Historic Interstate Jewish Wedding Rocks Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria.

In a grand celebration that has been hailed as a milestone in the history of Jewish communities in Nigeria, Mr. Hanoch Betzalel Ben Shaul of the Jewish Community in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state, and Miss Sarah bath Yaakov of Beit Yaakov in Presco, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on the 12th day of the month of Tevet, in the Jewish year, 5785 (12th January, 2025), tied the knot in a beautiful inter-state Jewish wedding. The ceremony, which took place at the compound of Elder Yaakov Alom in Izzi, Abakaliki local government, was a remarkable display of love, tradition, and community.
The strong bond between Jews of Ebonyi State and Jews in other states has been growing for years now. Many prominent Jews of Ebonyi who are making waves today actually married inter-states. Some had their wives from either Imo state, Abia state, Cross River state, Delta state, or other places outside their domain. Similarly, numerous Jewish women have tied the knot with members of other Jewish communities from different states. This was to show the existing strong bonds and unity among the Jews of Nigeria before now.

The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hanoch Shaul, who was born and brought up in the Kehilat Yisrael Jewish Community, Bucknor, Ejigbo Local Government Area of Lagos state, was clear evidence of this unity and love. The ceremony was attended by Jews from various states, including the leader of Uli Orthodox Jewish community, Yehoshua ben Kefa, Rosh Yochanan Ibeh of Adat Yehudim, Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi state; Sar Habakkuk Nwafor, the leader of Tikvat Israel, Biazhin, Abuja; and many dignitaries from both the bride’s and groom’s sides, including their parents, who were all in attendance to grease the occasion. Prominent individuals from both Uli and Abakaliki, especially those who are not Jewish, also came out in large numbers to witness the special occasion, many of whom had never seen a Jewish wedding before.

Traditional Jewish shawls of various colors beautifully decorated the huppah, ready for the arrival of the groom and bride. As the ceremony began, the venue filled to capacity, with everyone eagerly anticipating the sight of the groom’s parents escorting their son to the waiting huppah. This was immediately followed by the presentation of the bride, who came in a dancing movement and circled her groom seven times before she was taken into the canopy for the blessings. The occasion was conducted by a team of respected Jewish leaders, including Eliyahu Gaon, Alex Itumo from Beit Yaacov, Eben Cohen from Torah World Outreach, Abakaliki, Habakuk Nwafor, Baruch ben Abraham, and Nathan ben Abraham from Ohr Hakodesh Synagogue, Hilltop, Abakaliki.

As the seven blessings, known as the “sheva beachot,” were recited, the crowd erupted in jubilation, shouting “mazal tov” to the newlywed couple. But the moment the groom broke the glass cup, sealing the union, was met with another thunderous applause and cheers as family and friends went into a frenzy of cheers. It was a truly unforgettable moment, filled with joy, love, and celebration.
The wedding was a remarkable display of the strong bonds between Jewish communities in Nigeria and their commitment to preserving and promoting Jewish traditions and customs. As the newlywed couple began their new life together, they were surrounded by the love and support of their community and the knowledge that their union was a source of joy and inspiration to all who witnessed it.
In an interview, the groom, Mr. Hanoch expressed his gratitude to the community for their support and love.
“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. This wedding has brought our communities together, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”
The bride, Miss Sarah bath Yaakov, added,
“I am thrilled to be starting this new chapter in my life with my beloved husband, and I am grateful for the love and support of our community.”
As the celebration continued into the night, with music, dance, and feasting, it was clear that this interstate Jewish wedding would be remembered for years to come. The union was a shining example of the power of love and intercommunity relationships that strongly indicated the enduring traditions and customs of the Jewish people wherever they were.
The Jewish community in Nigeria, which has a rich and diverse history, has been growing and thriving in recent years. The Jewish community in Nigeria is spread across various regions, such as Anambra, Rivers, State, and Abuja, among others. Jewish presence in Nigeria is becoming increasingly prominent. This wedding indeed was a significant event in this context, bringing together Jewish communities from across the country to celebrate and strengthen their bonds.

The newlywed couple received gifts, blessings, and well-wishes from their friends and family as the night drew to a close. Personalities such as Itanyi from Adat Yehudim, Presco, and Abakaliki were there with friends and a congregation to grease the occasion with fabulous gifts for the newlywed couples. It was a truly unforgettable occasion that will remain in the memories of all those who attended for years to come as the couple began their new life together, they knew that they had the love and support of their community behind them, guiding their every step of the way.
The interstate Jewish wedding between Mr. Hanoch, who is the second son of the late Mr. Shaul and Mrs. Sarah Nolisa, and Miss Sarah bath Yaakov Alom (the daughter of Yaakov Alom), on 12th Tevet, 5785 (12th January, 2025), was the second interstate marriage between Ebonyi Jews and other state Jews this year, 5785 (secular year 2025), and serves as remarkable evidence of love, tradition, and community bond. It was indeed evidence of the strong bonds between Jewish communities in Nigeria and the commitment to preserving and promoting love, unity, peace, and progress among them. May their home be blessed abundantly, and may they be fruitful and raise sons and daughters who will be the pride of the Jewish world tomorrow.
