Chabad Lubavitch of Ghana
Chabad-Lubavitch in Ghana: the Majeskys' Accra centre since 2015, serving Israeli and other expatriate Jews, now building a $3 million permanent facility
| Chabad Lubavitch of Ghana
| |
|---|---|
| Type | Chabad-Lubavitch emissary operation |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder(s) | Yisroel Noach Majesky and Alti Majesky |
| Headquarters | Polo Heights, Accra |
| Area served | Ghana |
| Key people | Yisroel Noach Majesky and Alti Majesky |
| Remarks | Affiliations: Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa (Kinshasa); Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch. Website JewishGhana.org |
Chabad-Lubavitch in Ghana was set up in Accra in summer 2015 by Rabbi Yisroel Noach Majesky and his wife Alti, who moved from Crown Heights. They were appointed by Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila of Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa "in conjunction with Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky" of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch.[1] Before 2015 Chabad of Central Africa had sent rabbinical students to Ghana for holidays for more than 20 years. They held what Chabad calls the first bar mitzvah in Ghana, for an Israeli family.[1][2] By 2026 the Majeskys led "a community of hundreds of Jews—Israeli expats, American and European businesspeople". Having bought a property, they were building "a $3 million project that the community is largely funding itself".[3]
Emissaries and centre
- The Majeskys first visited Accra at Chanukah 2014 and returned four months later to lead a Passover seder.[3]
- The centre has a synagogue, a mikvah, a preschool and a kosher shop supplied by "containers with kosher food and Judaic supplies coming in regularly from Israel".[3][4] Majesky is a certified shochet (ritual slaughterer) and supplies kosher chicken locally.[5]
- The centre is at Polo Heights, Accra.[6]
- In August 2016 Majesky spoke to 400 university students in Accra "about key elements of Judaism".[5]
- In 2026 Majesky said: "The logistics of life are difficult ... We have to import everything, but it's worth it."[3]
The Jewish community
The community is expatriate, mostly Israeli. JTA quoted an Israeli mother in Accra who had previously brought kosher meat from Israel in her luggage.[5] No older Ghanaian Jewish body working with or alongside Chabad was found.
Relations with the state, business and Israel
No source was found describing Chabad of Ghana's dealings with the Ghanaian government, the Israeli embassy in Accra, or particular businesses.
Funding and donors
The new permanent facility (about $3 million) is "largely" funded by the local community.[3] No accounts or named donors were found.
Controversies
None found.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 1995–2015 | Visiting rabbinical students serve Ghana at holidays |
| Dec 2014 | Majeskys' first visit (Chanukah) |
| Summer 2015 | Majeskys settle in Accra |
| c. 2024 | Property bought for a permanent centre |
| 2026 | Construction of the $3 million facility under way |
See also
- Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Ghana
- Chabad Lubavitch of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Chabad Lubavitch of Nigeria
- Chabad Lubavitch of Ivory Coast
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chabad Lubavitch of Ghana, "Rav Noach and Alti Majesky", JewishGhana.org, accessed 20 October 2026 (written 2015). Chabad-side.
- ↑ Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa, "About Us", JewishAfrica.com, accessed 20 October 2026 (undated, c. 2012). Chabad-side.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Shloimy Galperin, "Getting Central Africa's Rabbis Into One Room Isn't Easy", Chabad.org, 10 June 2026. Chabad-side.
- ↑ Chabad.org, "Chabad Lubavitch of Ghana", Chabad Locator (Hebrew edition), accessed 20 October 2026. Chabad-side directory.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cnaan Liphshiz, "As Chabad grows in Africa, hardy rabbis encounter crime and spirituality", Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 7 September 2016. Press.
- ↑ Chabad Lubavitch of Ghana, "About Us", JewishGhana.org, accessed 20 October 2026. Chabad-side.