Madagascar
Centered in the commune of Ambatomirahavavy, outside Madagascar’s capital of Antananarivo, the Dor Deah community thrives as a unique branch of Orthodox Judaism. Having converted with Kulanu’s assistance in 2016, the community follows halakhot based on the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah and follows Yemenite traditions, including Sharabbi Hebrew pronunciation, removing shoes before entering the synagogue, and prostration during prayer. Dor Deah hosts regular Torah classes, holiday celebrations, and youth education. Kulanu financed a print center for the community to make copies and bind books. Self-financed projects, including rice paddies, a sewing business, and coffee production, sustain the community and fund initiatives, while construction plans for a synagogue, mikveh, and beit midrash are underway.
Women of the Madagascar community in 2025
Lighting a hanukkiah provided by Kulanu
Meeting in the synagogue ahead of conversions in 2016 (Photo by Joshua Kristal for Kulanu)
A community education class (Photo by Joshua Kristal for Kulanu)
Kulanu Support Since
2016
Denomination
Orthodox
Community size
100
Languages
Malagasy and French
Kulanu made our community truly feel we’re part of a big family.
Discover Madagascar
Yemenite Traditions
The Dor Deah community of Madagascar distinguishes itself by practicing Orthodox Judaism with Yemenite influences. Members follow halakhot from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam and prioritize the Jerusalem Talmud over the Babylonian Talmud. Their prayer practices include full prostration, removing shoes before entering the synagogue, sitting on rugs instead of chairs, and use of Sharabbi Hebrew, a Yemenite dialect. These practices, while rare among Jewish communities worldwide, are embraced with deep commitment in Madagascar.
Community-Driven Economy
The community is self-sustaining and supports its members through a variety of local industries. Members cultivate rice, coffee, and other crops, with rice farming funded by Kulanu and used for both internal distribution and income generation. Other initiatives include sugarcane alcohol production, wine making, and sewing businesses, all of which help finance community projects. This entrepreneurial spirit fosters a sense of collective responsibility and pride in their shared future.
Interfaith Relations
In a country characterized by religious tolerance, the Madagascar Jewish community thrives peacefully alongside Christian and Muslim neighbors. Despite bringing new religious practices to the nation and their emerging status, the community has faced no antisemitism, allowing them to focus on growth and deeper connection to their Jewish traditions.