A Jewish home in Lusaka rooted in Torah, open to every Jew regardless of background, and committed to building community and healing society — one act of kindness at a time.
תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם — לְתַקֵּן אֶת הָעוֹלָם
Our Philosophy
Tikkun Olam — literally "repair of the world" — is one of Judaism's most enduring calls to action. Rooted in the Mishnah and deepened through Lurianic Kabbalah, it holds that the world, though fundamentally good, was created with deliberate spaces for human participation in its completion.
At Tikkun Olam Zambia, Tikkun Olam is not an abstraction. It is the lived theology behind every programme, every membership tier, and every partnership we build — from Kabulonga to Chongwe and across Lusaka Province.
Every Jew — regardless of affiliation, background, or financial means — can participate in this sacred repair. Every act of tzedakah (justice-giving), gemilut hasadim (loving kindness), and communal gathering is a stitch in the fabric of a better world.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."Pirkei Avot 2:16 & Micah 6:8 — The Jewish Teaching on Human Responsibility
Three Pillars of Our Work
Building a warm, inclusive Jewish home in Lusaka for every Jew — resident, temporary visitor, or seeker. Weekly Shabbat gatherings, chaggim (festivals), lifecycle events, and a shared table that says: you belong here. No Jew in Zambia should feel alone.
Engaging Zambia's Jewish community with the depth and beauty of Torah through classes, study groups, and educational programming. From weekly parasha discussions to Talmud study, we bring 3,500 years of accumulated Jewish wisdom to the African continent.
Partnering with Zambian civil society, healthcare institutions, and educational bodies to translate Jewish values into practical service. From medical outreach to small business mentorship, we act on our belief that repairing the world is not optional — it is a mitzvah.
Our History
Eastern European Jews — largely from Lithuania, Latvia and South Africa — arrived in what was then Northern Rhodesia, drawn by commerce along the Line of Rail. They built shuls, Zionist institutions, and youth movements from Livingstone to Ndola.
At its height, the Zambian Jewish community numbered in the hundreds. Emigration to Israel, South Africa, and the UK gradually reduced the community to a handful of committed families. The Council for Zambia Jewry — affiliated with the World Jewish Congress — maintained the institutional thread.
The Gateway Jewish Museum in Livingstone was opened, housed within the Railway Museum precinct — honouring the pioneering spirit of the immigrant Jewish community and cementing Zambia's Jewish heritage in the national memory.
Rabbi Mendy and Rivky Hertzel of Chabad Zambia established the first resident rabbinate in over 75 years, bringing renewed energy, Shabbat programming, and a mission to make Jewish heritage a meaningful experience for every Jew in Zambia.
Founded by Izchak Pinkhas Efrati and Michelle Rachel Steinberg, Tikkun Olam Zambia Limited is established as a private company to provide the formal corporate structure needed to serve, fund, and grow the Jewish community of Zambia — with an NGO arm to follow.
How We Are Organised
Tikkun Olam Zambia Limited is governed according to both Zambian corporate law and traditional Jewish communal leadership structures. The Hebrew titles reflect our deep roots; the legal structure ensures accountability, transparency, and long-term institutional sustainability.
Join the Kehillah
Visionary founding members who establish the legal, financial, and spiritual foundations of Tikkun Olam Zambia. Full board voting rights and recognition in perpetuity.
Long-standing community members of distinction whose wisdom and experience guide the Kehillah. Advisory council seats and honoured representation at all communal events.
Full, participating members of the community with regular attendance and commitment to Kehillah life — Shabbat, chaggim, learning, and communal service.
Friends, allies, and well-wishers of the Jewish community — Jewish and non-Jewish alike — who support the mission through tzedakah and advocacy without full communal obligations.
Organisations, businesses, embassies, and institutions that partner with Tikkun Olam Zambia in programmes of Tikkun Olam, cultural exchange, and community development.
Founding Directors
Born in Jerusalem, Israel. A long-standing resident of Zambia whose roots in this nation span decades. Residing at Ibex Hill, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Izchak brings the grounding of personal lived experience in both Israel and Africa to the founding vision of Tikkun Olam Zambia.
Resident of Meanwood Ibex Hill, Chongwe, Lusaka Province. Serving as both founding director and company secretary, Michelle brings organisational rigour and communal warmth to the administration and day-to-day life of Tikkun Olam Zambia. Reachable at +260 97 6259263.
Whether you are Jewish or simply drawn to the values of Tikkun Olam, there is a place for you at Tikkun Olam Zambia. Come as you are. Bring what you have. We will build the rest together.
Tikkun Olam Zambia Limited · Plot 100/680, Ibex Hill Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia · Registration pending PACRA approval