A sukkah grows in Uganda
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu has returned to his Abudaya Jewish tribe after five years of studies abroad, ready to help his community fluorish.
By The Jewish Journal Tags: Jewish World Israel newsAfter five years of rabbinical studies in Los Angeles and Israel, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu has returned to the Abudaya Jewish tribe of Uganda with full spirits and his eyes on the future of his community.
In May 2008, Sizomu completed his studies at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University in Los Angeles (four in Los Angeles and one in Israel), Sizomu was ordained, then returned home with his family.
Since his return, he has been made chief rabbi of Uganda, completed 250 conversions, opened a yeshiva in Nabugoye Hill, fed nearby villages suffering from starvation and welcomed hundreds of Jewish guests from around the world in a modern guesthouse (with electricity and running water) that was funded by American Jews.
The Abayudaya ("People of Judah" in Luganda, the local language)- some 1,100 Jews in about eight communities - live mostly outside Mbale, a city some five hours east of Entebbe airport.
These Ugandans have identified as Jews since 1919, when military leader Semei Kakungulu decided the Old Testament was true, and, when told that is what Jews practice, he reportedly said, "Then we will be Jewish!" He then circumcised himself and his sons and started a Jewish community.
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Jon Entine's book outlines, among other things, the astounding connection between the Lemba of South Africa and the Jewish people. See also Tudor Parfitt's "Journey to the Vanished City". The Abayudaya, in Uganda, are converts and they know it. They do not pretend to have any genetic connection to us. They know their history. They are Jews by choice, and they are devout and devoted Jews. And they have converted by Halachically proper procedures, by competent rabbis. As any competent rabbi will tell you, that is sufficient.
Maybe they should sell do-it-your kits.
People who were not descendents of Jacob/Yacob were joined with Israel even at Mt Sinai at the time of Moses/Moshe. They became part of the tribe into which land and community where they resided.
This tribe's origins within the Jewish People go deeper than this article. Read the book: Abraham's Children: Race, Identity, and the DNA of the Chosen People by Jon Entine. Hard to argue with science and DNA markers... AN amazing book....
There are many Jewish practices adopted by Christians and other groups, that is well known. Not all origins are Jewish but the influence of Christianity and missions have greatly introduced the Judai-Christian traditions, introducting such into foreign arenas the history and ideals of both. That Ugandans adopted this practice is not so very ususal. Let 's just hope that it stays in Uganda and is not used as a stepping stone to leave Uganda for greener pastures (as is the case in many such groups)