The Abayudaya is an African Jewish community in Uganda. Abayudaya means "sons of Judah" in Luganda, the community's native language. Their founder was Semei Kakungulu, a Ugandan governor who founded the town of Mbale, now the third largest city in Uganda. In 1917, he began to study the Bible. He was originally converted to Christianity by British missionaries, but ws inspired by the study of Torah. By 1919, he and his followers circumcised themselves and declared themselves to be Jews. They began to observe Shabbat and the festivals. In the 1920's, contact with two foreign traders expanded their knowledge of Jewish law and the Hebrew language.  They are now over 750 strong, and raising their fifth generation. Early in 2002, Gershom Sizomu, spiritual leader of the Abayudaya (and now a rabbinic student at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles - his brother Aaron is acting rabbi of the community until Gershom's return), spoke at a Shabbat service at Woodlands. Inspired by his story, our congregation established the Moses Synagogue Associate Membership Project to help the community in its struggle to become self-sufficient and more connected with world Jewry.

MOSES SYNAGOGUE ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: You are invited to become an "Associate Member" of the Moses Synagogue, the central Abayudaya synagogue on Nabugoye Hill near Mbale, by donating $50 per family each year (although any donation will be very much appreciated). To join, make your check payable to Woodlands Community Temple and write "Abayudaya - membership" on the memo line. Click here for a form.

MIREMBE KAWOMERA COFFEE: We are thrilled that the kosher, organic, Fair Trade certified coffee grown by a cooperative of small Abayudaya, Muslim and Christian farmers in Uganda has come to the United States. Click here to learn more about this unusual venture and to order coffee.

CELEBRATE A WOMAN!: Woodlands Social Action Committee (along with the our Abayudaya (sub)Committee), in response to the findings of Jeanne Bodin and Roberta Roos during their trip to Uganda, developed plans to help the women of the community in their efforts to make the community more self-sufficient and, at the same time, to honor the women in our own lives. For an $18 donation, you can have a beautiful card sent to your honoree. Click here for an order form and to learn more about the project.