Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Inside Nigeria's Jewish Community

They pray like Jews. They study like Jews. They keep the Jewish dietary laws. They observe the Jewish Holidays. But are they Jews?

Igbo Jews are members of the Igbo people of Nigeria who practice a form of Judaism. They either adopted Judaism newly, or are descendants of the Jews of Bilad el-Sudan. 

Over the past decades, some of members of the Igbo have migrated to Israel and especially to Tel Aviv, to fully connect themselves with their religion and ancestries. This wave of immigration can also be explained by the strong diaspora established in Israel since Nigeria was granted independence in 1960.

Nevertheless, the Igbo Jewish community is not recognized by the Israel's Supreme Court or by any other Jewish religious group. Indeed, while they identify themselves as part of the worldwide Jewish community, they are still struggling to be recognized by other Jews.

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