Abayudaya
Sign in to saveThe Abayudaya (Luganda for "People of Judah") are a Jewish community in eastern Uganda, near the town of Mbale. They are devout in their practice, keeping kashrut and observing Shabbat. There are several different villages where the Abayudaya live. A community that converted to Judaism in the 20th century, most community members are affiliated with the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism. In June 2016, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin led a Beit Din that performed an Orthodox conversion for the Putti community of Abayudaya.
Key facts
- Ethnic group.group
- Abayudaya
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- 250px
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- ِLocal and foreign Rabbis pray in the synagogue of Puti next to Mbale
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- 2,500
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- Uganda
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- Luganda, Lusoga, Lugwere, Hebrew
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- Judaism
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- Baganda, Bagwere, Basoga
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
12 sectionsContents
- History
- 19th century
- 20th century
- 21st century
- Institutions
- Community relations
- Religious life and customs
- Music
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
The Abayudaya (Luganda for "People of Judah") are a Jewish community in eastern Uganda, near the town of Mbale. They are devout in their practice, keeping kashrut and observing Shabbat. There are several different villages where the Abayudaya live. A community that converted to Judaism in the 20th century, most community members are affiliated with the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism. In June 2016, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin led a Beit Din that performed an Orthodox conversion for the Putti community of Abayudaya.
The Abayudaya's population is estimated to number between 2,000 and 3,000; like their neighbors, they are subsistence farmers. Most Abayudaya are of Bagwere origin. Some, from Namutumba, are Basoga. They speak Luganda, Soga, or Gwere, and some have learned Hebrew as well.