia Agoha, began as a Hebrew class aimed at children and new members of the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in Abuja, particularly those transitioning back to Judaism from Christianity. People warmly welcomed the classes as a laudable initiative that promoted effortless Hebrew language learning. It has since transformed from merely a Hebrew class, as the curriculum has broadened to encompass additional Jewish studies. The academy offers a beginner’s syllabus aimed at familiarizing students with the fundamental beliefs, practices, and traditions of the Jewish faith. Assisting students in cultivating a deeper understanding and respect for the Jewish community.

The syllabus covers a range of topics, which includes an introduction to Judaism, comprising topics like what is Judaism, its core beliefs, and its historical context. Another topic in the curriculum is the study of Jewish Scriptures like the Torah, Tanakh, and Rabbinic literature. The curriculum then discusses the study of key Jewish holidays, such as the High Holidays, Shabbat, Pesach, and other major and minor festivals. Going deeper, the curriculum covers Jewish practices like prayer, Jewish halachot, and life cycle events. It also has Jewish Life and Identity, which includes culture, tradition, and values. The curriculum also expanded to include the Holocaust, helping children understand the history and significance of the Holocaust, which is one of the most significant events in the history of Jews.

Just as it is widely accepted that life comprises both old and new, the academy’s curriculum includes a course on the study of modern Judaism. In this course, students learn about the various movements within Judaism, its diverse expressions, and the different sects making up global Judaism’s composition. In addition, the course outline has lessons on the Jewish calendar, conversion, and the State of Israel. Generally, the syllabus is designed to inspire and educate both beginners and practicing Jews looking to deepen their knowledge in their practice of Judaism.

Before Gihon Eden Academy came into existence, learning the Hebrew language as well as other Jewish studies used to be very challenging due to limited guidance and availability of organized resources that would enhance and facilitate a seamless Jewish learning experience. Jewish learning was only attainable through individual effort. In fact, only the majority of people who were called up to pray, known as chazans, led the prayers and mastered how to read Ivrit. Many others who did not have siddurim found it difficult to keep up with the pace of the learning or continued practice to become perfect.

Shlomo Yaakov, who was born into Judaism, experienced firsthand the early struggles and complexities of practicing Judaism in a country where Judaism is not recognized; he struggled to obtain Jewish education as a child. However, sometime around 2015, he had the opportunity to study under Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the Chief Rabbi of the Abayudaya community in Uganda. This experience of learning directly under a rabbi for the first time was significant, especially since there was no rabbi in his home country of Nigeria. No doubt, the experience was a turning point for him, and therefore the Gihon Academy was founded to change the narrative and make Jewish learning accessible to his community and others.

The model of the academy operates as both a physical and online class, making it possible for interested students from anywhere in Nigeria to obtain quality Jewish education. The online classes are usually accessible via WhatsApp and scheduled Zoom meetings with recorded classes that are available upon request. Its WhatsApp community is made up of different WhatsApp lecture groups tailored to the needs of students at all levels. Students who enrolled in the online classes are provided with mentorship programs, including counselling and seminars that are designed to ensure that students understand what they are taught and learn to apply it in their daily lives.

The offline and online models provide children with the opportunity to learn both at the synagogue and from their homes or while on the go. At the initial stage, the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue usually hosts these classes every Sunday morning after Shacharit prayers. Some of the students, including mothers who reside far away, would sleep over in the synagogue guest room to attend morning classes before returning home to their families. Additionally, classes are held on one day during the week; however, due to the recent increase in transportation expenses following the government’s removal of petroleum subsidies, online technology has to be leveraged.

Today, students who are members of the WhatsApp community have the opportunity to interact with their teachers through voice chat and text. This setup offers flexibility, helping them to ask questions on issues ranging from lectures to real-life experiences. It also helps them get answers to their questions in real time, giving other students the ability to contribute to questions asked and learn from others’ experiences. At the conclusion of each week of online lessons, students meet in the synagogue on Shabbat during the break period to engage in one-on-one discussions with their teachers, enhancing both their online and in-person learning experiences.

Currently, there are 60 students enrolled in the Gihon Eden Academy. The synagogue’s physical classes have 40 students, while 20 from other parts of Abuja are in the virtual program. Since its inception, about six sets of students have successfully graduated, and most of them celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as students.

Peniel Immanuel is one of the most recent; he celebrated his bar mitzvah on November the 6th in the synagogue. He also emerged as the overall top winner during a quiz competition. A public event held during Simchat Torah turned into a competitive three-way race at the final rounds, ultimately earning him a school-term scholarship from several sponsors. One would often wonder the reason the students of the Gihon Eden Academy perform exceptionally well in Jewish educational competitions and quizzes in the country. The answer lies in their strong foundation in Jewish education and the incorporation of entertaining methods into the learning process.

As far back as 2019, during the inaugural National Jewish Youth seminar, held in the eastern part of the country, the Gihon children in attendance wowed the gathering with their group performance. And in a recent outing, during the 2025 Camp Sarah program held in Abuja, Nigeria, the young stars took center stage again. Participants during a quiz competition included children from the host synagogue at Tikvat Synagogue and children from synagogues across the country in attendance. Once again, the children from Gihon Eden Academy excelled due to their deep understanding of Jewish education and readiness, which they attribute to their unique curriculum and class-learning style.

To support the academy’s internet connectivity, it received a donation of an MTN 4G router for internet connectivity from the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation (ABAF). The internet helps to get the synagogue WIFI-connected, making it possible for members with a smartphone to connect to the internet. It has also helped to power laptops that tutors use to teach students during live sessions in weekday classes. The ABA Foundation recently replaced a smaller and worn-out whiteboard in the shul that had been in use for over a decade. It has been a very useful addition for both the synagogue and for teaching and learning purposes. Instructors can write short lectures or a Torah quiz on the board before Shabbat, and students will learn or discuss it during Shabbat classes since writing on Shabbat is not allowed.

In addition, the ABAF provides data bundles periodically to support Zoom learning in the academy. However, apart from home support coming from the synagogue management, the academy has also attracted the interest of Elder Yatov Ben Israel. After his return from South Africa, where he went for an important meeting with the Maccabi South African Union, he visited the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue before the end of November. There, he donated several books on behalf of the IPJD (Initiative for Progressive Judaism Development), which were handed over to Shlomo to enrich the library of the Gihon Eden Academy. Yatov, although a member of another synagogue in Abuja, is a longtime friend of Gihon and supports them as a sister synagogue.

Support of this nature continues to help position the academy as a Torah-learning hub, not just for younger children but also for those returning to Judaism and others interested in learning Jewish halachot and the Hebrew language. Think of a Torah-learning hub as a digital version of a rabbi, a substitute at this point, bridging the gap of a rabbi’s absence in the country, ready to teach, motivate, uplift and build the community in the ways of the Torah. The beginners’ classes of the academy are suitable for new returnees who often struggle to adapt in their early stages due to their former Christian-related practices, which they have known since childhood.

Feedback from several students highlights the impact of months of dedicated learning. Sarah, 13, shared, “I am thrilled to be part of this academy, which has helped me learn how to live as an observant Jew and made me proud to tell my friends in school about Judaism.” Kayim noted that the lessons have deepened his understanding of what it means to be a Jew while also improving his Hebrew reading skills. Yehuda, one of the returnees, said the classes have greatly helped his children grow in their knowledge of Judaism. In his words: “Since my children started taking classes with Gihon Eden Academy, they have learned a lot. And one significant thing is that the classes are free. I am glad they are part of it, and I commend the tutors for their sacrifices.”

