By: Abraham Ben Abraham Presented By: Deborah Bat Habakkuk
The Rabbi of Temple Emmanuel – Rabbi
Wayne Franklin
The Ima of Temple Emmanuel – Mrs.
Anne Franklin
Our own very good friend –
Professor William Miles
The Rosh of Synagogues here
present
Members of our synagogue in Abuja, as well as
representatives from other synagogues in other parts of Nigeria.
Other distinguished guests
And all the children in our midst.
You’re all Welcomed to Tikvat
Israel Synagogue Abuja
Prof. Miles, Rabbi Wayne, Mrs. Franklin, Jator, Father Thomas
I’m so happy to welcome every one
of you to this great occasion – of the inauguration of the Rabbi Wayne Franklin
Guest Quarters Abuja. How amazing to see this historic moment in this
life-time, which is a great reason I will never stop to give thanks to the Holy
One of Israel (Blessed is He)- who has indeed made all this to come to pass.
The history of Judaism in Nigeria
dates back to many years ago – and we here at Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja
have continued to play our part in ensuring the sustenance of this faith. Today Judaism has spread so quickly across the
south eastern, south southern and south western regions around the country. We
have Jews in Anambra state and Delta state, Enugu as well as in Ebonyi State,
and also a good number of them in Rivers State, and in Lagos. There are also
emerging Jewish communities in Akwaibom State and in other remote locations.
But although we do not specifically know the exact population- one can tell
from the brit milas and bar/bart mitzvahs witnessed across the country- as an
indication that we are indeed growing in number.
Rabbi Wayne, Professor Miles and Abuja Youths
As we continue to witness this
fast growth, there is the need to make sure everyone is on the right path. So
instead of allowing emerging and existing Jewish congregation to function
separately with little or no cooperation with other synagogues – the focus is
to achieve unity to a great extent. Therefore, strengthening the Judaism
Network is a paramount thing – a task all must join hands to achieve no matter
how long this could take to happen.
Today, Kulanu is leading the
mission of discovering remote, emerging and existing Jewish synagogues – with
the primary objective aimed at fostering strength and unity. The members of
Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja are grateful to the management of Kulanu for the
massive support so far. And as we gather here today for the opening ceremony of
the synagogue Guest House – the Nigerian Jews are absolutely grateful for the
financial support of Rabbi Wayne Franklin as well as that of the loving members
of Temple Emmanuel synagogue in Rhode Island, United States. This 5-unit guest
house was started in 2013 by Sar Habakkuk but was temporarily abandoned due to
lack of capital and the need to focus on more pressing needs that included the
erection of the new synagogue building. But nevertheless, Hashem came to our
rescue through Rabbi Wayne Franklin – by giving the synagogue a new colorful
look in this 2018 as a result of the completed new guest house.
Deborah Bat Habakkuk & Professor William Miles
The Rabbi Wayne Franklin Guest Quarters is open to all Jews who are
on a temporary or short visit to Abuja. We’re also calling on Jews residing
abroad, who intend to visit Jewish Nigeria – to be less bothered about paying
for hotel accommodation – as we are more than happy to have them as guests
within the walls of the synagogue.
Let me use this opportunity to
mention a few names that have played a significant role in the past towards
strengthening Judaism in Nigeria. The likes of Rabbi Howard Gorin, Harriet
Bograd, David Tobis, Professor William Miles, Daniel Limor, Jeffery Davidson, Rabbi
Dolinger, Daniel Okolie, Lucy Stenitz, Judy Manelis, Remy Illona, Late Emma
Shabbat, Late Sir Luke, Late Elder Ashar of Meir Elohim Synagogue, Ben Shane
Tov, Amy Chukwuma, Dr. Israel Abido, Ephrahim Uba and others who I cannot
mention in this speech due to time factor. We are forever grateful for the
encouragement and massive support, which are no doubt immeasurable. May the
Holy One of Israel (Blessed is He) reward you all exceedingly more than your
efforts and contributions.
Rabbi Wayne, Mrs. Franklin, Baruch, Issac Ben Abraham
Finally, I wish to thank every
one of you for coming to this event, especially the invited guests who have traveled far distances across land and ocean just to be here. And not
forgetting our brother s and sisters who were not able to make it for one
reason or the other. Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja is so pleased to welcome
every one of you. And we pray for a successful return journey for all our
brothers and sisters here.
Remain seated, eat, drink, dance,
enjoy, and do have a memorable occasion!
Ahead of the journey to the east,
announcements were made in the synagogue for two consecutive weeks. So once
again, it was another memorable moment to be attending another Bar Mitzvah in
Delta State this August. It’ll not be the first time members of Tikvat Israel
Synagogue Abuja will be invited to Asaba the capital. There was a Bar Mitzvah
around this same period last year, and we attended the ceremony with the Sefar
Torah. Indeed it was part of the mission of strengthening the Judaism Network in Eastern Nigeria embarked upon by Sar Habakkuk starting from last year.
Sar Habakkuk during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Asaba
Tikvat Israel Synagogue Abuja has
continued to play a lead role- pushing towards a united platform and growth of
Judaism. The first thing to notice upon visiting the synagogue located in Kubwa
is the New Face of the Synagogue. The ongoing construction has visibly changed
and turned the entire compound into a different new look.
However, before the journey to
Delta State I managed to sit down with the Rosh, Sar Habakkuk, to ask him some
questions; reflecting on the past, the present, and what’s about to come.
1. I started by asking him how it all began. What was his early
contact with Judaism like?
