Seeking Shabbat in Accra

June 22, 2012 6:37 AM

I am in Accra, Ghana on a business trip, and my colleague and I would like to find a shabbat service tonight. There is no synagogue in Accra, nor a Chabad presence. I've tried calling the Israeli embassy, but haven't been able to get through (possibly they work half day Fridays?) Any ideas?
posted by charmcityblues to Religion & Philosophy (8 answers total)

This blog post mentions the American Embassy, World Bank, and (possibly Ghana) International School as places where Jews work. Trying calling those.
posted by mareli at 6:50 AM on June 22, 2012

I haven't been there but I Googled out of curiosity.

I assume it's too far to travel to get to the Jews of Ghana in Sefwi Wiawso (if they're even still there.)

I'd try schools like mareli mentioned. NYU has a study abroad program in Ghana. It looks tiny, but maybe someone there would know something?

Good luck!
posted by DestinationUnknown at 6:57 AM on June 22, 2012

The phone number for the US embassy is [phone]-150
and also:
American Citizen Services (ACS) unit will accept calls Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., closed on holidays, at +233.30.2741.570 or +233.30.2741.000, x1570.
posted by pointystick at 7:02 AM on June 22, 2012

You might also try contacting one of the youth hostels, which may have fielded this question for travelers before.
posted by argonauta at 7:04 AM on June 22, 2012 [1 favorite]

AJWS may have folks from their Volunteer Summer program there.
posted by piro at 7:05 AM on June 22, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions! Alas, I couldn't find anything organized. I'm only here for a week, not enough time to get hooked into the expat community. Thanks for all who tried, and Shabbat Shalom!
posted by charmcityblues at 9:13 AM on June 22, 2012

I'm with argonauta, especially if you'd settle for getting an informal minyan together. Backpacking is huge in Israel, and my experience is that most places that attract a substantial number of backpackers will have one or two hostels that go out of their way to cater to an Israeli (i.e. largely Jewish though often not especially devout or observant) crowd. If this is true in Accra, and you can find such a hostel, you'll at least be headed in the right direction.
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:13 AM on June 22, 2012

Ah, too bad. Shabbat shalom and enjoy the rest of your trip.
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:14 AM on June 22, 2012 [1 favorite]