Pesach is a time of freedom, connection, and tradition. This year, Masorti Olami partners with Cleveland Hillel student leader, Maya Friedlander, to ensure that the Abayudaya Jewish communities of Uganda and Kenya—over 3,000 members across 10 villages—can celebrate fully.

Through the leadership and generous support of Maya—a Case Western Reserve University student that led our Pesach campaign last year along with other senior students from Denver Jewish Day School—and generous supporters like you, we’re raising funds for matzah, wine, and other Pesach essentials. Every contribution brings us closer to our $6,000 goal to cover costs, including transporting these crucial supplies.

Our community in Nabugoye, the main Abayudaya village in Mbale District, is already preparing to welcome over 500 guests from all over Uganda for a big communal seder on the first night.

Your support is needed to help provide:

• Kosher Wine | Uganda has a 100% liquor tax and it is nearly impossible to obtain kosher wine, which must be imported from Kenya, from where we are looking to purchase and import at least 40 bottles.

• Matzah | Since the supply in Uganda is extremely costly and limited, we hope to purchase at least 30 boxes of matzah from Kenya, one for each community and about 20 for the community seder.

• Transportation| Members from our Kenyan community will help purchase and collect all the items and bring them to the Ugandan border, where members of our leadership will distribute among our Ugandan villages.

• Food for Seders| We hope to help organize and provide funding for communal seders across all villages in Uganda and Kenya for the first night of Pesach, some welcoming over 100 people.

No matter the amount, your generosity will help make it possible for Abayudaya communities (learn more about them here) to celebrate this significant holiday to the fullest.

Let’s stand together as a global Masorti/Conservative family and make this Pesach significant for all.