History of the Jews in Botswana
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 21-100 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Gaborone | |
| Languages | |
| English | |
| Religion | |
| Judaism |
| Part of a series on |
| Jews and Judaism |
|---|
The history of the Jews in Botswana is relatively modern and centered in the city of Gaborone. Most Jews in Botswana are Israelis and South Africans.[1]
History
Only about 100 Jews lived in Botswana during the 2000s, with almost all living in Gaborone. The community was predominantly Jewish Israelis working in agriculture, business, and industry. No synagogues exist in Botswana. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies provides rabbis for the community during the High Holidays. Services are typically held at Jewish homes or at communal centers. Jews in Botswana are buried in non-Jewish cemeteries, as there is no Jewish cemetery in the country. Kosher food is imported from South Africa.
Botswana renewed diplomatic recognition of Israel in 1993. The Israeli representative in Botswana is the Israeli ambassador to Zimbabwe.
In May of 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana, the Baruch Padeh Medical Center sent a delegation of Israeli doctors to assist Botswana during the pandemic. The Israeli delegation partnered with the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in Gaborone.[2]
According to the World Jewish Congress, only 21 Jews live in Botswana. The Jewish community of Botswana is one of the youngest Jewish communities in Africa. The community is represented by the Jewish Community of Botswana, the Botswanan affiliate of the World Jewish Congress.[3]
Notable Botswanan Jews
- Benjamin Steinberg, a Botswanan cattle rancher and politician who was the first Treasurer of the Botswana Democratic Party and the first white Botswanan Member of Parliament in 1965.
See also
References
- ^ "Around the Jewish World in Botswana, African Jews Ask Leader to Be Vigilant Against Terror". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Botswana Virtual Jewish History Tour". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Community in Botswana". World Jewish Congress. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
External links
- Botswana, Jews Were Here