What Can You Do To Help Igbo Jewry?
The Igbo Israel community, which has suffered much over the past centuries at the hands of colonialist invaders and anti-Semitic nationalists, is determined to do Teshuva - to return to Chukwu Abiama (God of Abraham) and to the life of Omenana (Tora) - and needs your help.
There are many ways to provide material and spiritual support. You can help to provide Igbo Jews with books for study and religious articles for regular use in the Obi (synagogue) and at home. You can also help the Igbo Israel community strengthen and develop its infrastructure, providing much-need jobs and education to young Igbos in Nigeria. You can also help by donating your time - even the twenty seconds it takes to tell a friend about the Igbo Jews is an invaluable donation!
You Can Help To Spread Awareness About Igbo Jews:
Not many Jews are even aware that there are over 30 million Igbo Jews in West Africa! By spreading information about the Igbo Israel community, you can help strengthen the ties between them and other Jewish communities.
- Tell a friend about this website
- Publicize Igbo Israel in your local synagogue or Jewish center
Many rabbis and lay leaders within the global Jewish community are unaware of Igbo Jewry and their steadfast adherence to Omenana (Tora) throughout their long exile. Click here to download an informative flyer that you can print out and post in your local synagogue or Jewish center.
You Can Help Provide Books
Traditional Jewish education starts at the home. Igbo Jews across Nigeria long to pray in the synagogue and study the holy words of the Tora but lack the necessary books to do so. The following books are needed by Igbo Jews:
- Siddurim. Hebrew-English prayerbooks from all denominations will go a long way in aiding the formation and development of the Igbo Israel synagogues, as more and more Igbo Jews are equipped with the traditional Jewish "tools" of prayer.
- Humashim. Hebrew-English pentateuchs and bibles - especially with translations based on the Targum Onqelos - are needed to help bring the text of the Tora back to Igbo Israel community, for home study and for public use.
- Hebrew Language. As they return to observant practice, Igbo Jews wish to learn Hebrew, the language of their ancestors. They need any and all books and other educational media that can help them study the "language of the Temple."
- Mysticism. Igbo Jews are very interested in the inner dimensions of Tora study and wish to develop their own understanding of the classical works of Jewish mysticism and spirituality.
Interested in helping to provide the Igbo Israel community with the Jewish books they need? You can either donate your used books or help to purchase them from discount booksellers.
You Can Help Provide Religious Items
The following religious articles are needed by Igbo Jews:
