Saturday, November 7, 2009
*7:30 PM: * A Musical Evening with Rabbi Gershom Sizomu of Uganda
An evening of musical inspiration, beginning with havdallah.
Rabbi Sizomu has a wonderful presence and a unique life as the leader of the
Abayudaya Jews of Uganda. With his guitar, voice and words, he will take us
on a journey of experiencing, learning and understanding more about the
music that has been so important to the Abayudaya (“people of Judah”) Jews.
This music was essential in reviving the community after the reign of Idi
Amin. Some songs will be in Luganda, the local language.
*At Congregation Kol Emeth * / 4175 Manuela Avenue / Palo Alto, CA 94306
No admission charge. Voluntary donations are welcome.
*This event is open to all!*
Some Abayudaya items including CDs will be available for purchase. Attendees
will also have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to the Health
Center now under construction and the other health initiatives now underway
for the Abayudaya and their Christian and Muslim neighbors. These efforts
are being supervised by Rabbi Sizomu with support from Be’Chol Lashon.
Rabbi Sizomu is the first black rabbi from sub-Saharan Africa to be ordained
by an American rabbinic school – the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in
Los Angeles. He returned home in 2008 to continue to lead his Jewish
community and establish a yeshiva. The Abayudaya are a growing 100-year old
community of over 1,000 Jews living among 10,000 Christians and Muslims in
Eastern Ugandan villages. The improved healthcare and community development
provided by the Abayudaya Jews to their neighbors have fostered good will
and cooperation among the communities. Rabbi Sizomu has a unique perspective
on what it means to be a Jew in other parts of the world. He is Senior
Rabbinic Associate at Be’chol Lashon and the Chief Rabbi of Uganda.
Sponsored by the Bernard H. and Ruth E. Raskin Educational Endowment Fund.
