September 2009

We are delighted to update you on the progress of the Abayudaya Community Health and Development Project.

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Construction Continues on Health Center

The second phase of construction is underway. Workers erected brick walls and scaffolding and are now casting the ground floor slab. After the slab is cast, the Mbale construction engineer will visit the site to ensure that the building plan was followed and that the casting meets national building standards.

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Yeshiva Attracts Students from Uganda, Ghana

Upon returning to Uganda in June 2008, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu fulfilled his dream of opening a yeshiva to train teachers and rabbis who will serve growing Jewish communities throughout Africa. Eight students are currently enrolled in the yeshiva.

One student, Alex Armah, 31, comes from the House of Israel community in Ghana. Born and raised in a village called Sefwi Aboduam, Armah is an electrician and a leader in his community. Armah received a Be’chol Lashon Educational Fellowship to travel to Uganda and is excited to continue his studies at the yeshiva. “Rabbi Sizomu is teaching us that the challenge of leadership is in living up to the community’s aspirations,” Armah commented.

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Menorah and Ner Tamid Installed

Thank you to Jill and Steve Edwards for the new wooden Menorah and beautiful Ner Tamid, donated to the Abayudaya community in memory of Dr. Gary Tobin, and for their tireless work on behalf of the Abayudaya community.

The Ner Tamid was lathed and carved into a hollow wooden mould. Glass was blown into the mould to obtain it’s shape, then opened on the opposite side. The red, black, and yellow are the colors of the Ugandan flag. The menorah includes glass fittings throughout the work and oil lamps on the top.