By: Abraham Ben Abraham
Introducing Yehudit Bat Yonathan (Guest Writer)
The Bar Mitzvah (for males) and
Bat Mitzvah (for females) ceremony represents the liberation of young Jewish
children into the realm of adult laws. Prior to the 13th year (for
boys) and for the girls (the 12th year), Jewish parents are
responsible for any wrongdoing committed by their children. For a young Jewish
boy or girl to become Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah therefore means they have
become “one to whom the commandments apply.” The celebration of “coming to age”
is usually one of the happiest periods in the lives of every Jewish child.
Majority grew up recounting the memories relating to the ceremony as they grow
into full adulthood.
All Roads Lead to the Rock Of Ages Synagogue Asaba
Rock of Ages Jewish Synagogue Asaba, Delta State |
The journey to the east got
underway shortly at the break of dawn. Because we weren’t going by air, it
would take us about 8 hours to complete the road trip through the middle belt
region of the country. It was on a Wednesday morning and we got a lift from the
chairman of the synagogue to the bus station in Kubwa area. We weren’t the only
ones hitting the road to Delta State- as Hezekiah was being expected to arrive same
day from Lagos. Other members from a number of synagogues in Anambra State
would be making their way across the River Niger into Asaba the state capital as well.
One of the most interesting parts
of the journey is the fact the Sefer Torah was in our company. Being my first
experience, I couldn’t help but cherish the whole moment of the historic
movement from the northern region to grace the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
Everything about the road trip was perfect because of the presence of the word
of G-d in our midst.
By the time we got to Asaba, we
were picked up by the Rosh and taken straight to the house. Yonathan Ben Okonji
only converted into Judaism about few years ago and currently constructing a permanent
synagogue building in the compound since 2010. The Rock of Ages Synagogue is
located at No. 8 Onyeka Ikediashi Street, off Temple Clinic, Anwai Road in
Asaba.
Meeting the 3 Celebrants
We knew nothing literally about
the identities of the celebrants, except that one of them is the second son of
the Rosh of the Asaba Synagogue. By the time we settled down into an apartment
at one end of the compound, some young boys fetched us some water for washing.
One of them is the other bar mitzvah boy who’s currently living in the home of
the Rosh. The next person was the daughter of the Rosh, Yehudit Bat Yonathan, and
she brought us some food which Sar Habakkuk and I needed so much after the long
road traveled.
Shimuel, Deborah, Abraham Ben Abraham, & Noach |
After the super, the Rosh joined
us and brought some kola and drinks to formally welcome us to his home. Then
came his lovely wife, who cleared the dishes after the brief introduction. They
were indeed a loving family with high sense of hospitality. Two other visitors
also arrived before nightfall, including Chazzan Iddo from Avaishai Synagogue
in Nkpor Anambra State.
It was a long night; one that
would not be forgotten in a long time. We sat around a table and talked till it
was around midnight. The surrounding was well lighted and the women were still
busy in the outdoor kitchen preparing the meal for the festival. We learned
about the bat mitzvah girl only that evening, and looked forward to meeting her
the following day.
The 3 celebrants are:
- Deborah Obodo
- Noach Ben Michael
- Shimuel Ben Yonathan
Setting A New Record
All three of them appeared in
high spirit the following day. The good thing was that we were blessed with a
clear and sunny sky that Thursday, unlike the previous day with many hours of rainfall.
By the time it was 10AM, people began to arrive at the synagogue including
members and other invited guests.
Hezekiah Moshe during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah Service |
Before the opening prayers,
Hezekiah and Chazzan Shimuel Iddo assisted the boys in wearing the Tefelin as
the custom demands. After the prayers, then it was time for offering, and then
followed by the Torah service. Unlike on a typical Shabath, there would be only
3 Aliya for the reading from the Sefer Torah. The first was taken by Sar
Habakkuk while the 2nd and 3rd by the two Bar Mitzvah
boys.
But the astonishing moment was
when Shimuel Ben Yonathan read from the Safer Torah for his ever first time in
life. To the amazement of the audience in attendance, his voice roared clearly
around the room- piercing the silence inside the synagogue. After the Torah
service, the elders present commended the sharp brilliant reading skills
displayed by the young lad. Even Sar Habakkuk affirmed this feat the best he
has witnessed in a very long while. It was however not surprising when some
tagged Shimuel as the next Hezekiah- from the way he managed to read the Sefer
Torah without the support of the chazzans standing next to him.
