Face-to-Face with Africa: Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer Oct. 20

Lecture flyer

Dear friends,

Join us on October 20th for Irene Shaland’s virtual presentation, 
“Face-to-Face with Africa: Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer.”

Hosted by: BZD – Baltimore Zionist District 

Date & Time: October 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time 

Format: Virtual event on Zoom 

Registration: https://bzdisrael.org/face-to-face-with-africa-through-the-eyes-of-a-jewish-explorer/

About the Program

Travel across Africa through the lens of Jewish history, culture, and discovery. Author, historian, and educator Irene Shaland invites you on a captivating journey to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar, revealing breathtaking landscapes, remarkable wildlife, diverse cultures, and surprising Jewish connections.

Through Irene’s storytelling—and photographs by her husband, travel writer and photographer Alex Shaland—you’ll:

  • Meet Africa’s legendary Big Five
  • Witness the Great Migration across Kenya and Tanzania
  • Visit a Masai village and explore its Old Testament-like legends
  • Discover the dramatic Great Rift Valley
  • Step inside the Nairobi Synagogue and learn about Kenya’s vibrant Jewish community

Experience Africa’s beauty and wonder through a unique blend of travel, history, culture, photography, and Jewish heritage.

About the Speaker

Irene Shaland is an internationally published author, Jewish historian, educator, and lecturer known for her work on global Jewish communities and cultural heritage. She presents widely at universities, museums, and cultural institutions. Irene combines scholarly research with personal travel experience to illuminate Jewish life across continents and centuries.

Learn about Irene Shaland’s books on the subject: https://amzn.to/3DM6rDk

Register here: https://bzdisrael.org/face-to-face-with-africa-through-the-eyes-of-a-jewish-explorer/

Questions? Email: office@bzdisrael.org Phone: 410‑484‑4510

Africa Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer

Lion, Star of David, Masai people

Face-to-Face with Africa Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer

Virtual Lecture: Irene Shaland

Sunday, November 13th, 2022       7:00 PM EST  Via Zoom

Hosted by Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield, MA

For more information and to register for this lecture, please email the Sisterhood President Susan Hochberg: shochberg.sh@gmail.com

Encounter Africa – a never-ending journey of mystery and discovery!

Join Irene Shaland, a Jewish historian, book author, and educator, as she leads us on a unique journey to Africa seen through the eyes of a Jewish explorer. As a writer focused on the past and present of Jewish communities around the world, Irene shares personal Jewish stories she discovered in Africa.

Nairobi Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Kenya
Nairobi Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Kenya
Sanctuary, Nairobi Synagogue, Kenya
Inside the sanctuary, Nairobi Synagogue, Kenya

The mysterious continent of Africa remains one of the most enchanting and fascinating destinations for both Irene and her husband Alex, a travel writer and photographer.

Masai warrior dance
Masai warrior dance

Through Alex’s photographs and Irene’s story-telling, you will journey to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. You will meet Africa’s Big Five (five African animals most dangerous for a hunter on foot), visit the Nairobi Synagogue and its energetic community, go to a Masai Tribe village to learn Masai Old Testament-like legends, the Great Rift Valley (where life on Earth began) and follow the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania.

For more information and to register for this lecture, please email the Sisterhood President Susan Hochberg: shochberg.sh@gmail.com

Find out more About the Presenter

Find all Shalands’ books on Amazon:

Link to Irene Shaland’s Books. 

Link to Alex Shaland’s Books.