In an enlightening interview hosted by Emunah, one of Israel’s leading social service and humanitarian aid organizations, Tobi Lovv, founder of ShareLovv International and an advocate for faith diplomacy, shared her personal journey and the impactful mission behind her work. With years of experience fostering interfaith dialogue, Tobi has been instrumental in building bridges between Christian communities in Africa and the Jewish state of Israel, advocating for peace and mutual understanding. The conversation highlighted not just her efforts but also the powerful intersection of faith, community, and service that is at the heart of both Emunah’s work and Tobi’s mission.
Tobi’s path to becoming a leader in faith diplomacy is deeply intertwined with her heritage. Born to an Israeli father and a Nigerian mother, Tobi grew up in a household that blended two very distinct faith traditions. This rich cultural background laid the foundation for her advocacy work, giving her a unique perspective on the role of faith in building relationships across cultures.
At just 16, Tobi moved to Israel with the vision of serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where she would face the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language. Reflecting on this defining moment, she said, “For majority of the first half of my life I knew that part of the way in which I would be reconnected to the Land was when I would finish my high school studies and travel to Israel with one goal which is to serve in the IDF. That was the one thing that my dad had requested from me,” adding, “I wanted to join the army and see Israel from that perspective.”
Her resilience and faith paved the way for her to become a voice for those navigating similar paths. Tobi has gone on to become a role model, particularly for women of colour in Israel, proudly embracing both her identities. “I didn’t feel at any point that I had any sort of disadvantage. Actually, quite the contrary. I took what some might perceive as weaknesses and turned them into my advantages,” she explained.
Through ShareLovv International, Tobi aims to deepen the connection between Israel and African communities, particularly evangelical Christians who share a strong spiritual bond with Israel. While many African Christians feel a deep connection to Israel due to their faith, Tobi noticed a lack of meaningful engagement between the two. “When I realized how low the level of engagement was between Israel and Africa, I knew I had to do something,” Tobi shared, underscoring her drive to create connections. ShareLovv works to bridge this gap by promoting faith diplomacy and creating business partnerships.
Tobi’s work with ShareLovv draws from the same sense of community and service that Emunah exemplifies. The organization’s efforts, such as providing residential homes for children who have been removed from their families due to abuse, reflect a deep commitment to healing and support—principles Tobi incorporates into her own advocacy. Just as Emunah focuses on long-term care and empowerment for at-risk children, ShareLovv seeks to foster long-lasting partnerships between Israel and African nations, focusing on shared values, faith, and cooperation.
Looking Ahead
Through virtual events, interfaith dialogues, and cultural partnerships, Tobi is helping to strengthen the relationships between African and Israeli communities, highlighting the transformative power of faith-based connections.
Tobi’s vision for the future continues to expand. She dreams of a world where Israel and African nations collaborate not only diplomatically but also culturally and spiritually. Drawing from her personal experiences and steadfast dedication to her mission, Tobi is paving the way for a new era of African-Israeli relations—one built on shared values, respect, and the power of faith.
Tobi’s work with ShareLovv is driven by a commitment to service and building bridges. “I come from a household that is very entrepreneurial. Both my parents are businesspeople. So, it was almost quite natural for me to say let’s take initiative and let’s start something that will potentially have the power to impact millions and millions of people. And that is what ShareLovv is. It is an organization that strives to build bridges.”
Watch the full interview here. Skip to the 23:35 mark for Tobi’s part.
