Cover Photo: Ayelet Shaked with Erez Africa at 70 years Israel Indipedence celebrations on April 25th 2018, Nairobi Synagogue.
May 14th 1948, the history behind this date is huge on all fronts in the Hebrew calendar, 5th Iyar. David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel answered the question in Isaiah 66:8, "can a nation be born in one day?". A nation was born on this day when David Ben Gurion stood at the Independence Hal in Tel Aviv formerly a museum declaring the State of Israel. He was crucial in writing of the Israeli declaration of Independence which spelled out the framework for Israel's establishment as a state. With about 250 guests he read out the declaration sought the consensus of those in attendance and the reciting of the blessing Shehecheyanu, Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion.
April 25th 2018, 70 years later in Nairobi Kenya, The Nairobi Hebrew Congregation, the largest and official synagogue in East Africa hosted over 500 guests, local Jewish community led by Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Amb. Noah Gal Gendler and Mrs Liron Gendler. Very Special attendance by the Israeli minister for Justice, Ayelet Shaked who was in Kenya for the first time, leading the Kenyan community and representing the government was former minister for Trade Adan Mohamed.
The Ambience was electric, great interactions, great food, great music and a vivid picture of how warm the relations between Kenya and Israel have grown over time since the official laying of the embassy stone for the Israeli embassy in Nairobi on 9th December 1963 a few days to Kenya's independence, a great friendship that has seen Israel's Prime Minister HE Benjamin Netanyahu visit Kenya in 2016 and 2017.
70 years of Israel's existence mean so much to Kenya. It translates to great partnerships in security, agriculture, water technology, education, alternative energy and health. Before 9th December 1963 hundreds of Kenyans had been trained in security, agriculture and health, when the nations chose to side line Israel in the 1970's Kenya was the nation that continued to trade and support Israel as evident in the Entebbe raid where Kenya allowed Israel to refuel her planes with rescued hostages on the way back to Israel. Read more in my book Israel and Kenya, 50 years and Beyond..Israel and Kenya, 50 Years and Beyond, A background history in to Israel & Kenya
As we celebrate 70 years of Israel's statehood we as Kenya celebrate a great milestone that asserts Kenya's position as a regional leader in matters Israel and beyond, we celebrate the direct flights from Nairobi to Tel Aviv starting January 2019. We are grateful to the Kenyan government that is building on the foundation laid by our fore fathers in Israel - Kenya cooperation, the future is promising and we look forward to greater heights.
Yvonne Njeri. admin@erezafrica.com, erezafricaconsult@gmail.com.
