Zimbabwe

Information

Demography

There are between 200-800 Jewish people living in Harare, Bulawayo and Kadoma.

History

The Lemba Jews originated from Yemen, possibly thousands of years ago. They look and sound like the Shona tribe, having to blend in prior to colonisation to keep their religious practice a secret, whilst maintaining their observance and customs.

In the mid 19th century, the British colonised Rhodesia, attracting immigration from Europe, including Jews mainly from Russia and Lithuania.

In 1894, the first synagogue was built in Bulawayo. Synagogues were also established in Harare and Gwelo.

In 1898, the Central African Zionist Organisation was created in Bulawayo, but has since moved to Harare.

Immigration increased during WW2 as refugees and then Holocaust survivors fled Europe. 

In 1943, the Rhodesian Jewish Board of Deputies and Zionist Council were established.

Economic prosperity post WW2 brought futher immigration, especially from Belgium, South Africa and the United Kingdom in the 1960s.

A Sephardic synagogue was inaugurated in 1950.

The Rhodesian Jewish community assisted in developing transport links and the mining business.

After independence in 1964, many Jews emigrated to Israel and South Africa.

Community Life

There are a few synagogues in Zimbabwe - Harare and Bulawayo - and mainstream Orthodox Judaism is practiced.

Modreck Maeresera leads the Lemba Community, having studied at yeshivah in Israel.

Rabbi Nathan Asmouda is the resident rabbi at the Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Bulawayo.

Kashrut

Kosher food is scarce in Zimbabwe.

Education

Youth

There are Zionist youth groups as well as B'nei Akiva in Zimbabwe.

Affiliations

African Jewish Congress

Commonwealth Jewish Council: Observer Status only as Zimbabwe is no longer part of the Commonwealth

World Jewish Congress