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| Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the leader of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda |
COME HEAR RABBI SIZOMU tell the history of the Abayudaya community and enliven all of the amazing social, health, and economic development projects happening today. Learn about the new Abayudaya Synagogue & Community Center as part of a strategic vision to ensure the health and security of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda today, and for generations to come. The Center will be a place for religious worship, lifecycle events, education, childcare, and health and social services that will benefit the entire community regardless of religion, gender or age.
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the leader of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda, is the first black rabbi from sub-Saharan Africa to be ordained at an American rabbinic school. As a visionary community leader, he chose to attend a rabbinic seminary to better understand ancient and modern Judaism and bring the Ugandan community into mainstream Judaism. In 2003, Rabbi Sizomu was awarded a Be'chol Lashon Fellowship to attend the 5-year Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies program at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. In 2008, he was ordained and returned home to Uganda to lead his Jewish community and establish a yeshiva in Uganda to train Jews from ancient and emerging communities throughout Africa. Today, Rabbi Sizomu, a charismatic leaderand accomplished musician, continues to help his community remain healthy and strong, both physically and spiritually. The Abayudaya are a growing community of over 1,500 Jews living among their 10,000 Christian and Muslim neighbors in scattered villages in the rolling, green hills of Eastern Uganda. With the support of Be'chol Lashon, the Abayudaya are engaged in a comprehensive Health and Development Project that includes building a Health Center, preventing disease, and developing economy. Improved healthcare and community development provided by the Abayudaya Jews to their Christian and Muslim neighbors fosters good will and cooperation among the communities. Rabbi Gershom Sizomu is Senior Rabbinic Associate at Be'chol Lashon. He is married to Tziporah and has four children: Igaal, Dafna, Naavah and Zivah.