Currently, the academy relies entirely on donations to sustain its mission of providing Torah-based education throughout each term. Through the dedicated efforts of its management and tutors—who serve not on payroll but as committed volunteers—the academy functions typically like a formal school. It includes all essential academic components: quizzes, assignments, presentations, projects, and examinations that assess each student’s progress and promote them to higher classes.

In traditional Jewish education, children are gradually introduced to core literature like the Mishnah, the Talmud, and subsequently the Shulchan Aruch, building a foundation for lifelong learning and observant Jewish living. But this important foundation has often been missing in Nigeria, where there has long been a lack of indigenous rabbis and structured Torah schools. Gihon Eden Academy is specifically addressing this exact need. The academy is planting the seeds for a future generation of African Jews who may one day become scholars, teachers, and rabbis, who would strengthen and shape the future of the country’s Jewry for decades to come.

The post Where Young Jews Grow: Inside Nigeria’s Flourishing Torah Academy. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

I must say that reading William F.S. Miles book, Jews of Nigeria: An Afro-Judaic Odyssey, published by Markus Wiener Publishers in 2012, was an engaging experience. It felt like I was sitting with a wonderful storyteller, full of humor but yet paying excellent attention to details.

The book, covered in brown and with the face of a young boy putting on a tefillin, ushered me into a world filled with warmth, quests, and cultural intrigue. It felt like I was stepping into a vibrant room that was pulsating with ancient traditions, modern findings, and a deep yearning for discovery, all intertwined in very captivating way.

The book explores the unique phenomenon of rabbinical Judaism’s emergence in Nigeria, particularly among Igbo people, and is a valuable addition to studies on African Judaism and intercultural religious dynamics.

What grabbed me was Miles’s ability to convey the raw passion and spiritual hunger of these Igbo communities he encountered, whom he affectionately termed ‘Jubos’ journeying into rabbinic Judaism. The term “Jubos,” an acronym derived by combining the “Jewish” and “Igbo,” or rather “Judaism” and ” the Igbos,” was employed consistently
throughout the book. Similarly, in this review, I will employ the same terminology to align with the author.

He tells about the Jubos adopting a religion where Igbo traditions intersect with rabbinical Judaism. It feels like they’re reconnecting with ingrained ancestral echoes that intimately resonate with their souls. Miles captured the scene beautifully with his firsthand account of heartfelt Hanukkah celebrations and a touching bar mitzvah he attended in Abuja. One could sense their sincerity and longing to live Jewishly in Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape, where Islam and Christianity have strong presences. It speaks volumes about faith being a remarkably personal journey.

The author touchingly conveyed the devotion of the Jubos. I loved the story he told about a heartfelt Sabbath dinner where challah tastes sweeter when shared with a genuine community. The Jubos’ journey into Judaism is not an isolated phenomenon. It is a testament to the fluid and seeking nature of spiritual identity. And Williams Miles captured this quest with a warmth that feels like sitting with an old friend sharing cherished stories.

Miles captured the deep passion the Jubos exhibited in their spiritual journey and their desire to connect or reconnect with
what they view as ancient Hebrew roots. I must say that the cultural parallels they highlighted between certain Igbo
traditions and Jewish customs felt like finding unexpected harmonies in a musical composition. That, I couldn’t help but wonder, is the possibility of ancient linkages and the shared human narratives vibrating subtly across continents.

However, the author stressed that, according to his research on the Judaization of contemporary Igbos, theology trumps
genealogy. This implies that the Igbo Jews did not first and foremost perceive themselves as a lost tribe of ancient Israel,
leading them to learn and practice rabbinical Judaism. Instead, they embraced rabbinical Judaism as part of their quest for
spiritual truth, and only then did they recognize similarities between Igbo traditions and Jewish practices. His candid
expression of the idea was a brilliant observation that I had never considered before.

Undeniably, Miles’ notion of them being “the world’s first Internet Jews” strikes me as both apt and touching. Their innovation and adaptability in faith expression, as well as their resourcefulness in navigating digital spaces to learn and practice Judaism in Nigeria, where traditional infrastructure is very limited, are clear for all to see. He gave one such example as the Jubos conducting prayers with a photocopied siddur, a digital Torah. I agree with his stance on this; I know one of the first people to learn to read and pray in Hebrew, Eben Cohen. Cohen reportedly used the internet to master reading and praying in Hebrew, a skill he eventually passed to many others, who in turn taught others.

The author highlighted the struggle of these Nigerian communities who are fervently pursuing Judaism in a country
that is dominated by Islam and Christianity. In Nigeria, it is estimated that between 6,000 and 10,000 Igbo people have
adopted mainstream Judaism, yet the number feels like a pebble at the beachfront compared to the overall population of
the country. Issues such as assimilation, internal discord, and recognition struggles from both Nigeria and Israel confront these Jewish communities. He asserts that rabbinic authorities in Israel do not recognize the Igbo Jewish community (Jubos), thereby undermining their legitimacy and acceptance within the global Jewish community. He cited an example whereby a Jubos can only travel to Israel on pilgrimage if he passes as a Christian tourist because he is not recognized by the Nigerian and Israeli governments as a Jew. Furthermore, there are no subsidies from the Nigerian government available to Jewish pilgrim seekers because Judaism is not a religion recognized by the Nigerian Government.

Miles also noted an Israeli embassy official in Abuja who suggested hesitation about recognizing the Jubos. I was saddened by his submission. He feared potential mass conversions and immigration claims due to the economic crisis in the country.

The book also highlighted the challenge of not having an indigenous resident rabbi. It is a real issue that lingers, 13 years after the publication date of the book ‘Jews of Nigeria’ in 2012. There is, as yet, no resident Jewish rabbi in the entirety of West Africa.

As Miles noted in his book, “The geographic calculations become dizzying, the conclusion identical: when you’re a Jew
in Nigeria, and you need a rabbi, you’ve got a long way to go.
“He stirred contemplation on the very meaning of Jewishness, personal identity, and belonging that left me reflective. He
gave a firsthand account of his experience with the Jubos in their home and synagogues, which he described as “a
profoundly moving experience.”

Reading Miles’ account of his first encounter with the Jubos filled me with pride as a Jubo. He spoke about
how it affected his spiritual life. “The Jubos make me feel ashamed as a Jew; sometimes, this feeling even
motivates me to go to shul.” They live more Jewishly than most Jews do in America. References to the
Torah and Jewish ethics are sprinkled in routine conversations.”

He raised questions about Jewish identity at large and the Jubos’ legitimacy. “But are they really Jews? Who, after all, is a Jew?” I was moved by his submission in the case of the Jubos. He artfully balanced scholarly insight with stories of his
personal encounter with the Jubos.”

Orthopraxy, I submit in this case, ought to trump orthodoxy. In other words, the fact that the individuals you will encounter in this book live as Jews—practicing, worshiping, studying, gathering, and, yes, disputing as such—is infinitely more important than whether or not they descend from some long-lost tribe of Israel. “They are vastly more Jewish than Western Europeans or North Americans, whose DNA may bear traces of Jewish ancestry but whose lived experience, individual sense of identity, religious practice, and group identification are anything but.”

I was reminded of the book Black Zion while reading Miles’ Jews of Nigeria. Miles’ unique insight into the spiritual journey of the Jubos underscores the universal themes of identity and spiritual belonging, adding a fresh perspective to the global Jewish mosaic.

However, I observed that the book focused almost exclusively on the Igbo communities (Jubos), whereas judging from the title (Jews of Nigeria), a reader will be quick to assume that only the Igbo tribes represent the Jewish demographics composition in the country. Secondly, the event described in the book take place largely in Abuja, the northern part of the country, and most of the interviews conducted are from guests who attended a bar mitzvah in the capital. These observations prompted me to consider other communities beyond the author’s personal experience, particularly the non-Igbo tribes not included in the book. The Igbo communities are not the only Jewish people in Nigeria. In the southernmost part of the country, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State have thriving Jewish communities. This narrowing of focus raises questions about the book’s ability to fully represent the nationwide diversity required to justify the book title.

