Nigeria

The Jews of Nigeria

Jews in Nigeria? NIGERIA?! Are you skeptical? Watch these videos; they will help you overcome your doubts. Nigerians who identify themselves themselves as part of our people are certain of their ancient Israelite origins. Ibos, Ikweres, Ibibios and others are forming synagogue communities to reclaim their spiritual patrimony.
How many Jews are there in Nigeria? This is not an easy question to answer. It depends on one’s definition. The number of Nigerians who identify themselves as Jews has

to be in the tens of thousands. Most of them are messianic. Those who have completed their return to Judaism - that is, they no longer believe in the divinity of Jesus and no longer accept him as their messiah or savior - is much smaller: maybe 1,500 to 2,000. Those whom I, as a Conservative rabbi, consider halakhically Jewish - a handful.
How do they trace their ancestry? That is a complicated question with no one comprehensive answer. A paper published by the Ibo-Benei-Yisrael is one example of how Igbos trace their ancestry and describe who they are.
I am not a historian. I am a rabbi and an occasional traveler. I have written several vignettes from my experiences as a guest in Nigeria, traveling as a rabbi and visiting an assortment of communities throughout the country. I also want to share some observations of life there. [N.B. Interesting and valuable historical research is being conducted by Temple University’s Center for Afro-Jewish Studies (CAJS), the only such research facility in the world. Take a look at CAJS’ brochure and read its newsletters: #1 #2 #3.]
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| Resources: Nigeria & Nigerian Jews |
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