Bringing the Scent of Shabbat to the ‘Lone Jews’ of Tanzania

Rabbi Shimi and Chani Aziza have revived Jewish life in Tanzania, a country where Jewish presence once flourished but largely vanished after the 1960s.

Nigeria roots trace back to Yemenite, Polish, and Moroccan Jews who settled across the region. After decades of dispersion and the destruction of the Arusha synagogue, the Azizas established a new Chabad House featuring a synagogue, kosher grocery, restaurant, and mikvah. Since 2023, they've hosted Purim celebrations and weekly Shabbat gatherings—rebuilding a community from scratch.

Their efforts recall the historic Jewish presence in Tanzania from the late 1800s, through waves of immigration, to a quiet rebirth in the 21st century. The article celebrates the Azizas’ determination and Chabad’s mission to rekindle Judaism in forgotten corners of the world.

Read Original Article: CrownHeights.info

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