LAST MONTH, in January, the Kwania Jewish community located in Northern Uganda recorded two sets of Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, marking an important milestone in the spiritual life of some of its young members. In keeping with a long-standing tradition, all roads once again led to Mbale in the eastern region of the country, home to the Abayudaya headquarters, where such major religious events are usually observed.

On the first day of the month, a lone Bar Mitzvah ceremony of Gunna Gershom was conducted, followed two weeks later by a joint Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration involving four girls and one boy. The celebrants were Shalom Akello, Sarah Alum, Hanna Ejang, Esther Abuni, and Aaron Okello. This second ceremony in particular was historic for the community, as it brought together several families to witness their children come of age under Jewish halacha.

The journey from Kwania to Mbale spans approximately 300 kilometers and takes about five hours by road. Despite the long distance, the young celebrants were accompanied by their families and a few other members from their synagogue, reflecting the communal nature of the occasion. For years, the Kwania Jewish community—numbering more than 150 congregants—has remained the only Jewish enclave in northern Uganda until the recent emergence of Sharei Shalom Synagogue. However, lacking a Sefer Torah of its own, the community’s founding members have always opted to hold Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at the iconic Stern Synagogue in Nabugoye, Mbale, a practice that has continued to this day.

The atmosphere during the high-spirited celebration was one of joy and dancing. Dressed in colorful attire, the celebrants stood before the congregation to recite blessings and read from the Torah, their voices steady with confidence and excitement. Songs in Hebrew and the local language filled the synagogue as families and guests joined in prayer and celebration. For the parents, the moment was both spiritual and personal, symbolizing the reward of years of nurturing their children in Jewish learning and values.

Preparations for the event began several weeks earlier, even before the Hanukkah festival. Throughout that period, the celebrants dedicated themselves to prayer, study, and disciplined practice. Under the guidance of their Torah teacher, who happens to be me, by the mercy of Hashem, they learned the relevant parashat for their bar/bat mitzvah day, rehearsed their readings, and studied the meaning of their new responsibilities as adult members of the Jewish community. Barely weeks until the much-anticipated event, all that is required to learn has been covered, raising their confidence level ahead of the January trip to Mbale.

Leaders in the host community described the celebrations as more than a religious rite; they were an affirmation of continuity and faith. In a region where Jewish life is small and geographically isolated, such ceremonies serve as a powerful reminder that tradition can be preserved through commitment and cooperation. Up there, the Kwania community is the last and northernmost Jewish group in the surrounding area up until the distant border with South Sudan.

As the celebrations concluded, prayers were offered for the growth and wisdom of the new Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrants and for the continued strength of the Kwania community. Their journey to Mbale was not merely a physical one but a spiritual passage into responsibility, identity, and belonging.

Beyond the religious ceremony itself, the long-standing connection between Kwania and Nabugoye has also been rooted in the educational context. For many years, young people from Kwania traveled to Nabugoye to attend Jewish-owned primary and secondary schools, where they received basic, formal, and sound education and were groomed in Jewish life before returning home to their community. Today, that relationship is entering a new chapter. With the establishment of a makeshift Jewish-inspired primary school within Kwania—though still in great need of proper facilities and resources—young students can now remain in their community.

In a similar stance, it is hoped that the same progress will be achieved in religious life as well. Should Kwania one day acquire its Sefer Torah, or be able to readily hire one for future Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, they could consequently be held in front of their congregation at home, sparing families the heavy costs and long overland trips to the headquarters at Nabugoye. Such a development would not only ease logistical burdens but would also mark a significant step toward spiritual self-sufficiency for the growing Kwania Jewish community.

The post Kwania Jewish Community Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebration to Mbale. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

At dusk on the 30th of June, 2025, members of the Beth Ha’rachaman Jewish Community, located along Airport Road in Uruan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, witnessed a landmark event that brought a triple celebration to their community. Some leaders in the community, invited guests, and Jewish faithful from across the state gathered to witness this historic occasion. The event marked the official launch of the third edition of the African Jewish Voices magazine, the honoring of a renowned philanthropist, and the unveiling of plans for filming a documentary about the Sukkot Village in the Beth Harachaman Jewish Community—each representing the deepening roots and bright future of Judaism in Nigeria.

At the heart of the event was the official release of the third edition of the African Jewish Voices magazine, an annual publication, which was announced by the leader of Beth Ha’arachaman, Emmanuel Yerimyahu Ukpong. The master of the ceremony, Shlomo Ozni, had first begun by introducing key figures present and then welcoming everyone before giving the floor to Emmanuel, who, in his remarks, stated that the magazine, which is in its second year of publication, is gradually taking its place as a voice for the African Jewish community.

