August 05, 2008
Jews Around the World
"Kulanu", a Hebrew term which refers to "all of us" is also the name of a small, grass-roots organization dedicated to discovering and assisting little-known Jewish communities found in remote corners of the world. (http://www.kulanu.org/)
We have followed Kulanu’s work for many years and can particularly recall their first contacts in the mid-90’s with the now-famous Abuyudaya community in Uganda, as well as urging people to ship Jewish books of interest there and to other isolated regions around the world.
Harriet Bograd has been a part of the dedicated Kulanu leadership for many years and in an email last week, she shared that she had recently become President of the group, taking over for Jack Zeller, one of Kulanu’s founders and a major force in the organization’s success over the years. After our initial contact by email, Harriet and I spent some time on the phone reviewing all of the many places where Kulanu has made an impact in fostering Judaism. Of course, the Abuyudaya community was a focal point and it was particularly gratifying to learn that Gershom Sizomu, a long-time leader among the Abuyudyan community, had just returned to Uganda after completing five years in formal Rabbinic training in the States. At last, the Abuyudaya would have a religious leader recognized by world Jewry, and Uganda would have a Chief Rabbi! Harriet went on to mention that with Kulanu’s help, Alex Armah, a leader in the Ghanaian Jewish community was now spending several months studying with the newly-ordained Rabbi Gershom so that he can return to Ghana with more Jewish knowledge to share with his community. Everything that Harriet was sharing was so exciting. Who knew that there was such a burgeoning Jewish community in Africa and what was being done to help foster their Judaism?
What follows are excerpts from a letter that Harriet shared with us. The writer is Alex Armah, the Ghanaian Jewish leader mentioned above. Alex was in Uganda at the time of Rabbi Gershom’s ordination. After reading the letter I asked Harriet what we could do to help this type of exciting work and with little hesitation and discussion it was agreed that the Good People Fund would offer Kulanu a matching grant of $500 to cover the remaining costs of Alex Armah’s time in Uganda.
Shalom,
This is my first report to you. It is a wonderful in my life to experience such an occasion in the Abayudaya community in Uganda. On Monday visitors started coming from U.S.A. The Rabbis and many people also came to witness the occasion.
Some also from African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and people from nearby communities in Uganda. The guest house was full of Rabbis…
I was surprised to see officials from the Government of Uganda, officials from Islamic religion and Christians. On Thursday a long bus of students from many Jewish communities from the U.S.A, Canada, and Israel came to welcome our Africa Jewish Rabbi.
Many students also came to perform at the ceremony. African drummers and the Abayudaya High School choir also came with their welcome songs for the Rabbis from all over the country. Everyone on the field was very happy.
On the Friday Sabbath eve the synagogue was full of people from Mbale, Apach and many places. People were standing outside of the synagogue.
What I have known from the Rabbi is that he is a lovely man, with the Spirit of God, who fears God and is a hard worker towards the service of God. I am so happy to see many African Jews whom I did not dream to meet them at all.
Due to Rabbi Gershom I hope all the Jews in Africa will come together as one community. So we all share ideas. He is dedicated to the work that he has been ordained to do.
The Rabbis who came, they did not come only for the installation but they came to share Torah, Mishna, and religious ideas with the whole community that they met on this occasion.
There are many things that I was surprised about here in Uganda. How the community members are happy to welcome visitors and also dedicated to the community.
The community has done something that is marvelous in the eyes of many people here in Uganda. They have a school comprised with Jews, Islamic, Christians and other students within the district as a whole.
My trip here has enabled me to come and experience in the service of the community here and Ghana…
And I hope this is not the only Rabbi that we will have in Africa. Due to the hard work he is doing here in Uganda he will produce more African Rabbis to help him with his good work done.
Thank you!
Yours faithfully,
Alex
Alex Armah
Community Liason
Indeed, it is olam katan-a truly small world in which we live!