Nonetheless, Miles’ storytelling skills captivated me. I couldn’t lift my eyes off the book and couldn’t help but crave more. I would truly adore seeing Miles expand on this narrative in a future edition by weaving broader interactions with Nigeria’s diverse Jewish communities. Definitely, he should create a more inclusive term instead of “Jubos, ” unless he plans to rename the book “The Igbo Jews of Nigeria. ” I’m hopeful for continued explorations. It would make for a wonderful read.

The post Book Review: Inside the Jews of Nigeria first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

On Sunday, 28th September 2025, the management and team members of the Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria gathered at the Jabi Recreational Park, situated in the center of Abuja. They assembled to engage in the 8th annual Reverse Tashlich exercise, a globally recognized event taking place simultaneously in many countries. The Reverse Tashlich is an environmental conservation activity rooted in Jewish tradition, aimed at removing marine debris, including plastic waste, from the vicinity of our water bodies. This initiative represents a reversal from the ancient tashlich rituals observed during the High Holidays, as participants focus on cleaning the environment rather than casting bread into the water.

This would be the second time that the Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria takes part in the activity. The first time was in 2024, when the Reverse Tashlich first made its debut in West Africa. The team got to the Jabi lakefront, the most popular place with a big body of water in the arid capital city, early to start their volunteer work. While waiting for the Reverse Tashlich cleanup to start, some of the team members used the opportunity of being near a body of water to carry out the Rosh Hashanah Tashlich rituals and the annulment of vows at a corner of the park.

Prior to the commencement of the exercise, participants were provided with safety vests, nylon bags to gather plastic waste, latex hand gloves, and nose masks and were instructed on safe practices during the exercise. Exactly at about 11:45 AM, the team comprising the management crew, football players, and members of the fans club started to clean up areas littered with all sorts of solid waste. Thereafter, they converged at the lakefront after an extensive cleaning of some part of the park. Some aquatic weeds were pulled out of the water, and plastic bottles found along the shoreline were collected.

Plastic trash and plant debris have continued to be a problem, building up over time and polluting the lake heavily. And sadly, the lake is in a much worse situation than it was last year when we conducted the cleanup. There were dead fish floating in the lake, and the lake smelled bad. The team could only perform a little bit of cleaning because they didn’t have the right tools and had to use sticks instead of rakes to pull some floating plastic bottles and nylon out of the lake.

Organizing outdoor events like this comes with a lot of commitment to plan and bring everyone on board. Sholomo Ben Yakov, the technical director of the club, who also doubles as the founder and lead instructor of the Gihon Eden Hebrew class, played an important role in organizing the cleanup activity, showing leadership both on and off the pitch as we cleaned up the park. “Today is a wonderful day for me as we are fulfilling this year’s Reverse Tashlich obligations. I want to thank the members of the Maccabi football club who made it a duty to participate this year. Last year, we visited Jabi Lake in Abuja for the cleaning exercise, and today we have gathered here to do it again. It is part of giving back to the society and making the world a better place.”

Every day, over one hundred people visit Jabi Recreational Park, which serves as both an event center and a tourist attraction site. The activities of visitors and tourists eventually result in the littering of the park with plastic waste that can directly find its way into the lake, posing a serious environmental threat. Yet it appears that the park management is doing little to combat the pollution of the park and lake.

After one hour of cleaning, the team had to trek fifteen minutes to the designated dump collection site located outside the park for proper disposal of the waste. There happens to be no refuse dump or bin within the park. After that, Engineer Jator Abido provided some refreshments and then addressed the team.

“Today we, the members of the Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria and members of IPJD, gathered here to clean this body of water in commemoration of reverse Tashlich. We started this program last year, and we are here today again to fulfill the Halacha of ensuring that the water body is clean. We know that in Africa, malaria is a serious sickness, and it will be worthy to note that dirty water increases the malaria epidemic. I thank the members of the Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria, everyone who participated, and those of us who supported the event, especially Abraham Ben Abraham, for his immeasurable support in helping us enroll for the event.”

Speaking during the event, Abah Shaul, a member of Gihon Hebrew Synagogue who was taking part in the cleanup for the first time, lauded the initiative and praised the players of the Maccabi football club for championing the worldwide Repair the Sea organization’s Jewish marine conservation exercise in Nigeria.

“I am happy that I participated in this great environmental cleanup volunteer event. I want to thank the benefactor who ensured that the event happened. I thank Maccabi FC of Nigeria and everyone who participated in this year’s Reverse Tashlich. The exercise is a wonderful experience for me in repairing the world and likewise for everyone who is here to volunteer. I want to encourage the footballers who are hoping to someday feature and compete in the Maccabi Games in Israel, and I wish them well.”

Since its formation, the club has been in the spotlight, including making cover page headlines in newspapers in Israel. Back here at home, it has displayed its Jewish status, and recently we saw the Maccabi FC Nigeria take part in Camp Sarah 2025 activities. The assistant captain of the team, Shimon Yakov, acknowledged the management after the reverse Tashlich cleanup.

“As you can see, the members of the team came out in their numbers to participate in the event. Although the members here today are some percentage of our numbers because some of us have traveled to their various states to participate in Yom Kippur in their various synagogues across Nigeria. I also want to thank the team management for everything they are doing for us, for their efforts in providing financial and moral support. I’m looking forward to playing someday in Israel for Nigeria.”

During the reflection section at the close of the event, Yoshi Ben Obadiah from the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in Abuja expressed his enthusiasm for the Reverse Tashlich initiative, describing it as a meaningful and unifying experience for Nigerian Jews. He explained that the community first participated in the program in 2024, and it has since become an important avenue for bonding and giving back to society through environmental service. Yoshi noted with pride that the number of participants has continued to grow, reflecting the community’s commitment to this global Jewish environmental movement. He commended the organizers for sustaining the effort, saying that their dedication has inspired members to return each year to help clean local water bodies. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that next year’s exercise would be even more impactful.

As the 8th annual Reverse Tashlich concludes, participation has reached a remarkable milestone, with about 307 teams registered from 30 countries across six continents joining this global Jewish environmental movement. This year’s edition welcomed Kenya and Cameroon as first-time participants, expanding the initiative’s reach across Africa. Among other dedicated African teams was the Beth Harachman Jewish Community in southern Nigeria, who were in action at the Ibeno Atlantic Ocean beachfront, joined by students from Brachot Yeshiva Primary and Secondary School, who continued their commitment after debuting in last year’s cleanup. The Repair the Sea movement continues to inspire Jewish communities worldwide to unite in the shared mission of protecting oceans and waterways— a calling that beautifully intertwines environmental stewardship with profound spiritual responsibility.

The post Beyond the Pitch: Maccabi FCN Cleans Jabi Lake for Reverse Tashlich 2025 first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

All Photo Credit: Camp Sarah

The third edition of Camp Sarah, hosted once more in Abuja, Nigeria, was truly an astounding achievement. For 3 years and still going strong, it resembles fine wine that grows richer with each passing day. This year’s camp commenced on August 11 and concluded on August 22, 2025. On a sunny Monday morning, filled with enthusiasm and a desire for meaningful Jewish learning and adventure, the campers, volunteers, and camp management convened at Tikvat Israel Synagogue in Kubwa Abuja to go live with the third Jewish summer camp outing in the country. 