“I am impressed that a Nigerian, who is also a member of my community, is steadfastly leading a network of professional writers to run an independent African platform that amplifies the voices of lonely and underrepresented Jewish communities across the continent.”

The new edition of the magazine, published by the efforts of the management of the A.B.A. Foundation (a media and parnassah support organization), carries a front-cover caption: “Leveraging Technology,” with a colorful background photo with a mix of scientific artistry. This 66-page masterpiece, featuring a collection of articles by various writers, includes topics such as Pesach in Africa, a group photo of the rising Maccabi Football Club of Nigeria in the opening shot page, solar-powered communities in Uganda and Nigeria, giyur (conversion), the role of philanthropy, and more.

Avraham Ben Avraham, chairman of the board of trustees of the A.B.A. Foundation and chief editor of the African Jewish Voices, shared a brief history of his journalistic journey in his keynote address.

“This vision began 10 years ago when I started running a synagogue blog in Abuja in 2016, shortly after returning to mainstream Judaism.” Events that followed in the years ahead led to operating the famous JewishNigeria blog and writing for the Jerusalem Post and Kulanu magazine. Today, bezrat Hashem, we have achieved our third magazine edition, which is freely downloadable online, while also powering an African Jewish news platform with a group of enthusiastic and talented writers. Our goal is to make the magazine accessible to every Jew on the continent and overseas. The vision is to give African Jews a voice, and I want this voice to be heard by everyone.”

A few copies of the magazine, which was available, were passed around to the guests, who took turns looking at it, flipping through the pages, and passing it to the next person. The future plans seek to adopt the print-on-demand in the form of paid subscriptions for people interested in owning copies of the magazine. However, you can currently download e-copies in PDF format from the website’s home page or by using this direct link. https://africanjewishvoices.com/ajv-3rd-edition-e-copy/

Honoring a Pillar of Generosity.

The evening took an emotional turn as both Avraham and Emmanuel Yerimyahu took turns to present an Award of Recognition and Appreciation to Jewish philanthropist Engr. Jator Abido respectively, whose generous support has assisted in several synagogue construction works, sponsored Jewish festivals across Nigeria, and funded numerous initiatives for Nigerian Jewry. It would be the first time that the IPJD’s philanthropic gestures across Jewish Nigeria would be recognized and awarded in gratitude by members of the Nigerian Jews.

Jator, who flew in from his base in Abuja (capital of Nigeria) to honor the invitation to the event, received the awards with excitement. He couldn’t hide his expression of being honored by the African Jewish Voices as well as by the members of the Jewish community in Akwa Ibom, whose synagogue he’s currently funding an exterior building decoration with marble walls at the lower section around the perimeter, to be followed by painting of the rest of the outside building walls.

“It is very emotional for me as I receive these two awards on this ground because I do my charitable works from Hashem’s portion of whatever income that comes to me. I believe that there is a portion in every parnassa (income) I make that belongs to Hashem—therefore, it’s not mine to eat. I encourage every Jew to remember Hashem’s portion in their earnings.”

He dedicated the awards—of recognition and appreciation—to Hashem, his loving family, and to the youth gathered there. He emphasized that this unexpected recognition has truly motivated him to continue his commitment to acts of philanthropy. Known in the Jewish community as Yatov Ben Yisrael, Jator has been actively supporting Jewish communities and individuals across Nigeria through the Initiative for Progressive Judaism Development (IPJD), a nonprofit organization where he serves as the chairperson of its board of trustees.

A Living Testament: The Sukkot Village Documentary

Rounding off the evening was the unveiling of an upcoming documentary tentatively titled “Voices from the Sukkot Village.” The tradition of dwelling in the Sukkot Village has become an annual occurrence since the establishment of the community 9 years ago. The Jerusalem Post has featured the celebration of Sukkot in Beth Harachaman in Southern Nigeria. Earlier this year, the crew of the legendary We Were Never Lost documentary, led by Rudy Rochman, visited the permanent site of the Sukkot Village as part of their tour across the country. The upcoming documentary teases viewers to step into the rhythm of Sukkot in southern Nigeria with an inspiring documentary that captures life inside the Sukkot village at Beth Ha’rachaman.

