By Nonso Ben Ruak.

Abuja Nigeria

Judaism in Nigeria has continued to grow exponentially in recent time as many people (mostly young people) in the West African country, especially from Igbo tribe of Nigeria join Judaism in numbers. This growth is majorly fueled by the fact that many Igbos have come to identify and also accept Judaism as a form (similar in practice) of religion practiced by their ancestors. Also, they have come to accept Jews as their kin having been identified and recognized by many as one of the lost tribes of Israel. This though is not without disagreement from people from both Jewish and Igbo divide who insist that Igbo people of West Africa and Jews are not related in any way. However, even in the mist of these disagreements a Jewish woman Debbie Isser is so committed to water Judaism in Nigeria and Africa.

The exponential growth of Judaism in Nigeria cannot be discussed without mentioning a project like Camp Sarah which is a Jewish camping program aimed at teaching Judaism to children aged 5-16. This is a brain child of Debbie Isser from Washington DC, United States of America—a mother of two; a girl and a boy, who is currently working in Nigeria. This program edition tagged Camp Sarah Simcha Torah Service (which is second program this year) was organized as a combine service in Gihon Hebrew Synagogue Abuja on Sunday 8th October 2023—a Simcha Torah day, for Jewish communities like Tikvet Israel Synagogue, Gihon Hebrew Synagogue and other people who are returning to Judaism. Camp Sarah program was first held as a one week Camping Program at Tikvet Israel Synagogue Abuja in August 2023.

Despite heaviness of heart caused by news of Sabbath day heinous terror attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on Saturday 7th October 2023, the program was kicked off with a Simcha Torah service according to Rabbinical Judaism. Flag of Israel was spread on prayer table and prayer was specially offered for those who were killed on the latest terror attack; a terror attack which has received strong condemnation from world leaders like United State President, Joe Biden, the Vice President, Kamala Harris, and Emmanuel Macron of France. Death toll has continued to rise in hundreds since the attack happened; this is according to media reports.

In the course of the Program (after the service), the visioner of Camp Sarah, Debbie Isser, why addressing the community—made up of women, men and children, said that the program was born out of her passion to see Jewish communities in Nigeria grow to the level of what is obtainable in her Jewish community in the United States and Jewish communities in other parts of the world. She stated that Camp Sarah started their program by sponsoring people to Jewish summer camp in the US before deciding to bring Jewish summer camp down to Nigeria in other to create more impact among Jewish Communities.
She said; “I told myself, instead of taking people to Jewish summer camp in the United States why don’t we bring summer camp down to Nigeria for greater impact, so that more people will benefit”. This decision she said has created great impact since Camp Sarah started. Speaking on the future of Camp Sarah, she said that what she plan is to expand the project beyond Abuja down to Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and other places so that Camp Sarah can be organized in other parts of Nigeria especially on Jewish Community levels. This she said is the next thing on the plan of Camp Sarah.

In her words, “what we plan is to take Camp Sarah to other part of Nigeria like Anambra, Enugu, Imo and others places where Judaism is being practiced”. She stated that she wants to see each Jewish community organize an independent Camp Sarah where Jewish children in Nigeria will start learning about Judaism from a very young age and in a fun way. This she hope to actualize by training Jewish youths who are to be drawn from different Jewish communities in Nigeria on the vision and mission of Camp Sarah; and also on other necessary skills they need so as to replicate the programs of Camp Sarah in their communities.

The program witnessed children completing their painting task on different events of Jewish History, as recorded in book of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Jewish songs were echoing in the air as people sing and dance in procession. Questions, merriment and vote of thanks by Jewish community leaders and members as well marked the end of the program. Camp Sara Simcha Torah Combine Service, (which was first organized in Tikvet Israel Synagogue Abuja in August 2023) was adjudged to be a great success with great hope of having a better and bigger program in years to come.

Chukwunonso Ekwunife
Former News writer with Africa Today News, New York
Author, poet and Singer.