Since Jewish camping arrived in Nigeria with the opening of camp Sarah in 2023, the camp has consistently improved its activities and programs, as well as its leadership and management strategies. This unique camp for younger children and teenagers is known for providing a blend of Jewish learning, morals, and fun for its campers. Over the years, it has increased its capacity to conducively host over 70 children and young adults, which is quite a leap, increasing its capacity by over fifty percent within three years.

This year, more than 78 children and young adults aged 4–16 registered across four Edots (age groups) for the August camping, with over 80 percent being returning participants from the first and second camps. Six international volunteers attended the camp, fostering diversity, building friendships across borders, and promoting unity and alignment with the global Jewish community. A counselor-in-training (CIT) program was introduced for the first time at Camp Sarah, catering to 14 youths aged 17–19. The CITs resided at Tikvat Israel, engaging in a program that emphasized leadership skills, preparing them to become future counselors.

Each day of camp was centered on a core Jewish value that guided the activities and learning. The ten themes emphasized throughout the program were:

1. Shalom – Peace
2. Ve’ahavta et re’echa camocha – Love your neighbor as yourself
3. Ahdut – Unity
4. Shmirat halashon – Guarding one’s speech (mindfulness in the use of words)
5. Shabbat
6. Emunah – Faith
7. Tsedakah – Charity/Justice
8. Teshuva – Repentance/Responsiveness
9. Tikkun Olam – Repairing the world
10. Hakarat hatov – Gratitude/Recognizing the good

Daily Camp Structure:
The daily schedule was carefully organized to reflect and reinforce these values through a balanced mix of spiritual, educational, and recreational activities:

• Morning Tefillah – A joyous prayer service enhanced by music
• Yahadut – Jewish learning sessions held within each edah (age group)
• Group Activities – Collaborative programs conducted by edah
• Lunch

• Elective Activities – Campers selected from a range of options including music, dance, arts and crafts, sports, games, yoga, creative writing, and tallit making

Closing Circle – The entire camp community gathered together, with groups often presenting songs, plays, or other creative work developed during the day

Before the start of the annual summer camp, the camp management organized a leadership training for counselors, which took place from August 6 to August 8, 2025, aimed at enhancing the quality of programs. The counselors hailed from various states across Nigeria. The host venue, Tikvat Israel Synagogue, showcased a fresh appearance during the camping. In a conversation with Kadmiel, one of the counselors, he revealed that Camp Sarah sponsored the repainting of the synagogue and installed synthetic grass on the floors to create a safe and welcoming environment for the campers.

This year’s camp featured a standout moment with the introduction of a football match, bringing a fresh element to the program. This innovative introduction offered a special enjoyment out of the camp walls as Maccabi FC Nigeria takes part in Camp Sarah 2025 activities. Solomon ben Yakov, the coordinator of the Eden Class at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue stated that the camping was a giant success.

A football match was incorporated into the camping activities, resulting in a highly enjoyable experience for the campers. This will be the first time a football match is introduced to the camping activities. The football match between Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria and Legacy FC enriched the camping experience, with the best part being a 2:1 historic victory.

The camp was characterized by its international flavor, comprising both Africans and non-Africans. Six international volunteers took part in the program, which promoted diversity. Rabbi Gershom Sizomu from Uganda was invited to attend the camp, and his presence significantly influenced the campers, who freely shared their experiences during the event. In a phone conversation with Debbie Isser, the director of Camp Sarah, she highlighted the significant benefits of having a rabbi at the camp, particularly in the realm of teaching.

“We were very fortunate to have Rabbi Gershom Sizomu from the Ugandan Jewish community serve as our resident rabbi, where he taught Yahadut sessions to all of the Edot, building on daily themes. He is a wonderful teacher, and his presence was a real highlight for everyone.”

Rabbi Gershom, the first ordained rabbi in Uganda, is currently the spiritual leader at the Stern Synagogue in Mbale, Eastern Uganda. Gershom enjoyed the children’s camp so much that he would like to establish a branch of Camp Sarah in his community in Uganda and promote counselor exchanges with Nigeria. During his farewell speech on the closing day, he affirmed, “We are working on it, and pending funding, we plan to hold a camp in Uganda in January.”

Kaim Ben Mikael, a camper and student of the Eden Hebrew Class, shared his experiences learning from the rabbi. Thereafter, he spoke about personal improvement after he was inducted into the Counselor in Training (CIT) category, among many others.

“We learned about Kashrut and Tikun Olam from Rabbi Gershom. His presence boosted our spiritual life throughout the camp. This year’s Camp Sarah was a wonderful experience for me as a Counsellor in Training. I learned about love, impacting Torah values on young ones so that they will grow to love the Torah, and being kind and helping young people. I learned teamwork, among other things, so as to achieve success. Camp Sarah 2025 was fun and impactful to me.” 

In addition to its core programs, Camp Sarah also provides opportunities for leadership development and training. The camp’s counselors-in-training program, for example, allows young adults to develop their leadership skills and gain hands-on experience in counseling and mentoring. The dedication and hard work of Camp Sarah’s organizers, counselors, and volunteers contribute to its success. Their commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment has made a lasting impact on the campers. One camper, Sarah bat Sarah, noted, “Camp Sarah is more than just a summer camp—it’s a community, a family.” Camp Sarah’s programs will continue to play a vital role in shaping the lives of Jewish youth in Nigeria. With its unique blend of Jewish learning, morals, and fun, Camp Sarah has established itself as an exemplary model of innovative and Jewish education.

Each camping expedition presents its own unique characteristics, whether they are completely new or simply modifications from earlier editions. This year, we can observe that, alongside changes in learning instruction patterns, there has been an increase in the number of participants and a facelift of the venue. Other outstanding features worth mentioning: besides the members of the Maccabi Football Club making a debut in the camp activities, there was a group hiking up a rocky mountain standing over 600 feet, a distance of more than a 45-minute walk from the Synagogue to the mountain peak. Furthermore, the last day in camp was designated a cultural day, which saw campers display different cultural attire, showing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Nigeria, and traditional music was played to mark the end of another Jewish campaign.

In conclusion, the summer camp was a resounding success; it was marked by innovation, growth, and a deep commitment to Jewish values and principles. As the program continues to expand and improve, it is clear that Camp Sarah will remain a beloved and transformative experience for generations of Jewish youth to come. Camp Sarah, with its strong leadership, dedicated staff, and passionate community, is poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come. Bridging borders, widening horizons, and blending Jewish learning with leisure.

The post Camp Sarah 2025: A Third Summer of Jewish Learning and Fun. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

In a groundbreaking initiative, Bedikat HaMayim, a pioneering project launched by the Repair the Sea organization (Tikkun HaYam), made its debut across the globe. This year will be the first time the organization attempts to conduct a second category of global marine cleanup exercise in the period leading up to Passover. Not surprisingly, as usual, the concept, an entirely new line of thought, invokes the Passover spirit, motivating the willingness to participate in environmental conservation activities.

Like the Reverse Tashlich, an annual cleanup initiative that has been ongoing globally for a total of 7 outings, Bedikat HaMayim arose as a public appeal for more involvement beyond the traditional one-time yearly event. The rising interest highlights a significant shift in the recognition of the need to address plastic pollution and waste within our natural ecosystems, which is expected to reach 12 billion tons by 2050. Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a major global issue, impacting the environment, human health, and the economy. Exposure to plastic has been associated with a range of health problems, such as cancer, reproductive issues, and respiratory diseases.

In the area of marine pollution, plastic ingestion harms aquatic organisms, with 600 species projected to be affected by 2050, including 90% of seabirds and 15% of marine species. Nonetheless, under the unwavering leadership of Tikun HaYam, a growing Jewish population has an interest in joining the mission. The reason is that these initiatives are deeply rooted in Jewish customs, inspiring groups and individuals alike to encourage recovering plastic waste, recycling, and ultimately creating a sense of obligation to protect our health and ecosystem.

