The Jewish community in Kenya dates back to the 1900s when, in 1903, the British colonial secretary Joseph Chamberlain offered the Zionists a part of the territory in Kenya and Uganda known as the Uganda Program for their own autonomous country at the Sixth Zionist Congress. The suggestion created much controversy among the international Jewish community, and was rejected at the Seventh Zionist Congress, in 1905. Although this proposal was reverted, several Jewish families immigrated to Kenya. In 1913, there were 20 Jewish families living in Kenya. Most resided in Nairobi

Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...

. When the Holocaust ended, some Jews started to immigrate to Kenya. The Jewish community also built a synagogue there. As of 2008 there are about 400 Jews living in Kenya. The community mainly resides in Nairobi. Shabbat

Shabbat

Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...

services are held.