It is hard to believe I am in Africa.  It has always seemed like such a far off, strange and dangerous place.  If it’s not news of tribal wars or military coups, it’s wild animals or blazing sun.  Perhaps that’s why it hard to believe I am here – since my experience has been so normal.  Nigerians get up, work, eat, drive hang out with friends or family in the evening and call it a day.  Pretty similar to North American life, and the only obvious differences are lack of infrastructure and the craziness that goes along with that.

 

Today was our day of important meetings.  For the Jews here, they seem to feel that having a White American Rabbi come visit them gives them a large amount of status – status which they can use to gain more acceptance and further open doors.  Howard mentioned that there was a particular government official (non-Jewish) who was pissed that he wasn’t paid a visit last time Howard was here.  Who knew? So after a 45 minute ride into the center of the city, past the many, many different government buildings and offices, past some menacing soldiers guarding the compound, we were inside the Nigerian National Government.  For some hardworking people trying to build a Jewish Community, this was huge.  For me, and knowing the red tape and bureaucracy that is the Nigerian Government, and just being a little white Canadian guy with a camera, it was somewhat surreal to be touring Nigeria and meeting a Nigerian Minister. Perhaps like coming to America and having a quick visit with Rumsfeld.  We were shuffled around to a few more waiting rooms, taps at the door, hushed whispers, and finally our meeting.

 

Our other stop for the day was with Kingsley Ogudo, the President of the National Employees Union and also an observant Nigerian Jew.  I am told that the only ones in Nigeria who accumulate wealth and status are Government employees.  Attaining a position like this provides a certain amount of cushion.  For Kingsley to have achieved this role, especially President, as a Jew in a mainly Muslim network is tremendous.  A round of beers later in his office, our little group of touring Jews were soaking in their default role model.  When I got a chance to interview him, it also came to light that he is a strong Zionist with a deep love for Israel, and claims the back surgery he had there saved his life.  Unlike most American Jewish teens who go to Israel for an extra dose of Judaism, Kingsley is the only Nigerian Jew I’ve met who has been able to afford the privilege.

 

Back at the synagogue, Shabbat was coming soon and that meant time for people to prepare, and dress up.  Shabbat brought many more people to the synagogue than we had met previously.  After candle lighting, services and dinner (no real difference than how Shabbat in America is observed), I found myself in debate with three young guys, all well-studied and well-spoken.   Everything arose from female rabbis (they’re against it and most Women’s Lib.) to why Israel wasn’t helping them more (they wondered if the door was shut after Israel absorbed large amounts of Black people from the rescues done in Ethiopia).  It never occurred to me, but they also wondered why African Americans weren’t providing Nigerians more aide.   Interestingly, they knew about Hurricane Katrina and were shocked at the time that there were Black Americans living in that level of poverty. I asked if they were jealous of the gift-giving that Oprah Winfrey does every year in South Africa.  They hadn’t heard of her.