When I was assigned to write about this, it was important to read up about the concept to understand what differentiates it from the Reverse Tashlich, which I took part in last year with a cleanup team at the Jabi Lake in the heart of Abuja when Reverse Tashlich made debut in West Africa. While the Reverse Tashlich is rooted in the idea of the Rosh Hashanah Tashlich rituals, the new concept is built around Passover with a focus on Miriam (the sister of Moshe Rabbeinu).

Chief among other things, the initiative reminds us about Miriam, who is most closely associated with water: she hid the baby Moshe in the river Nile, led the children of Israel in song after the crossing of the Red Sea, and had a drinking well in the desert that preserved the Israelites throughout their sojourn in the wilderness until her demise.
Secondly, designating it as a pre-Passover cleanup is appropriately timed, as the Exodus season symbolizes the narrative of freedom and the favorable sea crossing.

Before the introduction of the Bedikat HaMayim, the parent organization, Repair the Sea, presented a new cup aimed at incorporating the concept of sustainability into the Passover Seder table. This unique cup, known as Miriam’s Cup, honors her legacy, powers, and remarkable connections to water and is made from recycled plastic water bottles, connecting our Jewish tradition with a commitment to environmental responsibility. Miriam’s Cup narrates a tale of renewal, resilience, and repair, transforming plastic pollution into something useful. Participating in the Bedikat HaMayim marine cleanup clearly demonstrates our commitment to giving back to the water that sustained our ancestors while also fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility.

With Miriam primarily in the center of the concept and the Red Sea and the Nile’s relation to the African continent, it was historic and brilliant for the exercise to reach the mouth of the Nile, Africa’s longest river, in its first edition. In the spirit of Bedikat HaMayim, Save the Nile Group, organized by Avraham Ben Avraham and supported by the Repair the Sea organization, executed an impressive cleanup effort on Lake Victoria, which is the largest tropical lake in the world. Their intention was rendered reciprocally as an obligation to save the River Nile, which has its source close to the Masese landing site on the shores of Lake Victoria in Jinja, central Uganda.

Before the cleanup exercise began, plans were made to map the areas around the lake that would be cleaned. The mouth of the Nile, which is commonly known as the source of the Nile, is closest to the popular Masese landing site. The area has a market, a jetty for boats ferrying people and supplies into several lake islands, and a recreational resort that attracts millions of visitors, mostly schoolchildren on field trips and excursions. In addition to the plastic pollution caused by activities in these areas, it is common to see plastics floating from the lake and settling on the shores at Masese. A trip to the closest island from the shore, the Kisima 1 island, revealed that an enormous amount of plastic has accumulated on the island. The same scenario is prevalent in all of the hundreds of inhabited lake islands. From these islands, indiscriminately littered plastics escape into the lake and freely drift in all directions.

Meanwhile, in the distant Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, which is thousands of kilometers away from Jinja, members of the Beth Ha’arachman Jewish community participated in the cleanup effort. Led by their spiritual leader, Emmanuel Yerimyahu, they turned out in numbers for the marine conservation exercise, a practice they have adopted as a religious communal activity in contribution to the fight against plastic pollution.

They again chose the Atlantic beachfront in Ibeno, southern Nigeria, for the cleanup. Several students from Brachot Yeahiva, a primary and secondary school under the synagogue management, also joined them. Members of the community that included men, women, and the youth, along with the students, eventually became the pioneering group in Nigeria to take part in the Passover cleanup after making their debut in the reverse-tashlich October 30th event. They had traveled a distance of approximately two hours to reach the beachfront, a popular destination for tourists seeking relaxation, only to subsequently litter the surrounding area with their waste.

The Akwa Ibom team, dressed in reflectors, moved around the bench front, which has several shops and joints where customers sit to relax. Ahead of an expected busy day, the team arrived quite on time, moving through the environment and handpicking the plastics that littered different parts of the area. It took them over 2 hours to gather a heap of used plastic bottles, placing them next to some gathered tree parts that were washed up on the shoreline. Some shop owners praised their efforts and offered to help by inviting plastic scavengers to take the collected plastics to a nearby dump site, where trucks would haul them to city recyclers.

In Nigeria and other locations, particularly in the United States, the global exercise took place along the shoreline. But the Ugandan team worked on the shore and in a lake island. Notwithstanding the heavy downpour that began early in the afternoon on 6th April, they refused to be deterred by the unfriendly weather, which would make the exercise somewhat risky. After the rains, it was refreshing to see the skies clear before the exercise.

The team consisted of people from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish backgrounds hailing from two Jewish congregations in Mukono, located approximately 85km from Jinja. This interfaith team, assembled in a brief period, focused on individuals who are motivated and have the essential marine skills required for the operation. Nevertheless, the group was truly a representation that the business of cleaning the lake should be a collective effort for everyone, involving those living close to the lakeside or living in any of the islands in the lake—even though ultimately it’s a Jewish-led venture driving environmental change.

Members of the team were highly motivated as they set out to begin the cleaning process. They wore safety vests and boots and sailed with a sack each into the lake. The first destination was the Kisima One Island, a small fishing village at the edge of Lake Victoria with a population of about 3,500. They aimed to collect as many plastic bottles as possible, knowing they would have to fit them all in the engine-powered boat.

Plastic pollution has been on the rise, posing a significant threat to the lake’s ecosystem and its aquatic life. With over 925 islands scattered across its surface, Lake Victoria, with about 7000 kilometers of perimeter, is shared by three countries: Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. In Uganda alone, Lake Victoria’s 150 inhabited islands have an estimated 250,000 people, with Buvuma Island having a share of 89,890, according to the 2014 national population and housing census. Unfortunately, this population increase has led to the generation of plastic waste, resulting in millions of pieces of plastic being littered indiscriminately across the island district. In an interview with Avraham, who led the Save the Nile team, he gave a detailed analysis of the plastic pollution of the lake.

“One of the major sources of plastic pollution in the lake comes from its several lake islands with significant growing populations who unfortunately have turned the islands they live into their permanent garbage dump sites. When it rains, lots of these bottles get washed into the lake and eventually drift by wind and wave to different locations on the mainland shorelines, and some flow into the River Nile, which is specifically the main interest. To save the Nile, we have to repair the lake, starting right from these inhabited lake islands where tons of plastics can be intercepted, retrieved, and prevented from getting washed into the waters of the lake.”

The Nile, one of the oldest rivers mentioned in the Torah, still offers several economic benefits to the continent. The Victoria-Nile, named after its emergence from Lake Victoria around Masese Landing in Jinja, powers a nearby hydro dam. The dam, which is operated by the Uganda Electricity Company, is a source of power generation for both domestic use and lots of which are exported across the border to Kenya.

Back at Kisima 1 Island, the 15-man team under the leadership of Avraham did a thorough cleaning job. In an operation that lasted about one hour, they filled up their sacks, loaded them up on the boat, and sailed away. Passing at close proximity to Kisima 2 and Samuka Island, they sailed for another 30 minutes to get to the mouth of the Nile, which is the exact boundary spot between the lake and the Nile River.

Even though the “Save the Nile” initiative was born in this historic time, a foundation is being formed around it to
go beyond Bedikat HaMayim. Marine conservation is a worthy course for Jews to embark on if a lot of impact can
be made compared to a one-day annual global event. The lake and its numerous inhabited islands, despite being home to vibrant communities and vital ecosystems, no large-scale cleanup has ever been implemented in this region. As a result, millions of plastic items have accumulated along the shores and in the water, threatening marine life, public health, and the economic viability of tourism in badly affected parts of the lake islands. Therefore, a permanent plastic cleanup project is being considered, which would follow a suitable work template
that guarantees profitability and can generate meaningful livelihoods for those involved.

That’s why the “Save the Nile” group’s proposed new mission makes sense. To save the Nile, their team’s focus is to repair the lake by directly removing plastics from several lake islands, mainly the Buvama island, which alone is made up of 52 islands, and then the Kisima 1 and 2 islands and Samuka island that are close to the source of the Nile. The group is considering setting a realistic target of removing 5 million plastic bottles, provided they can develop actionable activities within a timeframe that sustains operational expenses, thereby transforming the initiative into a sustainable and innovative venture.

Organizers, participants, and supporters lauded the successful global launching of the Bedikat HaMaym exercise. Its historical reach to the mouth of the Nile also signals an important starting point in the new Jewish effort in the fight against plastic pollution in Uganda. When the Jinja cleanup crew returned, all the collected plastics were moved to a local dump site, where trucks would pick them up and take them to recycling factories in Jinja and Mukono.

Moving forward, it is paramount to build on the momentum generated and work toward contributing our efforts for a sustainable future. The outing, which served as a successful pilot test, demonstrated effective waste removal from the lake and aimed to recycle materials, thereby making trash find usefulness again. By combining community engagement, innovative thinking, and partnerships, we can protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.

The post Historic First: Bedikat HaMayim Reaches the Mouth of the Nile. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

A children’s playground for arts, sports, singing & dancing, leadership training, and learning Judaism:

Jewish camping, as an activity, aims to provide participating individuals, families, and groups with an unforgettable camping experience that encompasses Jewish culture, traditions, and educational values. It is common to observe that these camps blend recreational activities with Jewish learning, cultural immersion, and community building to create delightful memories. In the majority of campgrounds in the United States, camping often takes place during the summer vacations and stretches out over a period of time that can be as long as ninety days.

On the other hand, there are no regular, structured summer camps that take place annually anywhere from the west coast of Sub-Saharan Africa to the central and eastern regions of Africa. Because of this, the establishment of a Jewish camp in Nigeria in 2023 was a commendable effort on the part of the organizers, and it was a great accomplishment for the black Jewish communities, particularly those in West Africa. According to its objective, Camp Sarah is a Jewish organization that teaches Judaism to children between the ages of five and sixteen. The organization’s mission is to promote unity among Jewish communities for the purpose of enhancing Jewish life in Nigeria and beyond.

Prior to making the decision to establish a Jewish summer camp in Nigeria, the organizers of Camp Sarah first sponsored a number of young people to participate in summer camps across the United States. Now, the primary mission is to achieve a greater impact by allowing more individuals to enjoy the experience of camping in Africa rather than just taking a select few children to the United States.

In the summer of 2023, the inaugural summer camping event took place in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, at Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue at Kubwa, a suburb of the federal capital territory. The camping program debuted as a one week gathering, running from August 21st to 26th, accommodating a record of forty campers who shared in living, learning, praying, and celebrating together. Nevertheless, after that ground-breaking debut, the camp organizers held two additional events before the next summer camp. Firstly, the camp organizers sponsored a joint Hanukkah festival service at the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue, one of the earliest Jewish communities in the country. Then next was a Purim event, which was brightened by a Camp Sarah colorful children celebration in Gihon Hebrew Synagogue.

Between August 5th and August 16th, 2024, children mostly from the Jewish communities in Abuja had another amazing and unforgettable summer camp experience in Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue. The second edition of summer camping began with a 3-day leadership training program hosted inside the social hall at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. Prospective camp workers, volunteers, and instructors received a briefing on the planned activities for the 2-week camping period. Selected individuals were drawn from 2 synagogues in Abuja and from at least 4 other synagogues outside the capital territory.

The final day of the leadership training coincided with the start of a National Youth Shabbat, which was hosted in Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. This special Shabbat was attended by youth from nine different states across the country. It was indeed a super weekend for the youth, with lots of activities beginning with a colorful Shabbat candle lighting and ending in a high-spirited musical havdallah. On Sunday, the following day, spectators gathered in a field to witness the road to the Maccabi Games as a Nigerian youth soccer team was set to make its debut in the Jewish Olympics.

Camp Sarah officially opened the following day at Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue in Abuja, where preparations were made for the event. This year’s camp hosted a total of 79 children, who were separated into four age groups: ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16, with around 20 children in each group. Each group was supervised by counsellors who were volunteers. A total of eight international volunteers from three continents and three nations provided assistance to the camp. These volunteers were Rotem from Israel, Degania from Denmark, Aviv, and five others from the United States of America. In addition, the success of the camp was primarily attributable to the involvement of twenty-two Nigerian volunteers. These volunteers included Shlomo Ben Yaakov of Eden Hebrew Class, Kadmiel Ben Emmanuel, Olachi, Edina Bat Emmanuel, and a number of other enthusiastic youth teachers.

While speaking with Mrs. Debbie Isser, the director of Camp Sarah, during an interview at the Tikvat Israel Synagogue, the venue of the camping, she disclosed that Camp Sarah generated funds for its activities through donations and fundraising. She mentioned that Rabbi Kerrit’s son Micah had his bar mitzvah this year, and for his bar mitzvah project, he asked people to contribute to Camp Sarah. She also said that people contributed to Camp Sarah in memory of her mother, Charlotte (Sarah) Isser, a renowned Jewish educator who has contributed immensely towards Judaism. She laid emphasis on Camp Sarah’s mission of fostering a sense of community, strengthening the bond between campers, strengthening Jewish identity, and promoting leadership skills while having fun.

’We begin every day with a big circle and end every day with a big circle; we have songs and other different activities, including leadership skills and bonding, as part of our daily activities.

The creation of a unique Camp Sarah Siddur by Anya Herzberg, daughter of Debbie Isser, is an interesting feature of the summer camp that took place this year. The Camp Sarah Siddur, which is a collection of prayers and blessings that members of the camp community recite as part of their daily routine, was used in teaching the youngsters who were present at the camp. The prayers in the Siddur aim to fulfil Jewish obligation and strengthen the Jewish bond within the camp community. The Siddur is dedicated to Charlotte (Sarah) Isser (zichrona l’vracha), whose creativity and innovation as a Jewish educator inspired the establishment of Camp Sarah.

During an interview, one of the campers expressed that the activities at the camp provided her with a sense of belonging and opened up opportunities for her to interact with other Jewish children from other parts of the country as well as children who had travelled from abroad to participate.

My name is Batyah. I am one of the campers. What interests me the most about Camp Sarah is their high level of principle when it comes to management, organization, and time management. I learned so many new things, like bead making and painting, and I am most excited about the opportunity to socialize with Jews from all walks of life. Camp Sarah made my holiday enjoyable and memorable.

In an interview with a guardian of some children who were at the camp, Mr. Kaim, who introduced himself, expressed his reasons for enrolling his wards in the camp. He conveyed his wish for them to expand their Jewish connections and fully embrace their Jewish identity by engaging with the instructors’ insights. He emphasized his belief that the experiences at Camp Sarah Summer Camp would enhance the Jewish identity and understanding of the children. Their ability to respond to questions and defend their Jewish identity was important. In another brief discussion, Sar Habakkuk, the leader of Tikvat Isreal synagogue, expressed his joy regarding the impact that Camp Sarah has on the upbringing of Jewish children in Nigeria. He asserted that Camp Sarah’s vision surpasses his own vision for Judaism in Nigeria because it includes ambitious plans for the younger generation, who are poised to become the future of the Jewish faith. He admired the effort the camp organizers are putting into raising our children to become leaders, and as a result, his message for Camp Sarah is one of encouragement.