A Re-Union With Ephrahim Ben David (The Jewish Tailor)
Customized Nigerian-made kippa |
My first meeting with the Jewish
tailor was during the visit of Professor William Miles to Avishai Synagogue in Nkpor. His years of consistency in the entrepreneurial venture were something
that first attracted me to Ephrahim. He has become popular from his making of
kippa, tallit, and several other Jewish-branded gift items for both male and
female. During the gathering at Nkpor last year, Ephrahim and the visiting
professor had some catch-ups to do, after he had gifted Miles a Nigerian-made
tallit some years ago.
Ephrahim the Tailor & Wife, Imma Sarah |
Ephrahim was one of the visitors
who arrived before nightfall to join Sar Habakkuk and I at the guest apartment
in Asaba synagogue. We equally had some catch-ups to do since we haven’t seen
this year, and then of course I asked him what’s his next best move was like.
At the break of dawn the following day, he showed me all his latest designs of
Jewish items he makes. I also finally had to meet his lovely wife, Imma Sarah who
co-owns the small business with her husband. He hinted me about his next move
to display his goods in an online shop front so he can leverage the power of
the internet to reach more people around the world. His efforts have always
been focused towards the export of standard Jewish-branded items to any part of
the globe.
Unveiling A Superb Artistic Gift At A Very Young Age
The synagogue building
under-construction is behind the residence of Rosh Yonathan. So when it was
break time, I sat with the young Shimuel who had brightened the hope of the
audience few moments ago. It was truly amazing to imagine the greater ability
and exploits younger Jews would achieve in the new future.
Sitting in the living room I
couldn’t help but admire some piece of drawings hanging on the wall. Unknown to
me, all the artistic works seen all over the room were created by the young
Shimuel. When he told me he wanted to study architectural engineering when he
grows up, I knew he was definitely on the right path with his artistic talent!
Shimuel displaying one of his favorite artistic drawings |
Before we returned back to the
synagogue, he had one request to make, which would be his little way of
welcoming the Rabbi scheduled to visit Nigeria in the coming months. He planned
to present a painting of the Rabbi and his lovely wife upon their arrival to the
country for their first time. The presentation would take place on the Flagging
off ceremony of the Rabbi Wayne Franklin Guest Quarters in Abuja.
“But I don’t have the photos of
the Rabbi or the wife,” I told him. Of course he insisted, and suggested I can
get it from the Jewish professor who visited Anambra State the previous year.
Surprisingly, I never knew little Shimuel was present at Avishai Synagogue when
Sar Habakkuk and I accompanied Professor Miles to Anambra State for the tour
around Eastern Nigeria and Cameroon.
Presentation of Gifts
Sar Habakkuk Ben Yahudah & Eliada Chukwuma Ozoemena |
A paper was presented by Elder
Eliada Chukwuma Ozoemena, who has become known for his input in the area of
presenting intelligent and well-crafted papers during important Jewish
festivals around Eastern Nigeria and beyond. He’s a known poet, member of
numerous Jewish organizations in Nigeria, a government civil servant, and
published author of a number of books.
Then it was time for the
presentation of gifts to the celebrants. Sar Habakkuk was well prepared for
this as he had personally brought gift items from Abuja all along. He gave out
the following Jewish related items in front of the audience:
Deborah Obodo receiving free JPS Bible in Asaba |
- Kippa and JPS Bible each to the bar mitzvah boys
- JPS Bible to Deborah Obodo
- JPS Bible to a former bar mitzvah celebrant
- A Shabath book to Rosh Yonathan and his lovely wife, Imma Okonji Awele Virginia
- A copy of the Passover Haggadah each to the Rosh of Divine Seed Synagogue and Rock of Ages Synagogue
The occasion continued till the
early hours of the evening. There were several kinds of food and drinks for
everyone making the celebration worthwhile. Although for us, after we had cake,
it was time to get going to Nnewi (the home town of Sar Habakkuk) that same
Thursday, ahead of the preparation of the Shabath at Nkpor.