Ben Avraham, while speaking about the documentary, which was featured on the inside back cover of the new magazine, commended the community for their steadfastness in keeping the Sukkot tradition alive. He emphasized that this Sukkot Village is a living testimony that should be kept alive—as it’s a rare scene worldwide to see people abandoning the comfort of their homes and choosing to dwell in sukkah for 7 whole days. He encouraged community members to prepare for the upcoming filming and interviews, as the project aims to capture various Sukkot activities, including prayers, Shabbat preparation, harvesting, communal meals, social events, education at the synagogue’s Brachot Yeshiva school, and a football match between Ha’rachaman FC and a local neighborhood football club.

A Sign of Growth and Hope.

Jator, clearly moved by the vision of the planned filming, also lent his voice and declared his intention to support the documentary as a partner in documenting the lives of Jews in the state during our time. While electricity has posed a significant challenge for the community, the management are seeking to explore alternative electrification methods using solar technology to illuminate the Sukkot village and ultimately enhance the Sukkot experience. In addition to plans of having a WiFi-connected Sukkot camp, there will be a sukkah Judaica shop that would sell items like kippot, tallitot, and tallit kittan at a discounted rate.

The Beth Harachaman Jewish Community hosted the triple celebration that evening, filling the atmosphere with joyful applause. It was also a beautiful inclusion to have students of Brachot Yeshiva grace the event in style. In his closing speech before a brief speech by the women leader (Shalom bat Yisrael) and the vote of thanks by Chasdiel, the former chairman of the community, Emmanuel summed up the night beautifully.

“We are no longer hidden, nor will we be silent. With our magazine, our identities are printed; through the giving of awards, our honor is upheld; and with our documentary, our Judaism is now on screen for the world to see.”

He encouraged community members to remain committed to preserving and advancing their Jewish practice. Indeed, for the Beth Harachaman Jewish Community, this evening was not just an event—it was evidence of sustained growth, strength in the face of challenges and limitations, and then the enduring light of African Jewry. It proved that the African Jewish community has a vibrant voice and a sacred story worth sharing with the world.

The post AJV Magazine 3rd Edition Launch, Philanthropy Award, Sukkot Village Documentary. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

Anniversaries are significant milestones that provide us with an opportunity for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment. They remind us of where we started and where we aspire to go. For African Jewish Voices, our one-year anniversary is a testimony that there is Torah in Africa and that African Jewish identity is vibrant, resilient, and growing.

I recall vividly a conversation back in 2018 with a Jewish brother, Ariel Ben Yehudah. He asked me earnestly, “Rishon, who will speak for us? We are serious in our observance; we don’t joke with Shabbat. We are studying daily, and some of us are even communicating in Ivrit. How will the world hear us?”

That question resonated deeply with me. Today, just a few years later, African Jewish Voices has made a name for itself, amplifying the voices of Jews in Africa on a global scale. Over the past year, the publication has cemented its place as a leading Jewish media platform, not just in Africa but worldwide. It has delivered insightful content on various topics such as Jewish festivals and celebrations, sports, music, education, food security, antisemitism, book reviews, and Jewish entrepreneurship. Since it was officially launched in February 2024, African Jewish Voices has rapidly grown, but its roots trace back to over seven years of Jewish media work in Nigeria. What began as a localized effort gradually expanded to encompass voices from across the continent, culminating in the creation of a dedicated pan-African platform for Jewish storytelling.

Managed by the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation, an independent media platform and parnassah network, African Jewish Voices has become a beacon of Jewish expression from Africa. I recall my first encounter with the visionary editor-in-chief, Avraham Ben Avraham, who is also the brain behind the AJV magazine. He encouraged me to join their team of writers, emphasizing the importance of giving Jews in Africa a future on the global stage.

“We must establish our presence officially all over Africa,” he declared with conviction. True to his words, he has successfully established an official presence in two African countries — Nigeria and Uganda within a year. Within just one year of its inception, African Jewish Voices boasts a team of about ten talented writers on its network. This dedicated team has played a crucial role in the publication’s success.

One of the most remarkable achievements of African Jewish Voices is its ability to publish two magazine editions within a year: “A New Dawn” and “Light at the End of the Tunnel.” These digital editions, featuring 20 insightful articles, have been warmly received by readers worldwide. How exciting to see it’s already one year, as we can remember when the African Jewish Voices magazie made its debut on Purim, with Gihon Hebrew Synagogue as the host venue. This accomplishment is a clear testament to the magazine’s commitment to evolving and meeting the diverse needs of its audience.

Equally important is the team behind the magazine. The chief editor, Avraham Ben Avraham, leads a group of passionate editors, proof readers, photographers, and writers, some of which includes the likes of Eben Cohen, Nonso and Netzach Ekwunife, Deborah Elom, and myself, Rishon Ben Avraham. The magazine’s graphic designer, Roscabel Media is regarded as one of the best in African Jewish media- bringing creative brilliance to each edition. Our collective creativity and dedication are the driving forces behind the magazine’s success.

The hard work and excellence of the team have not gone unnoticed. A Jewish friend in the United States, Raphael David, hinted the importance of milestone when I mentioned the upcoming anniversary.

“This anniversary is as much about celebrating the team’s hard work as it is about honoring the news platform and the magazine itself. African Jewish Voices is one of the best pan-African Judaism network worldwide. I love your team; keep it up.”

Of course, none of these achievements would have been possible without the unwavering support of our readers. Their feedback, engagement, and loyalty have been invaluable. Within just a year, they have not only consumed the website and magazine’s content but have also shaped its direction, guiding it to remain relevant and responsive to their needs. The platform has become an academic resource and a historical archive for international students, researchers, and curious readers alike who turn to African Jewish Voices to gain insight into the lives of African Jews.

As we celebrate 365 days of a journey of faith, culture, and media, it is also a time to look ahead to the future. There are endless possibilities waiting to be explored. Our chief editor described the anniversary achievement in the most positive way.

“The journey has just begun; let’s double up.” This milestone captures the essence of our mission — to continue growing, evolving, and making a difference in the global Jewish community.”

Looking forward, the platform aims to expand its reach, produce even more compelling content featuring stories from Southern Africa, and establish official presences in additional African countries. The vision is clear: African Jewish Voices will continue to be a platform that amplifies African Jewish perspectives while fostering connections with the global Jewish diaspora.

In conclusion, this one-year anniversary is not just a celebration of how far we have come but also a promise of where we are headed. It is a reminder of the power of determination, vision, and community. Here’s to many more years of success for African Jewish Voices. We remain committed to echoing the voices of Jews in Africa and showcasing their stories to the world. Mazal Tov!

The post African Jewish Voices Turns One: A Year of Amplifying Our Stories. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

By: Israel Abraham

The 2024 Purim was another milestone for African Jews and the world-wide Jewish community, as it marked the birth of a special magazine that is dedicated to telling the stories of Jews in Africa. As its name suggests, African Jewish Voices, serves as an online news aggregator platform, empowering the African Jewish population to share their stories independently. It is kicking off with an inaugural magazine launch to introduce writers in its growing network. The plan is to publish a quarterly soft copy magazine for free download, offering the option of print on demand. The magazine aims to showcase the diversity and richness of Jewish life in Africa, shedding light on the experiences and contributions of African Jews. Through this platform, African Jewish Voice hopes to foster a sense of community and connection among Jews across the continent.

The launch of the magazine marked a significant moment for all African Jews on a personal and communal level since the start of a new wave of Judaism among black Africans. Speaking at the event, which took place at the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in Abuja, Nigeria, Avraham Ben Avraham, the visionary and editor-in-chief of the magazine, stated that the magazine is a product of his over seven-year journey in the field of journalism as a Jew. He emphasized his humble labor as a blog writer and manager for the Tikvat Israel Synagogue blog for two years, without receiving any payment. This, he further explained, was a sacrifice he made so as to see the ongoing activities of Judaism in the country captured and documented for future generations to make reference to.

What you are witnessing today is not something that started yesterday, not at all. It is a journey that began many years ago, like 7 years to be precise. My journey began at Tikvat Israel Synagogue, where I took the lead in creating, writing, and managing the synagogue’s blog without receiving any payment. But with my second blog, which was better and bigger, featuring Jewish activities across the federation, at least I was glad to have achieved something that stopped to an extent—the questions we get from many of the white Jews asking, surprisingly, if there are Jews in Nigeria!

One of Avraham’s main motivations was the challenge of the lack of media coverage facing many existing Jewish communities. Saying that the stories of African Jews are not being told, and when they are told, they are not being told the way they should be told—that is, to represent the reality on the ground. He asserted that the inclusion of African Jewish Voices will provide African Jews with the chance to narrate their own stories, allowing the world to hear them in their authentic form rather than the frequent misunderstandings and misrepresentations they encounter. He also pointed out that he believes that many diaspora Jews outside the continent will want to hear the real stories devoid of misplacement of fact. Speaking further, he said that another motivation is his zeal to give African Jewish writers a platform to showcase their stories.

