Read on Twitter
I want to put some order in this emerging mess of disinformation, currently making the rounds on twitter.
Thread coming. https://twitter.com/haaretzcom/status/1353684851237548032
Thread coming. https://twitter.com/haaretzcom/status/1353684851237548032
Most of the Abayudaya were officially converted between 2002 and 2010 under the auspices of US Conservative rabbis. They are not recognized as Jewish by Israel’s chief rabbinate, but according to the Law of Return, should be automatically eligible for citizenship.
In 2018, Taglit arranged a birthright trip for 40 young Ugandan Jews between the ages of 18-27.
The trip was not publicized due to Abayudayas’ status. This is a dispute between Israel’s Interior Ministry, and the Jewish Agency. Which will be settled by Israel's high courts.
The trip was not publicized due to Abayudayas’ status. This is a dispute between Israel’s Interior Ministry, and the Jewish Agency. Which will be settled by Israel's high courts.
Interior Minister Arye Deri, a Moroccan Jew, is at a standoff with Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky (Soviet Jew) regarding the issue of the Ugandan Abayudaya community. February 3rd, Israel's high court will have their first hearing on the matter of "emerging communities".
The issue of “emerging communities” has been gathering importance as several groups in Africa and Latin America claiming affinity to, or to be descendants from, the Jewish people, as well as large groups of converts, have become more prominent in recent years.
The Abayudaya community in Uganda is one such emerging community, which has 2,000 people, and adopted Jewish religious practices at the beginning of the 20th century.
Most members are a formal part of the movement, and are recognized as a Jewish community by the Jewish Agency.
Most members are a formal part of the movement, and are recognized as a Jewish community by the Jewish Agency.
This is a larger issue than just the Ugandan Jewish community, and will impact emerging communities all over the world, most notably South America, with Southern European descendants of Jews who were forced to convert. I wouldn't rush to label this topic a racial issue just yet.
Last but not least, a heart-warming story about Shoshana Nambi, the first Ugandan female rabbinic student at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/beth-el-welcomes-trailblazing-ugandan-rabbinic-student-to-virtual-program/
