
Modreck Maeresera, leader of the Lemba Jewish community in Zimbabwe, will be speaking at Congregation Har HaShem on Saturday evening, November 7 at 7:00-8:30. Join us for havdalah and to learn about the renewal of his community. Mr. Maerasera comes to Boulder as part of the Kulanu speaking tour.
Although the Lemba have been cut off from the mainstream Jewish community for centuries, they have maintained the traditions of kashrut, Jewish dietary laws; ritual slaughter and circumcision. They also observe the Jewish Sabbath. Mr. Maeresera comes from a committed family of Lemba Jews and is deeply engaged in strengthening the Jewish identity of his Lemba community and reeducating them in Torah studies and Jewish ritual observance.
In his presentation, Mr. Maeresera will be sharing the story of his ancient community, their customs and observances, and the problems they are facing in their struggle to maintain their Jewish identity in the modern world. He will also focus on the intense Jewish educational program underway with volunteer Jewish educators and rabbis from around the world and the construction of the Great Zimbabwe Synagogue in Mapakomhere, a village in the Lemba heartland.