| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 21 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Gaborone | |
| Languages | |
| English | |
| Religion | |
| Judaism |
Thehistory of theJews inBotswana is relatively modern and centered in the city ofGaborone. Most Jews in Botswana are Israelis and South Africans.[1]
In 1938, with the rise ofNazism in Europe, the colonial authorities in Botswana,South Africa, andGreat Britain attempted to resettle some Jewish refugees in Botswana to leverage their capital and agricultural skills to help improve the territory’s struggling economy. However, the outbreak of theSecond World War in 1939 abruptly ended these efforts.[2]
In 1994, the Botswana Jewish community drafted a constitution and created its first committee. RabbiMoshe Silberhaft, spiritual leader to the African Jewish Congress, made a special visit to Gaborone to participate in the meeting where it was decided to call the community the Jewish Community of Botswana.[3]
In 2003, the Jewish community in Botswana appealed to local authorities to remain vigilant against terrorism, in line with PresidentFestus Mogae's "zero tolerance" stance on crime. This initiative is supported by the African Jewish Congress, which assists Botswana's Jewish population in maintaining protective measures amid global concerns about anti-Semitic and terror-related threats.[4][5]
As of 2020, an estimated 21-100 Jews lived in Botswana, with almost all living inGaborone. The community is predominantlyIsraeli Jews working in agriculture, business, and industry.[6]
No synagogues exist in Botswana. During major religious holidays and times of prayer, the African Jewish Congress and theSouth African Jewish Board of Deputies assist visiting Jews.[7] Religious services forShabbat and theJewish holidays are held in private homes withKosher meals provided.[8] Jews in Botswana are buried in non-Jewish cemeteries, as there is no Jewish cemetery in the country.[citation needed]Kosher food is delivered through the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.[citation needed]
Botswana and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1972.[9] Botswana renewed diplomaticrecognition of Israel in 1993.[10]
In 2012, six Israeli companies employed over 1,000 Batswana citizens to cut and polish diamonds.[11]
In 2012,Ben Gurion University (BGU) agreed to facilitate a new institution called theBotswana International University of Science and Technology. BGU will be in charge of teaching and building the university's research capacity. Students from Botswana will also be invited to Israel to complete their studies before returning to build the staff of the university. According to Israeli ambassador Dan Shaham: "Some 250 students will be selected to begin their studies in the coming months. More and more students and more and more subjects will be added gradually, until it becomes a real university."[12]
In May 2021, theBaruch Padeh Medical Center sent a delegation of Israeli doctors to assist Botswana during theCOVID-19 pandemic. The Israeli delegation partnered with theSir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in Gaborone.[13][14]
As of June 2021,Ofra Farhi serves as the non-resident Israeli ambassador to Botswana,Namibia,Zambia, andZimbabwe.[15]