Observing the Shabath at Avishai Synagogue in Anambra State
How nice it was to visit the Avishai
Synagogue located at the topmost floor of a 4-storey building in Nkpor. The
last time I was here was almost nine months ago in the company of Sar Habakkuk
and Professor William Miles. Although that was during a weekday, but this time
around is on a Shabath day, with the Sefar Torah present in the service.
Chazzan Shimuel Iddo with two
other chazzans led the morning prayers (Shacharis) in the front of the small
hall. Since it was very important for the bar mitzvah boys to read from the
Sefar Torah again, Rosh Yonathan came with his wife and family from Asaba to
join the service. The Aliyah as usual on a typical Shabath service was given to
seven people. It was a busy moment for the Chazzans who assisted many of those
called up in reading the prayers before and after each reading in Hebrew
language. But once again, when it was time for Shimuel Ben Yonathan to read the
last part of the Parachat- he was again extraordinary! After saying the beginning
prayers, all the Chazzans simply retired back to their seats, knowing full well
the young man needed little or no assistance in reading from the Sefar Torah.
Rosh of 4 Synagogues during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremony |
After taking the “bread and wine”
at break time, we were all treated to a Shabath meal of rice, stew and fish; by
the Rosh, Emmanuel Ikegbunam Ben Abraham and his lovely wife. Elder Yiddo took
a brief moment to welcome every person who came for the service at the
synagogue. He was full of praise and admiration for how the little Shimuel
quickly mastered the Hebrew reading. He prayed that may Hashem reward the
parent of the young boy for their efforts in guiding their son to the true path
early in life. Sar Habakkuk also used the opportunity to thank this great
Jewish parent and requested he would like to see him read again the following
Shabath at Divine Seed Synagogue where the Sefar Torah would be going next.
Mincha, Maariv and Havdalah at Yisrael Amika Synagogue Nnewi
Apart from the Avishai Synagogue,
we also had the Yisrael Amika Synagogue in our schedule for the day. Sar
Habakkuk stressed the importance of the visit to the synagogue to see how the
place is moving, especially after the demise of the Rosh. When we arrived the
place looked empty except for the chazzan and a very few others. They were happy
for the unexpected visit, which kindled the hope that services will continue to
hold in the synagogue. The loss of Emmanuel Ben Moshe, the Rosh and founder of
the synagogue, indeed created a lot of vacuum that must take collective efforts
from other Jews in the state to have a positive outcome.
We joined them for the Mincha prayers,
Maariv and stayed back as well for the closing Havdalah prayers. Leaving them
with the words of encouragement- Sar Habakkuk challenged them to sustain the
glory of the synagogue and continue to keep the place fully functional. He
ended by saying that even though the father of the synagogue is no longer with
us, it’s the duty of the rest to unit more strongly and keep soaring higher to
the glory of Hashem and growth of Judaism in Nigeria.
A Brief Visit to an Oil Mill Workshop in Nnewi
Nnewi is one of the oldest towns
in Eastern Nigeria with the highest concentration of production factories in a
location, owned by private individuals. It’s known as one of the busiest
industrial hubs in the Igbo-dominated Eastern part of Nigeria. The science of
production is practically carried out by good number of individuals and family.
Therefore to the eyes of many, Nnewi is generally considered as an industrial
town.
Chazzan Yehoshua, David & Sar Habakkuk in an Oil Mill, Nnewi |
The day after Shabath, being on
Sunday, Sar Habakkuk and I paid a surprise visit to the home of the chazzan of
Yisrael Amika Synagogue. His brother who was also a Jew was there to welcome us
with everything we needed. The compound was quite a big one with several flower
plants and tall trees. Behind the compound, there is a small oil mill owned and
operated by the chazzan, Yehoshua Ben Melek Israel. He was trained by the late
Rosh, “Emma Shabath,” so which means the duty of keeping the synagogue active
and functional is fully rested on this young man.
He took Sar Habakkuk and I around
the small locally-built factory, explaining how the machine works. From what we
discovered, although he operates the equipment seasonally; but if more capital
is injected into the venture it would run all through the year bringing in
substantial profit, and one or two additional persons can be employed.
Before we left, Sar Habakkuk
encouraged him to remain steadfast both at work and in keeping the synagogue
functional. For us, it was going to be a long week till the next Shabath when
the Sefer Torah will be taken to the Divine Seed Synagogue located in Neni,
Anambra State.