Our stories are not being told well, and this is because we are relying on people who are not African Jews to tell our stories. This is because African Jews are lagging behind media-wise, and I believe that with this magazine, we can change that scenario. With this magazine, I know we can tell our stories better. We founded this magazine with the intention of empowering other African Jewish writers. Now they have a platform to excel as writers. I am confident that working with them will enhance and expedite the telling of our stories. Because they have a platform very close to them—a platform that will have their stories published easily.

Avraham narrated a story of what he witnessed back in Uganda, where a visitor was telling the story of how Judaism sprouted in Uganda according to what she read in a book written by someone who is not from among Ugandan Jews. The book’s author misrepresented the true story by suggesting that Semei Kakungulu, the founder of Judaism in Uganda, converted to Judaism to retaliate against the British colonial masters for rejecting his request to become king in eastern Uganda. Avraham asserted that these and numerous other narratives exemplify the misrepresentation of African Jews, and the emergence of African Jewish Voices will enable African Jews to narrate their own stories.

While I was in Uganda, something happened to my amazement. A visiting Israeli Jew told us what she heard about Ugandan Jews—and how they became Jews. She said she read in a book that the reason the founder of Judaism in Ugandan joined the Jewish way of life was to spite the British colonial authorities because they refused to make him a king. This wrong narrative was immediately corrected by a Ugandan Jew who has also authored a book on Judaism in Uganda by telling the visitors that the father of Judaism joined Judaism because of the divine inspiration he got after reading the Bible given to him and not because he wanted to get back at the British. He added that if he wanted to spite the British, he would have joined Islam, which was a strong religious movement back then, and not Judaism, which no one was practicing in Uganda as at then.

This inaugural edition features stories from Jewish writers primarily residing in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sudan. Avraham went on to welcome onboard Jews from all over the world to come with their talents and resources in order to build African Judaism to a greater height. 

I thank everyone and welcome them to join hands together to make this magazine succeed. This very maiden edition comprises articles, book reviews, and interviews by Jewish writers from across sub-Saharan Africa. We are hoping that more writers will join us as we go on. African Jewish Voices belong to all Jews, and they are free to make contributions towards its growth.

Highlights of the event included reading from the magazine, the award presentation, wine tasting, grant giving, and the Gihon Children’s song and drama presentation. Earlier in the day, Camp Sarah hosted a colorful Purim costume-making project for children. Also, during the magazine launch, Mishael Agugoesi received a Bar Mitzvah certificate.

The magazine featured two stories read were: one about a group of Ethiopian Jews who managed to escape the Ethiopian war, only to find themselves ensnared in the ongoing war in Sudan, and another detailing the activities of Camp Sarah since its inception in Nigeria in 2023. Two individuals, Shlomo Yakov and Imma Melekyah Aboh, received awards for their significant contributions to the advancement of Judaism. Shlomo was recognized for his dedication to teaching the Torah and Hebrew language to children and fresh returnees to Judaism. We recognized Imma Melekyah for demonstrating love through the Sabbath meal.

Just as it is tradition in Judaism, wine is essential at every gathering, but this time around, we witnessed a wine tasting for the very first time. Kedem Kosher Wine, a relatively new brand based in the United States, was tasted by some selected attendees. Each person gave a review of the wine after the tasting, concluding that it was of high quality and suitable for Shabbat, festivals, and personal consumption.

In his tradition of supporting Jewish courses and individual Jews, Avraham, through his foundation, the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation, supported two individuals with microgrant support to aid their entrepreneurial works. The Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation supported Gideon Ben Israel in his poultry farming business and awarded a writing grant to Israel ben Abraham, one of the featured writers in African Jewish Voices magazine, to enhance his Jewish media journalism. Another donation was made to provide web hosting for the Gihon’s Synagogue website for 24 months. Also provided was unlimited free WiFi for the magazine launch event, enabling everyone to enjoy high speed internet browsing and to download the magazine as it went live on the internet. Some of the event’s supporters made this possible.

The event ended with joy as people who spoke praised the magazine idea. This includes the community’s chairman, Elder Kelvin Dimunah, who declared the event open. Also speaking at the end of the event, the community leader and one of the pioneers of Judaism in Nigeria, Elder Ovudai Agbai Okonji, praised the worthy course and advised every Jew to continue in the emuna. He ended by singing the song “Ana Adonai Hoshia Na,” which everyone inside the venue joined in singing with joy.

The post African Jewish Voices magazine makes its debut on Purim, with Gihon Hebrew Synagogue as host venue. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.