by Bonita Nathan Sussman
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
In her article appearing on EJewishPhilanthropy.com, Boni Sussman tells the untold story of a Jewish community growing in Abidjan, the capital of Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
It started as an outgrowth of the International Kabbalah Center founded by the Bergs about 50 years ago in which Kabbalah Centers were seeded throughout the continent of Africa. . . .
What happened in Abidjan and in other places, a group of practitioners came to believe and understand that to really practice kabbalah in the right way, one had to practice Judaism. They studied Hebrew, learned how to pray and celebrate Jewish holidays and some traveled to Israel to study with renowned Kabbalists and set up a community of practicing individuals in Abidjan.
Enjoying UTJ Viewpoints?
UTJ relies on your support to promote an open-minded approach to Torah rooted in classical sources and informed by modern scholarship. Please consider making a generous donation to support our efforts.
Bonita Nathan Sussman, known to everyone as Rabbanit or just plain Boni serves as Vice President of Kulanu, a group that deals with returning, emerging and isolated Jewish communities around the world. She and her husband Rabbi Gerald Sussman have traveled extensively throughout the globe, often accompanied by other UTJ rabbis and rebetzens, to support and welcome communities in their journeys to be become Jewish and become part of the Jewish people. Her photos and videos have been published and appear in documentaries and she has been published in various venues. She serves as a guest lecturer on topics related to her travels and about successes and challenges around developing new Jewish communities around the world
Bonita oversees the development of new Jewish communities for Kulanu. She serves on the editorial staff of the Kulanu Magazine and is board liaison to the Kulanu Academic Cohort (KAC). She also serves as educational advisor and consultant to new communities and is working to establish the Kulanu Global Teaching Fellows program, that aims to send rabbinical students to teach in Kulanu communities.
Boni's Youtube channel documents her visits with the communities and interviews their leaders in a very homespun way.
Boni Sussman has been connected to the UTJ since its inception. Her husband Rabbi Gerald Sussman has served on the board for many years and Boni served as chair of an educational seminar among other programs. Boni also served an an editor of the UTCJ newsletter and her home served as the address of the Halachic Fellowship, the precursors to the UTJ and Morashah.