Introducing Rabbinic Intern Samson Nderitu Njogu
Samson Nderitu Njogu in Los Angeles in April 2024. (Andrew Esensten/J. Staff)
As we prepare to enter another new year, we are thrilled to introduce a new member of our team: Rabbinic Intern Samson Nderitu Njogu. Samson, born in Kenya and connected to the Abayudaya Jewish community, is studying at The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. He will be visiting our community once a month to learn, lead, teach, eat, sing, and connect. We are so lucky! We hope you will welcome Samson as you welcomed me and join us for Shabbat when he is in town. Samson will be joining us on the first Shabbat of every month, with a few exceptions.
Fall Shabbatot:
September 6-7
October 16-19 (beginning days of Sukkot)
November 1-2
December 6-7
ABOUT SAMSON
My name is Samson Nderitu Njogu. I was born in Kenya into a family of thirteen children. I am married to Dafnah Sizomu, and we are blessed with a beautiful daughter named Shirah Wangechi.
I come from a small Jewish community in Kenya found in the central province about one-hundred miles north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. At the age of 15, I joined the Abayudaya community, a vibrant Jewish community in Uganda. During my time there, I served as the President of the youth movement, where I developed leadership skills and a passion for community service. I also trained B’nai Mitzvah students and assisted the community as the assistant to community Rabbi Gershom Sizomu (who visited Beth Sholom in December 2023). During that time I gained valuable experience in religious education and communal leadership.
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Planning and Entrepreneurship, which has equipped me with the skills to design and manage community projects effectively. I am currently a student at The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where I am pursuing my dream of becoming a rabbi. My goal is to serve Jewish communities in Africa and globally, fostering spiritual growth, cultural understanding, and community development.
In my free time, I enjoy studying Jewish texts, engaging in interfaith dialogue, and spending quality time with my family and many more.
Samson Nderitu Njogu with his wife, Dafnah Sizomu, and their 2-year-old daughter, Shirah, at Camp Ramah in Ojai, July 2024. (Courtesy)