Jewish mothers and invited guests for the ceremony |
5th Visit of the Sefer Torah/Combine Service At
The Divine Seed Of Adonai Synagogue Int’l Inc
By Yehudit Bat
Yonathan.
Address of Synagogue: Plot 1, the divine seed close along teaching hospital umudioka village Neni, Anaocha L.G.A. Anambra state, Nigeria.
“More than yisrael has kept the Shabbat, it is the Shabbat that has kept yisrael.”-AHAD HA-'AM."More than yisrael has kept the Shabbat, it is the Shabbat that has kept yisrael". Thus did the brilliant Hebrew essayist, AHAD HA-'AM, epitomized the historical significance of the Shabbat for the Jewish people. Nor is Ahad Ha-'am alone in his exalted opinion of the role that the Shabbat has played in the history of the Jews.Even in the ancient times the Shabbat was singled out as the most important of all the festivals. It was only the Shabbat that was included in the Ten Commandments wherein the Hebrew were enjoined to "Remember the Shabbat day, to keep it holy". This was what the Jews in Nigeria did on 21 Elul 5778/ 1st September, 2018. A combined service which comprises of five or more synagogues in Nigeria was held at the Divine Seed of Adonai Synagogue Umudioka village Neni in Anaocha L.G.A. of Anambra state.The prayer started around 8 am and was lead by chazzan Sh'muel Ben Yiddo who was later assisted by the bar mitzvah boys- Nitzach Ben Avraham, Noach Ben Michael and Sh'muel Ben Yonathan. After the morning prayers ( Shacharis), everyone proceeded to the Kiddush area where they blessed the wine, Hallot (bread) and Shabbat meal then they all ate together as one family. In equal vein, Sar Habakkuk educated the flocks during study about the upcoming festivals of Hashem- Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot and the importance of the symbolic foods.During the course of study, sar Habakkuk promised to take the bar mitzvah boys to Abuja and train them so they will be perfect in reading the SEFER TORAH. How wonderful to experience different synagogues in Nigeria coming together and worshiping Hashem in this 21st century just like in the ancient times.
Shalom!
As we continue to push towards
the establishment of a practical Jewish Settlement Community in Nigeria, there
are little preliminary things that could happen beforehand. Hezekiah and I
talked much about it at length when we met at Asaba after my earlier interview with him in Abuja concerning his current teaching tour around synagogues in Nigeria.
Hezekiah Moshe & Chazzan Shimuel |
He reiterated his commitment to
leverage the internet technology to spread and sustain the growth of Judaism
around the country. From the numerous experiences gained from his ongoing tour
visiting Jews in their various synagogues, he has been documenting and
confirming all the locations of Jewish homes in Nigeria. In the new Tikvat
Israel Synagogue Abuja website currently under consideration, there would be a
directory of all the synagogues in the country. But for easy access to more
Jewish information, Hezekiah said it will be more innovative to create a Mobile
Android App (MAA) that would serve as an information directory for all Jews in
Nigeria, capable of capturing news about upcoming Jewish feasts, Bar Mitzvahs,
Brit Mila, Invitation for Jewish Weddings, important announcements, etc. No
doubt, it would be a great improvement as the app will be made free for all
Nigerian Jews and others to download and use it at all times.
Finally, I want to use this
opportunity to thank all our readers across the world for their continued support, and to
those who have contributed cash and materials- we are forever grateful to you
all.
Shana Tova once again!
Shalom!
Shalom!
Shalom!
(1) OBSERVING THE PESACH, PURIM AND SHAVUOT WITH THE REST OF THE JEWS ALL OVER THE WORLD
(3) REMEMBERING ELDER IMMANUEL UZOEWULU FOR HIS ROLE IN THE EARLY GROWTH OF JUDAISM IN NIGERIA
(4) THE NEW FACE OF OUR SYNAGOGUE: AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SAR HABAKKUK BEN YAHUDAH
(4) THE NEW FACE OF OUR SYNAGOGUE: AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SAR HABAKKUK BEN YAHUDAH
It's a well articulated rendition,captured in the recent happenings in this part of the Jewish world. I am grateful, it's being actualized in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteBaruch Hashem!
Thanks for your lovely comment Elder Eliada Chukwuma Ozoemena. It's so great to hear from you!
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