Did you know that Temple University has a Center for
Afro-Jewish Studies, the only such research institute in the world?
Tens of thousand of Lemba live in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Self-proclaimed Jews, a study of Lemba chromosomes is cited to validate their claims of Israelite or Judaic ancestry. 3
Kenya: A growing African congregation attends the British-founded synagogue in Nairobi, sending their children to Uganda to be educated by the Abayudaya.
When people think about the Jews of Africa, the historic communities of North Africa - Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya - most readily come to mind. Or communities in South Africa: Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg, comprised of immigrants from Eastern Europe. Few think of the communities in sub-Saharan Africa, comprised almost exclusively of native Africans. Each of these communities has a story of its own.
The Sefwi Jews of Ghana believe that they are descended from Jewish traders who came through Timbuktu. Their children are the first generation of modern Ghanians to be raised as Jews.1
The Community of Yahweh Worldwide is found in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, The Gambia and Benin. Founded and having its centre in Nigeria (home of an estimated 250 branches), adherents can be found in England and in the United States. This is a messianic organization. 2
2 Why would a mainstream rabbi have any dealings with Messianics? Click here to read my approach to this question. This link takes you to an interesting account of the importance of Sabbath observance within the Community of Yahweh, while this link takes you to their website.
Jews in Timbuktu?! Not exactly, but there were Jews there; their descendants converted to Islam or Christianity. Today, by researching their history, they are reconnecting to their Jewish roots. 3
The Falash Mura, Ethiopians whose ancestors converted to Christianity, are considered by many to be part of the Jewish People. Some twenty thousand of them in Gondar and Addis Ababa await the opportunity to immigrate to Israel.
Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo - Tutsi Jews, many of whom are living in exile.
