The sisters turning donated artefacts into a trove for Africa
THERE IS not much free space in Elizabeth Nortey’s lounge, in between the stacks of bags and boxes.
Ms Nortey is neither an obsessive hoarder nor in the process of moving.
Each box overflows with Judaica. There are countless tefilin, tallitot, kippot, siddurim, chumashim.
Here a seder plate, there some candlesticks. Dig deeper and there are haggadot, mezuzot and just about anything a Jewish household would ever need.
Ms Nortey, 42, and her sister, Rachel Lomotey, 50, launched an online appeal last month. In September the women, originally from Hull and now based in North London, will travel to west Africa to meet thriving Jewish communities and explore their heritage.
In planning the trip, they decided to seek donations of unwanted Judaica for the communities they will visit in Ghana and Nigeria. They spread the word at their children’s schools — Wolfson Hillel in Southgate, Alma Primary in Whetstone and JCoSS in East Barnet.
The response was astonishing, with further support coming from synagogues including Finchley Reform, Woodside Park and Kehillah in Stoke Newington. Donations have come from friends, family and complete strangers.
“We thought we would have a few excess bags but I’ve now had to get quotes from a shipping agent as we will probably have to send it all out on at least three or four palettes,” said Ms Nortey.
Both women are keen to spend the High Holy Days surrounded by members of the African communities. But they have an added motivation. Three years ago Ms Nortey lost her one-yearold daughter Aliza to sickle cell anemia. Her grief has been all-consuming, but she is eternally grateful for the support she received from those around her.
“For me that’s what the Torah is all about — bringing people together. Since I lost my daughter I’ve felt the need to give something back.”
Ms Nortey and Ms Lomotey’s father, Alfred, grew up in a Jewish community in Accra, capital of Ghana.
He arrived in England in his twenties and met their mother Cecelia through their shul in Hull.
While the sisters and their families are very familiar with their unique African Jewish heritage, their background often sparks curiosity.
Ms Lomotey said: “Straight away people ask ‘are you falashes? Are you from Ethiopia? Are you actually Jewish?’
“They’re usually quite shocked when we give them a bit of background. It’s good to get some exposure and let people know we exist.”
Ghana’s Jewish communities are now based in the smaller towns of Sefwi and Nsawam — both of which the sisters will visit. They will also travel to similar communities in Nigeria.
Some say the Sefwi tribe descended from Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492 and made their way to Morocco. From there, many were involved in the trans-Sahara trade, and there have been archaeological discoveries of Jewish cemeteries and synagogues in Africa.
While they may not always use the term “Jewish”, the traditions of these communities closely mirror those of Judaism. During the 1990s they started to foster links with the wider Jewish world through Kulanu, an organisation which seeks to “support isolated, emerging, and returning Jewish communities around the world”.
The women are financing the trip themselves but are fundraising for the several hundred pounds needed to cover the cost of the shipping.
Meanwhile, a buzz is building in both countries in anticipation of their visit.
“They are very excited and are looking forward to us arriving,” said Ms Lomotey.
“For a long time my sister and I have wanted to help the African Jewish communities, especially in Ghana and Nigeria, with the hope of reaching out to other communities across the continent.
“We have a good relationship with both communities and wanted to put heads together to create a sustainable community that will benefit all.”
Ms Nortey added: “We are overwhelmed and moved by the generosity of our friends and communities who have donated some wonderful things for the Jews of Ghana and Nigeria.”
https://thechesedfund.com/cause/ united-jews-of-africa