Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Jews of Uganda

Usually my blog is about the food I cook, or about my family. Today’s blog is about a talk I went to last night about the Abayudaya, the Ugandan Jewish Village. How this village became Jewish is amazing, and the current rabbi of the village, is amazing. Last night we heard the music of the synagogue from the congregants. We saw videos of the villagers. We learned about their history. We learned that most of them are subsistence farmers, and earn $1 a day. There is no running water in the village and no electricity. But, they are dedicated conservative Jews. They observe kashrut. They observe Shabbat. They know Hebrew. They love Israel. They need our help. They need our help to send their children, to college in Uganda. They have educated their own children to become teachers, principals, doctors, lawyers, engineers, tour guides, plumbers, etc. But college in Uganda is $4,800 a year. However, they cannot afford it. However, there is a way for you to help. Please contact Cindy Paisner at 617-630-1011 if you are willing to donate to the Higher Education Fund.


http://www.shalomboston.com/language/he-IL/Calendar/EventCalendar/ModuleID/566/ItemID/4418/mctl/EventDetails.aspx?selecteddate=03/04/2011

Last night’s talk made me think that my current worries, are my own worries, but yet there are bigger worries in the world. I don’t worry where my clean water will come from. I don’t worry that I don’t have the money for my co-payment for my child to see the doctor. I worry about the insurance claim being denied, but I don’t worry about my access to see the doctor. I am glad that I took the time out of my busy day to learn many new things; but also to be aware of more global concerns.

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