Rabbi Gamedze: The Journey from Swaziland to Rabbinic Ordination
The life of Rabbi Gamedze is a remarkable testament to intellectual curiosity and spiritual transformation. Born in Swaziland as one of eight children, his path led him from the classrooms of Oxford to the sacred texts of Jerusalem, evolving from a professional linguist into a recognized leader within the Orthodox Jewish community.
Academic Foundations and Linguistic Mastery
Rabbi Gamedze's early education was characterized by a rigorous pursuit of language. After attending private schools in Swaziland and London, he enrolled at the University of Oxford. There, he earned his Honours, completing both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Modern Languages and Translations, with a primary focus on German, Italian, and French.
His academic journey continued at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained a master's degree in 1987. His exceptional linguistic skills were quickly recognized professionally; by 1988, he served as an official translator of the German language for the Supreme Court of South Africa. In total, he is fluent in 14 languages, evenly split between European and African tongues.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]A Spiritual Awakening in Jerusalem
The trajectory of his life shifted during an Italian literature class at the University of the Witwatersrand. After noticing a classmate writing in Hebrew—a language written from right to left—Gamedze became fascinated. This curiosity led him to enroll in a Hebrew language course, which opened the door to his study of Jewish texts.
Following an invitation from Professor Moshe Sharon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Gamedze moved to Israel to pursue a doctorate in the Hebrew language. During this period, he began attending philosophy classes at the Ohr Somayach Yeshiva in Jerusalem. This spiritual exploration culminated in his conversion to Judaism in 1991.
For the next several years, Gamedze immersed himself in deep religious study. He spent four years at Ohr Somayach, studying alongside Dr. Henry Abramson, and from 1995 to 2000, he attended advanced Talmudic classes at the Brisk yeshiva in Jerusalem's Old City. It was here that he achieved rabbinic ordination, the formal qualification to serve as a rabbi.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Family Life and Community Leadership
While studying at the Brisk yeshiva, Gamedze met his wife, Shayna Golda Gordon, a baalat teshuva (a term referring to a Jew who returns to the practice of Orthodox Judaism) from New York who had studied at Neve Yerushalayim.
The couple's early married life was spent in Beitar Illit, where Gamedze studied in a kollel (an institute for full-time Talmudic study). They later moved to Safed for five years, during which time Rabbi Gamedze taught at the Shaarei Bina seminary and Yeshivat Shalom Rav. He eventually transitioned into lecturing for an international kiruv (outreach) organization. Today, the couple resides in Jerusalem with their two children.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Origin: Born in Swaziland, one of eight children.
- Education: Degrees from the University of Oxford and University of the Witwatersrand.
- Linguistic Ability: Fluent in 14 languages (7 European, 7 African).
- Professional Milestone: Former official German translator for the Supreme Court of South Africa.
- Religious Milestone: Converted to Judaism in 1991 and received rabbinic ordination from the Brisk yeshiva.
- Media: Featured in the 2008 ABC documentary Compass: The Black Jew of Swaziland.
| Period/Institution | Focus/Role | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | Modern Languages (German, Italian, French) | Honours, Undergraduate & Post-graduate degrees |
| University of the Witwatersrand | Advanced Studies | Master's Degree (1987) |
| Supreme Court of South Africa | German Translation | Official Translator (1988) |
| Hebrew University of Jerusalem | Hebrew Language | Doctoral Studies |
| Brisk Yeshiva | Advanced Talmudic Studies | Rabbinic Ordination (2000) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many languages does Rabbi Gamedze speak?
Rabbi Gamedze is fluent in 14 languages, consisting of seven European languages and seven African languages.
What sparked his interest in Judaism?
His interest began in an Italian literature class at the University of the Witwatersrand after he noticed a student writing in Hebrew, which led him to take a Hebrew language course.
Where did he receive his rabbinic ordination?
He received his rabbinic ordination from the Brisk yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem after taking advanced Talmudic classes from 1995 to 2000.
What is the name of the documentary about his life?
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation produced a documentary titled Compass: The Black Jew of Swaziland in 2008.
Where has Rabbi Gamedze taught?
He has taught at Yeshivat Shalom Rav and the Shaarei Bina seminary in Safed, and has also lectured for an international kiruv organization.