Tracing back to
the very start, he recalled it was a brother “Kish” who first introduced him to
Judaism in 2003. Although at that time, there were limited numbers of materials
available to learn more details about the Hebrew Traditions and majority of the
prayers conducted entirely in English language. But everything did suddenly
changed with the coming of Rabbi Gorin to Nigeria in 2004, which became the
turning point in History that lead to the early spread of Judaism around the
Igbo region of Nigeria. “Rabbi Gorin visited me in Kubwa Abuja and spent some
few days with us,” he recalled. There was indeed plenty things learned from
this great man during the brief moment he stayed with us.
Donations of
large copies of Jewish prayer books and other materials, including books
written about the history of the Jews was among the remarkable things done by
the Rabbi. Other significant impact also made was the building of schools,
libraries, and giving the Sefar Torah to a Synagogue in Akwa Ibom State
(Southern Nigeria). This is the reason till date I continue to Acknowledge Rabbi Gorin For his selfless contribution to the growth of Judaism In Nigeria.
2. What you do before the switch to Judaism?
Before the
switching over to Judaism, I was playing the role of a High Priest under the
Messianic circle which was predominant at that time. Animal Burnt sacrifices
were common during the early days until he came to the
revelation that sacrifices can only be made in the Temple (the place chosen by
the Holy One of Israel) according to the Torah. Hence, since the Temple in
Jerusalem no longer stands, the idea of abandoning the offering of burnt sacrifice
became more understandable.
3. How would you describe the spread of Judaism in Present day
Nigeria?
His reply was a
brief one- we’re growing every day by the number. The children are also growing
and many now being born directly into the faith. How exciting to witness more
and more Bar/Bart Mitzvah happening in several synagogues. It’s a true
indication that Judaism is on the path of growth in Nigeria.
4. You began the mission to strengthen the Judaism Network in
Eastern Nigeria last year by touring several synagogues in the east with the
Sefar Torah. What has been the impact so far?
“The essence of
the tour was to identify with other Jewish Synagogues in order to extend a hand
of cooperation among the Igbo Jews living in the east and beyond,” he said.Thanks to the books donated by some of our Jewish
friends in America- many beneficiaries were happy to receive these free
materials; to boost their knowledge about Jewish customs and traditions. Taking
the Sefar Torah which is the symbol of Judaism, to a number of synagogues
helped to bind us together and establish the fact of our oneness in Judaism.
The visit of Professor William Miles to Avishai Synagogue Nkpor and the Sabath Keeping in Beth Shalom Knesset Awka were also part of the mission to strengthen the
growth of Judaism in Nigeria and make the Igbo Jews more united. As you know,
Hezekiah is also currently on teaching tour- going beyond Eastern Nigeria
further into the Southern region and Lagos in the West. So far, the overall
impact has been positive and encouraging.
5. What are the challenges facing most of the Nigerian Jews?
Based on most of
my travels around, my findings and from the interaction with the Rosh of
several synagogues as well as members both the young and the elderly ones;
there are many challenges but let me briefly mention just a few general and the
most pressing ones:
Lucy Steinitz At Tikvat Israel SynagogueAbuja last Yom Kippur
Discrimination within the society by others
especially the non-Jew
Majority of the youths are not gainfully
employed
Some of the lucky ones who are employed can be
subjected to work on the Shabath and other Sacred Feast for fear of losing their
jobs
Absence of a practical Hebrew school for
learning how to read, write and speak the Hebrew tongue fluently.
Most of the Synagogues cannot afford to get a
Sefar Torah of their own.
Many Jewish Children skip the ceremony of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah due to the absence of the Sefar Torah within the location of their Synagogue.
No real Jewish-owned job creation or skill
acquisition centers in the country to offer valuable practical training to our
Jewish brothers interested in adding value to themselves and enable them adapt
economically to an extent.
6. Do you think it’s about time the first ever Jewish settlement
community should be established in Nigeria?
“Absolutely yes,
Nigeria is ripe for that and of course it’s long overdue,” he replied.
There are vast areas of uninhabited lands
especially within Eastern Nigeria that can serve the purpose of housing a
significant number of Jews living together as one community. We have the growing
numbers and the idea of living together, supporting each other, working
together in our businesses and putting our kids through the rightful pathways early in life
is already being shared by many.
He ended by stating his wish to see this
coming into existence in the near future.
7. Tell
me about the ongoing construction project which has indeed given the
surrounding of the synagogue a new face.
The ongoing project is indeed a thing of joy to all the members of the Synagogues, and could be completed by the end of November.
The Guest House was initially started by Sar Habakkuk in 2013 and stopped around 2015 due to lack of capital and the need to focus more on the project of expansion of the synagogue's main building. Upon the completion of this visitor's lounge, it would be named as Rabbi Wayne Franklin Guest Quarters.
8. Finally,
I believe there’re a number of people you wish to thank in appreciation for
their contribution to the growing success we have seen?
Others I also
wish to thank are Daniel Limo for bringing us some Tefelins a couple of years
ago. I’m also grateful to Judy Manelis and others for their generous donations
of Jewish books that have been distributed in several numbers of synagogues
throughout Nigeria.
Also worth mentioning is Lucy Steinitz for the assistance
given to Hezekaih while he was on transit in Addis Ababa on his way to Uganda.
She was also here in Nigeria last year during the Yom Kippur, conveying some copies
of the Hebrew Prayers books.
Others include Michael Freud, Naomi, the former
Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, and many others who have made a strong impact
that contributed to the overall successes we have achieved so far. I’m forever
indebted to every one of you.
