Israeli Jewish organisation, The Chabad of Nigeria, has appointed Mendy Sternbach as its first ever Rabbi in charge of Lagos centre.
Rabbi of Israel to Nigeria announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday.
Sternbach, 27, said that his appointment alongside his wife Mazal, 22, marked the Chabad’s 11th presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
His task is to promote Jewish relief work in Lagos.
Sternbach recalled that while simultaneously studying in New York and Israel to earn rabbinic ordination since 2014, he always returned to Nigeria for almost every Jewish holiday.
He said Chabad House was opened to serve about 450 Jewish in Africa’s most populous city.
Sternbach noted that the establishment of the Chabad centre is apt, coming at the time many organisations and foundations cut-back on their activities.
“Nigeria had so far recorded 60,000 coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths till date, and Chabad has been more active than ever before”, he said.
The Rabbi added that despite current challenges, the country has tremendous economic potential and with its growth the Jewish community is expected to grow as well.
