Nabugoye Synagogue

The Abayudaya (Abayudaya is a Luganda word for "People of Judah") Masorti/Conservative communities are comprised of over 3,000 members spread among 10 villages and centers surrounding Mbale, in eastern Uganda, approximately five hours from the capital, Kampala. The 9 villages of Abayudaya in Uganda are: Kampala, Nabugoye, Nasenyi, Namanyonyi, Namutumba I, Namutumba II, Nalubembe, Apaac and Buseta, are recognized by the Masorti/conservative movement around the world, with the main Synagogue being Nabugoye.

The Abayudaya live their daily lives committed to traditional Judaism, observing ritual slaughter and kashrut, celebrating Shabbat and holidays, reading Torah on Mondays and Thursdays and engaging in text study on a regular basis. Although religious observance has not been easy in the face of political developments over the years in Uganda, a strong leadership has persevered and the results can be seen and felt today.

Rabbi Gershom Sizomu is the Chief Rabbi of the Abayudaya communities in Uganda and Kenya, based between Kampala and Nabugoye. Rabbi Gershom was ordained in 2008, after completing his five years of rabbinic studies at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

The Abayudaya community owes its origin to Semei Kakungulu, a Muganda military agent for the British missionaries who decided to practice Judaism upon his study and meditation of the Old Testament. He then adopted the observance of all Moses' commandments, including circumcision of himself and sons, and suggested this observance for all of his followers, and declared that his community was Jewish in 1919. The Abayudaya Jews follow Jewish practices and consider themselves Jews despite the absence of Israelite ancestry.

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