African Jewish Voices Turns One: A Year of Amplifying Our Stories.

Anniversaries are significant milestones that provide us with an opportunity for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment. They remind us of where we started and where we aspire to go. For African Jewish Voices, our one-year anniversary is a testimony that there is Torah in Africa and that African Jewish identity is vibrant, resilient, and growing.
I recall vividly a conversation back in 2018 with a Jewish brother, Ariel Ben Yehudah. He asked me earnestly, “Rishon, who will speak for us? We are serious in our observance; we don’t joke with Shabbat. We are studying daily, and some of us are even communicating in Ivrit. How will the world hear us?”
That question resonated deeply with me. Today, just a few years later, African Jewish Voices has made a name for itself, amplifying the voices of Jews in Africa on a global scale. Over the past year, the publication has cemented its place as a leading Jewish media platform, not just in Africa but worldwide. It has delivered insightful content on various topics such as Jewish festivals and celebrations, sports, music, education, food security, antisemitism, book reviews, and Jewish entrepreneurship. Since it was officially launched in February 2024, African Jewish Voices has rapidly grown, but its roots trace back to over seven years of Jewish media work in Nigeria. What began as a localized effort gradually expanded to encompass voices from across the continent, culminating in the creation of a dedicated pan-African platform for Jewish storytelling.

Managed by the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation, an independent media platform and parnassah network, African Jewish Voices has become a beacon of Jewish expression from Africa. I recall my first encounter with the visionary editor-in-chief, Avraham Ben Avraham, who is also the brain behind the AJV magazine. He encouraged me to join their team of writers, emphasizing the importance of giving Jews in Africa a future on the global stage.
“We must establish our presence officially all over Africa,” he declared with conviction. True to his words, he has successfully established an official presence in two African countries — Nigeria and Uganda within a year. Within just one year of its inception, African Jewish Voices boasts a team of about ten talented writers on its network. This dedicated team has played a crucial role in the publication’s success.

One of the most remarkable achievements of African Jewish Voices is its ability to publish two magazine editions within a year: “A New Dawn” and “Light at the End of the Tunnel.” These digital editions, featuring 20 insightful articles, have been warmly received by readers worldwide. How exciting to see it’s already one year, as we can remember when the African Jewish Voices magazie made its debut on Purim, with Gihon Hebrew Synagogue as the host venue. This accomplishment is a clear testament to the magazine’s commitment to evolving and meeting the diverse needs of its audience.
Equally important is the team behind the magazine. The chief editor, Avraham Ben Avraham, leads a group of passionate editors, proof readers, photographers, and writers, some of which includes the likes of Eben Cohen, Nonso and Netzach Ekwunife, Deborah Elom, and myself, Rishon Ben Avraham. The magazine’s graphic designer, Roscabel Media is regarded as one of the best in African Jewish media- bringing creative brilliance to each edition. Our collective creativity and dedication are the driving forces behind the magazine’s success.

The hard work and excellence of the team have not gone unnoticed. A Jewish friend in the United States, Raphael David, hinted the importance of milestone when I mentioned the upcoming anniversary.
“This anniversary is as much about celebrating the team’s hard work as it is about honoring the news platform and the magazine itself. African Jewish Voices is one of the best pan-African Judaism network worldwide. I love your team; keep it up.”
Of course, none of these achievements would have been possible without the unwavering support of our readers. Their feedback, engagement, and loyalty have been invaluable. Within just a year, they have not only consumed the website and magazine’s content but have also shaped its direction, guiding it to remain relevant and responsive to their needs. The platform has become an academic resource and a historical archive for international students, researchers, and curious readers alike who turn to African Jewish Voices to gain insight into the lives of African Jews.

As we celebrate 365 days of a journey of faith, culture, and media, it is also a time to look ahead to the future. There are endless possibilities waiting to be explored. Our chief editor described the anniversary achievement in the most positive way.
“The journey has just begun; let’s double up.” This milestone captures the essence of our mission — to continue growing, evolving, and making a difference in the global Jewish community.”
Looking forward, the platform aims to expand its reach, produce even more compelling content featuring stories from Southern Africa, and establish official presences in additional African countries. The vision is clear: African Jewish Voices will continue to be a platform that amplifies African Jewish perspectives while fostering connections with the global Jewish diaspora.
In conclusion, this one-year anniversary is not just a celebration of how far we have come but also a promise of where we are headed. It is a reminder of the power of determination, vision, and community. Here’s to many more years of success for African Jewish Voices. We remain committed to echoing the voices of Jews in Africa and showcasing their stories to the world. Mazal Tov!