Tag Archives: Africa

Upcoming Events

Finding Judaism Across Africa and Central America, Intersections with Sephardi and Mizrahi Culture and Practice – March 12, 2023

Finding Judaism Across Africa and Central America, Intersections with Sephardi and Mizrahi Culture and Practice

IN PERSON and ONLINE!
Sunday, March 12 from 10 am – 4 pm EST
Center for Jewish History, 15 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

Communities across Africa and Central America are returning to their Jewish roots or finding Judaism. They are seeking out religion and a connection to the larger Jewish world, many with a view towards their own Sephardi ancestry and others through an affinity for the Sephardi rites. 

Representatives of these communities, documentarians, and activists will come together to share their experiences and the unique interactions of these communities and the greater Sephardi world traditions. 

Featuring 

  • Professor Tudor Parfitt, distinguished professor at Florida International University, world-renowned scholar and historian of Lost Tribes. Featured on the History channel, BBC, and PBS.
  • Professor Shalva Weil, senior researcher at Hebrew University, world-renowned scholar on Indian Jews, Ethiopian Jews, Lost Tribes, and femicide. 
  • Joseph F. Lovett, producer, director, and writer. Director of Children of the Inquisition, 2019.
  • Jator Abido (Yatov ben Yisrael), Jewish Nigerian Prince, representative to the Sub Sahara Africa Jewish alliance, and civil engineer 
  • Patricio Serno, filmmaker and co-founder of Casa Tova, Mexico
  • Bonita Sussman, President of Kulanu, world traveler, author, and photographer
  • Genie Milgrom, world-renowned genealogist, Crypto-Jewish advocate, and author
  • Dr. Drora Arussy, Senior Director, ASF Institute of Jewish Experience
  • and more!

Register today!

To attend in person in New York City with lunch, the cost is $36.

To attend virtually on zoom, the cost is $15.

Articles, News

Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance formed in the aftermath of Kulanu conference

SAJA seeks to unite the continent’s emerging communities.

BY AVI KUMAR

Participants at the Kulanu gathering in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, earlier this month. Credit: Serge Etele.

(December 30, 2022 / JNS) – The Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance was founded this month, with the goal of facilitating ties among the continent’s Jewish groups. The organization will include representatives from Tanzania, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya and Cameroon.

The SAJA was established after representatives of Jewish communities across sub-Saharan Africa gathered for the first time in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, this month to discuss various aspects of Judaism and Jewish life in the region.

SAJA has a temporary board with Mordreck Maersara from Zimbabwe currently serving as acting president. The group aims to draft a constitution and hold elections for a permanent board in the next six months. It also has a vice president and treasurer, and intends to add more positions to the roster after the constitution is finalized.

Maersara told JNS, “Our goal is to help each other by discussing both shared successes and challenges to aid each other to grow in our Judaism across Africa.”

Click here to read the full article on the Jewish News Syndicate website.