Zambia

Information

CJC Vice President: Shalomi Abutbul

Community Organisation: Council for Zambian Jewry

Demography

There are only about 35 Jews living in Zambia now, based in Lusaka, the capital.

History

The Jewish community was first established in Livingstone, Zambia in 1905. Europeans (including Jews mainly from Latvia and Lithuania) emigrated to what was then Rhodesia, attracted by the economic opportunities found in cattle and mining.

By the mid 1950s, the Jewish population reached 1,200 and had moved to Lusaka.

Following independence in 1964, many emigrated.

In 1978, the Council for Zambian Jewry was established to look after the needs of the community.

Public Life

Zambian Jews have played an active role in politics.

Simon Zukas was key to Zambian independence and served as a government minister.

Community Life

There is one synagogue in Zambia: Beit Talmidim in Lusaka - the only active place for practicing Judaism.

Rabbi Silberhaft, the 'travelling rabbi', serves the community when needed.

Kashrut

Kosher food is scarce in Zambia.

Affiliations

African Jewish Congress

Commonwealth Jewish Council

World Jewish Congress