Zakhor

Association Tombouctienne d’Amitié avec le Monde Israëlite
BP 66, Tombouctou, Mali
tel 223-92-11-27

  1. The Association

    Zakhor was initiated by Ismael Diadié Haïdara, the historian responsible for the unveiling of the Jewish community in Timbuktu. It has existed as an informal association since 1993, and in 1996 it was registered as an official association.

    The Association is composed of:

    1. A General Assembly of all members.
    2. An Executive Bureau of 10 active members, who assure the administrative direction of the Association.
    3. A five member Surveillance Committee responsible for the execution of decisions taken by the General Assembly.
    4. A Committee of Honorary Members who provide assistance to the Association.

  2. Goals

    Zakhor’s goals are:

    1. The reestablishement of a Jewish community and identity.
    2. To learn and use Hebrew, their language of origin.
    3. To safeguard the Jewish socio-cultural patrimony of Timbuktu, entailing the collection of oral and written sources of history, and preserving the cemeteries of their ancestors.
    4. To provide assistance to the Jewish communities through development projects.
    5. The creation of an administrative structure in Timbuktu for the execution of this program.

    The first goal of re-establishing a Jewish identity and community is well under way. In every village with Jewish families there are members of Zakhor, and instead of Jewish identities being a closely guarded secret among elders, it is now openly known by all members of the community.

    Due to the isolation of the communities, their lack of even the most basic amenities such as telephones, electricity, or motor-operated vehicles, and the lack of funds and logistical means on the part of Zakhor, the Association has been limited in its actions to fufill these goals.

  3. Activities

    However, since its creation, Zakhor as been able to carry out a number of activities. These include:

    1. Providing for fifteen children in dire circumstances.
    2. Paying the school fees for one hundred children in the village of Kabara.
    3. Funding two nurses for the health centers of Kabara and Timbuktu.
    4. The training of a nurse and two assistants for Kabara and Timbuktu.
    5. Provisionment of the Kabara Health Center with essential medecines and medical materials.
    6. Partial financing of the International Day of the African Child.
    7. Partial financing of the World Raoul Follerau Day in Timbuktu.

    The members and board of Zakhor greatly wish to expand their activities in the following areas:

    1. Ethnographic and historic research on the Jews of Timbuktu, including the providing of grants for the recording of oral histories, and the organizing of further research on other sub-Saharan African descendants of Jews.
    2. The training of Hebrew language teachers.
    3. Community assistance focusing on improving child welfare through increased community access to health services and increasing school attendance, as well as meeting the material needs to raise agricultural production, primarily in the area of rice production.
    4. Rehabilitating the Jewish cemeteries in Tindirma, Kirshamba, Goundam and Timbuktu.
    5. Evaluation of the impact of these and prior activities on the beneficiaries’ environment.

    In order for Zakhor to carry out these plans, external financial assistance is a necessity. Contributions in any form are welcome, and indispensable for the fulfillment of their goals.

  4. Final Note: Religious Intolerance

    Zakhor remained informal and unpublicized for several years due to the continuing religious intolerance in Timbuktu. The Association has had to be clear from the start that they were devoted only to the re-establishment of Jewish identity and not to conversion to Judaism. Their fears were confirmed in August 1996, when a local radio station broadcasted programs denigrating Jews and warning others that to even touch a Jew would mean eternal damnation.

    Fortunately, the Malian constitution prohibits religious discrimination, and on this legal basis, the association was able to bring the attacks to a halt. But an atmosphere of mistrust remains, increasing the importance of Zakhor’s forging links with other Jewish communities outside of Mali.