Activities such as singing, art and painting, various types of presentations, public speaking, meditation, sports, and Jewish education are among the most important activities that take place within the camp. With these regular exercises, the children’s mental, physical, and spiritual abilities are said to be transformed and enhanced. The organizers of the camp had implemented a standard grade system in order to monitor and evaluate overall performance, and they had also encouraged teamwork in order to accomplish their objectives.

Anya Herzberg, who is an international volunteer for Camp Sarah, acknowledged that her involvement with the Nigerian Jewish community had a huge impact on her spiritual life during another important chat. Anya Herzberg is a member of the Camp Sarah international volunteer program.

The prayers and singing are very inspiring for me and so much more beautiful than my community in the US because it is so lively and seeing the kids really know and dance to the songs. It’s a very spiritual experience for me; I haven’t felt this connected to Judaism.

According to all the evidence, it is evident that both campers and volunteers expressed good responses, highlighting the sense of belonging, socialization, and Jewish connection that they were able to cultivate. A number of children who are currently residing outside of Abuja, in the more faraway parts of eastern and southern Nigeria, have expressed interest in enrolling and attending subsequent summer camps. Parents also expressed their hopes that future editions of the camp could take place in parts of the country with significant Jewish populations.

On top of that, given that it is the only Jewish summer camp in West Africa, it would not be strange to learn that Jewish children from nearby nations like Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, and Cote d’lvoire would be just as excited to come and get some important experience as their counterparts from Nigeria.

From all indications, Camp Sarah is more than just a summer camp—it’s a beacon of hope, inclusivity, building Jewish literacy, and addressing Jewish continuity. With only two years of existence in Nigeria, Camp Sarah has demonstrated outstanding commitment in their sacred mission for Jewish children. The camp’s on-going growth and evolution will impact future generations as these children grow to become knowledgeable leaders and devoted Jewish adherents. With adequate funding, future editions will not only include children and counsellors from various regions of sub-Saharan Africa but also extend the camp duration to a minimum of 30 to 60 days. Building bridges within and beyond the Nigerian Jewish community—Camp Sarah will strengthen Jewish identity, build a stronger connection to Israel, and increase participation in Jewish community leadership.

The post Inside Camp Sarah in Nigeria first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

Brachot Yeshiva and Maccabi FCN Join the Global Jewish Marine Conservation Exercise to Repair the Sea:

Brachot Yeshiva, a primary and secondary school in southern Nigeria, and players of the Maccabi FCN in Abuja joined the rest of the Jewish communities all over the world on Sunday, September 29, 2024, to clean their local environment for the 7th annual Reverse Tashlich. In Abuja, the capital of the country, members from two synagogues and the footballers gathered at the Jabi Recreational Park, situated in the heart of the town, on Sunday morning. They then proceeded to clean up strategic areas surrounding the Lake, the largest water body in the federal capital territory. Equipped with personal protective materials and work tools, the team embarked on a marine conservation exercise to repair the sea, enjoying the fun of cleaning up plastic wastes and seaweeds for several hours. The team, consisting of approximately 20 individuals who were enthusiastic about the prospect of serving a purpose of global relevance, split into groups. They were dispersed evenly across different locations in the park to enhance speed and efficiency and to prevent clusters of individuals in a particular location so as to cover a larger area in their clean-up exercise. After working for about 3 hours, they proceeded to dispose of the trash.

Although the international Jewish community cleanup as it is described has been around for 7 years, it is of great importance to note that this is the first time Jewish communities and organizations from across West Africa participated in the event. In 2023, 4000 Jews and allies from 23 countries participated in this global movement, and we anticipate a significant increase in these numbers in the coming years as awareness of this movement expands globally, especially among Jews in Africa.

Reverse Tashlich has been defined as an innovative environmental Jewish ritual that honors traditions while addressing modern crises through cleaning up waterfront locations and combating plastic pollution. We anticipate that the integration of Reverse Tashlich into Jewish life will facilitate individuals in forging a link between their spiritual and ethical principles and environmental conservation.

During an interview at the event with Engr. Yatov Ben Israel, he introduced himself, provided a brief overview of the event and its significance, and explained how he became aware of the global movement.

“I am Yatov Ben Yisrael, also known as Engr. Yatov Abido. I am the executive director of the Initiative for Progressive Jewish Development (IPJD) in Nigeria, an organization saddled with the responsibility of supporting the growth of Judaism and Jewish practice in Nigeria. I am also the Nigerian representative to the Sub-Saharan Jewish Alliance (SAJA). I am here with the Maccabi football club of Nigeria. We are here to perform the reverse tashlich, which is like during the festival of Rosh-Hashanah when we perform tashlich by throwing crumbs of bread into a river, thereby polluting it. In order to repair these water bodies, we’ve been able to identify with an international organization called Tikkun HaYam. We got the information from them that, as a Jew, we are suppose to manage our environment and support the lives of the creatures in the sea. Scientists have already warned us that the high level of deposits and plastics in the sea today will endanger the lives of animals and creatures in the coming years. On that note, we said it should be part of our responsibility as a mitzvah to clean up the sea and water bodies as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah.”

He responded to my question about the funding of the Abuja exercise

“To make this possible, we contributed individually, but my company, Yatov Consults, supported the IPJD in full, which is my personal contribution to ensure that we can do this to save the creatures in the lake and clean our environment. However, we eagerly anticipate additional support to expand this initiative, as even our Jewish brothers from the Beth Harachaman Jewish Community in Akwa Ibom are also actively participating in the cleanup efforts at the Ibeno Atlantic Ocean beach.”

He continued to highlight the participants in the Abuja exercise.

“The participants came from a variety of Abuja Jewish organizations, including the Maccabi football club, the IPJD’s members and volunteers, members of the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue and Tikvat Israel Synagogue in Abuja, and some other local Jews.”

Yatov praised the initiative, emphasizing that protecting the environment is a Yidish mitzvah and that cleaning the sea should be part of our lives to help marine animals. He revealed that they plan to host a larger Reverse Tashlich exercise in the coming year, which will spread participation across Nigeria to align with the global mission and vision of the Repair the Sea organization (Tikkun HaYam).

“Next year, we are eager to undertake a large-scale cleaning-up project in the Niger Delta and the riverine states, where we have significant water bodies, to aid in sea restoration (Tikkun HaYam). Our goal is to determine the most effective ways we can contribute to ensuring the cleanliness of our waterways in Nigeria and Africa.”

At the end of the interview, he gave a vote of thanks to the people who played a pivotal role in the success of the Reverse Tashlich exercise, stating that he felt privileged to be a part of this global Jewish event that is important yet unpopular in this part of the world.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Modreck, the president of SAJA from Zimbabwe, who provided us with information, and to another brother, Avraham Ben Avraham, who assisted us in enrolling. We are deeply grateful to be among the pioneers in Nigeria, having been among the first to perform the Reverse Tashlich, an act that aligns with our upcoming Rosh Hashanah festival. We express our profound gratitude to the Almighty for etching our names in history as one of the pioneers in West Africa, spearheading this initiative to safeguard our rivers and seas and thereby aiding in the eradication of diseases like malaria, cholera, and other ailments stemming from dirty inland waters.”

Meanwhile, in faraway Akwa Ibom state, a distance of approximately 850km from the Jabi Lake, some members of the Beth Ha’arachman Jewish community, led by Avraham Ben Avraham and Emmanuel Yerimyahu the spiritual leader of the community, were also carrying out the reverse Tashlich exercise simultaneously along an Atlantic beachfront in southern Nigeria. A number of young students from Brachot Yeahiva, a school under the synagogue management, also joined them. They had traveled a distance of approximately two hours to reach the Ibeno beachfront, a popular destination for tourists seeking relaxation, only to subsequently litter the surrounding area with their waste.

