History of the Jews in Ivory Coast
None
Total population |
---|
150 [1] |
Regions with significant populations |
Abidjan |
Languages |
French , Hebrew |
Religion |
Judaism |
The history of the Jews in Ivory Coast dates back at least 50 years. A small Jewish community has emerged in the capital city of Abidjan. Most Ivorian Jews are either local converts or foreign-born residents. [1]
History
The emerging Jewish community in Ivory Coast has its roots in the International Kabbalah Centres that have been established throughout Africa. A group of Kabbalah practitioners led by Cornet Alexandre Zouko decided to begin practicing Orthodox Judaism . Under Zouko's guidance, members of the community began to learn how to daven and observe Jewish holidays, as well as studied Hebrew . Unlike many African Jews who live in poverty, the emerging Jewish community in Abidjan is primarily middle class. The community reached out to the organization Kulanu in 2014, a group that helps isolated and emerging Jewish communities in Africa and elsewhere. Kulanu donated a Sefer Torah to the community, along with siddurim , machzorim , and other Judaica . [2] [3]
According to the U.S. Department of State, there have been no known acts of antisemitism in Ivory Coast. [1]
In 2017, a Jewish conversion panel traveled to Abidjan to finalize the conversion of 42 people to Judaism. Converts were immersed in a mikveh and male converts were circumcised. [4]
In 2018, a Chabad house was established in Abidjan to primarily serve Israeli residents and visitors. [5] The Chabad house in Abidjan is the seventh community founded by Chabad of Central Africa, which maintains a presence throughout Central and West Africa. [6]
In December 2022, representatives of Jewish communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa met in Abidjan in order to create an umbrella organization to represent Jewish communities throughout Central and West Africa. The group announced plans to build a new synagogue in Abidjan. [7]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Cote d'Ivoire" . U.S. Department of State . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "JEWS IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE" . Kulanu.org . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "CÔTE D'IVOIRE" . Kulanu.org . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "In Cote D'Ivoire, A Jewish Community Is Born" . The Forward . 22 November 2017 . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "How the Jewish community in Côte d'Ivoire is helping to build peace after war" . University of Washington . 4 February 2020 . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "Raised in the Congo, She Will Now Start Up Chabad in Ivory Coast" . Chabad.org . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
- ↑ "Sub-Saharan Jewish communities meet in Abidjan" . Africanews . 20 December 2022 . Retrieved 2023-03-14 .
External links
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