Avraham, the chairman of the board of trustees of the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation, acknowledged that he resonates with the idea of cleaning the sea as a reversal of our actions during the normal Tashlich, which adds dirt to the water bodies. He emphasized that the concept of the reverse Tashlich is a global movement aimed at combating the plastic crisis by taking preventive measures to prevent more plastic waste from entering the sea, a crucial aspect of human survival that is often overlooked. He stated that non- biodegradable plastic particles can end up in fish’s stomachs, and consuming these fish can lead to a form of plastic poisoning. In other words, by polluting the sea, we ultimately harm ourselves in the long run.

The team in Akwa Ibom spent over an hour gathering waste and disposing of it properly in the designated area. At the end, they sat down to relax, communicated with their counterparts in Abuja through video call, and then treated themselves to a sumptuous meal of kosher fish and wine before setting out on the return trip, back to the Jewish community, which is located along the airport road, just at the outskirts of Uyo, the state capital.

Following the call with the Akwa Ibom team, the people in Abuja were filled with excitement and motivation, realizing they were not alone. Shlomo Ben Yaacov Mmaduakor, the captain of the Maccabi FCN, was present for this global marine conservation exercise, which he believes to be a way of balancing nature. During an interview at the Reverse Tashlich event, he explained that by cleaning and removing dirt from the water body, one can reverse the Tashlich ritual, which involves throwing objects into the water body. The majority of the participants at the event shared the idea that this is a way of repairing the world. The Maccabi FCN, since its early preliminary formation some two years ago, is hoping to set out on the road to the Maccabi games, as the first Nigerian youth soccer team to make debut in the Jewish Olympics in 2025.

Shlomo, who was instrumental in the event’s organization, discussed the venue selection and the difficulties they encountered.

“We chose Jabi Recreational Park for its convenient access to the polluted lake. Due to the surge in fuel prices, we faced significant logistical challenges in bringing people together from various locations. However, after weeks of strategic planning, we successfully achieved our goal today. IPJD was the primary sponsor, providing everything from refreshments to logistics. They also ensured that each participant had personal protective equipment, such as hand gloves and a customized vest with a face cap, to protect them from the sun’s heat.”

Casually observing the park and lake, it appeared nothing had been cleaned in months. There were all kinds of rubbish and plastic waste littered around the park. It’s likely that the lake itself hasn’t undergone cleaning in years. Seaweed and other plant species flourished on the water surface, and plastic waste floated aimlessly, moving whichever direction the wind went. One would agree that the lake and park were in dire need of a thorough clean-up.

Mr. Aliyu, a visitor to the park, approached us to express his appreciation for our efforts. He lamented about the lapses in management of the Jabi Lake Park, which is a popular tourist attraction site.

“This park was designed to be a good tourist attraction, but the lack of maintenance has turned it into a sorry site. What these people who are cleaning this lake are doing is motivational and should inspire people to look after their environment. I envision a future where patriots like them will take it upon themselves to keep the environment clean.”

Furthermore, shortly before we set out to leave, Shlomo spoke. He mentioned the park’s support and how it assisted the exercise.

“During the process of cleaning, we received support from officials and people at the park. They praised our efforts and offered us the additional equipment and tools to ensure a smooth cleaning process, which proved to be extremely beneficial. Also, they guided us through advice, suggestions, and ideas to make it easier for us. Most importantly, we had fun.”

He spoke about the power of synergy and expressed gratitude to every participant, as it was the collective effort of everyone that made the exercise possible. He pointed out that he felt opportune to have participated in the first Reverse Tashlich in Nigeria.

As we exited the park, one of the participants, known as Yochanan Ben Mattitiyahu, a member of the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue, stated that the exercise was filled with fun and that it was worth doing. Sharing in the idea that cleaning of water bodies is an act of repairing the world, he said that he is looking forward to having a bigger and better Reverse Tashlich experience in the coming year.

The post Reverse Tashlich debuts in West Africa first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

Camp Sarah has once again made the summer holiday unforgettable for the children of the Jewish communities in Abuja, Nigeria. The two-week summer camp, held at the Tikvat Israel Synagogue in Kubwa started on the 5th of August and came to a successful close on Friday, 16th August 2024. Last year, the inaugural event took place almost at the same time and venue. Since that groundbreaking debut, the camp organizers have held two additional activities. Firstly, a joint Hanukkah festival service and a Purim brightened by a Camp Sarah colorful children celebration in Gihon Hebrew Synagogue.

This year’s outing began with a 3-day leadership training program hosted inside the social hall at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. Prospective camp Sarah workers, volunteers, and instructors were briefed on how activities for the 2 weeks of camping will proceed according to plans. Selected individuals were drawn from 2 synagogues in Abuja and from at least 4 other synagogues outside the capital territory.

The final day of the leadership training coincided with the start of a National Youth Shabbat, which was hosted in Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. This special Shabbat was attended by youth from nine different states across the country. It was indeed a super weekend for the youth, with lots of activities beginning with a colorful Shabbat candle lighting and ending in a high-spirited musical havdallah. On Sunday, the following day, spectators gathered in a field to witness the road to the Maccabi Games as a Nigerian youth soccer team was set to make its debut in the Jewish Olympics.

The next day, the stage was set for the opening of Camp Sarah in Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue in Abuja. This camp welcomed 79 children, divided into four age groups: 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16, with approximately 20 children per group. Volunteer counselors supervised each group.

The camp was supported by eight international volunteers from three continents and three countries: Rothem from Israel, Degania from Denmark, Aviv, and five others from the USA. In addition, the success of the camp was largely due to the contributions of twenty-two Nigerian volunteers, including Shlomo Ben Yaakov of Eden Hebrew Class, Kadmiel, Olachi, Edina, and a number of other energetic youth teachers.

While speaking with Mrs. Debbie Isser, the director of Camp Sarah, during an interview at the Tikvat Israel Synagogue, the venue of the camping, she disclosed that Camp Sarah generated funds for its activities through donations and fundraising. She mentioned that Rabbi Kerrit’s son Micah had his bar mitzvah this year, and for his bar mitzvah project, he asked people to contribute to Camp Sarah. She also said that people contributed to Camp Sarah in memory of her (Mrs. Debbie) mother, Charlotte (Sarah) Isser, a renowned Jewish educator who has contributed immensely towards Judaism. She laid emphasis on Camp Sarah’s mission of fostering a sense of community, strengthening the bond between campers, strengthening Jewish identity, and promoting leadership skills while having fun.

We begin every day with a big circle and end every day with a big circle; we have songs and other different activities, including leadership skills and bonding, as part of our daily activities.

Key activities that take place inside the camp include art and painting, singing, different kinds of presentation, public speaking, meditation, sports, and Jewish learning. These daily activities aim to transform and improve the children’s mental, physical, and spiritual skills. Camp organizers had put in place a standard grade system to measure and gauge overall performance and encouraged teamwork to achieve goals.

Both campers and volunteers shared positive experiences at the end, highlighting the sense of belonging, socialization, and Jewish connection that the camp has achieved. The camp’s vision and efforts received encouragement from Sar Habakkuk, leader of Tikvat Israel synagogue. The upcoming Succot edition of African Jewish Voices magazine will detail the variety of activities the campers went through. Stay tuned for more updates on Camp Sarah’s exciting experiences, including the use of a special printed siddur inside the camp!

Photo Gallery

All Photo credit: Camp Sarah

The post Tikvat Yisrael Synagogue Hosts Another Colorful Edition Of Camp Sarah in Abuja first appeared on African Jewish Voices.