Those are the most athletic Jews I have ever seen

5 Jews and 5 hours on a bus, from Kampala to Mbale, and we arrived safe and sound.  On the bus of course we met an Israeli couple going to Mbale to hike Mt. Elgon for the holiday.  (small world)

One of the boys in the group Aaron had a connection with one of the guys, Shabrach, from the Jewish community through his temple.  So the Ugandan Jew found us at the bus and took us to lunch and then to the Jewish Community.  It was about 15 minutes from town, and it was surrounded by nicely guarded fence.  As we walked in a guy at the gate said “shana tova” and his little daughter said “shana tova”.  I’m not going to lie, I never pictured a Ugandan to ever speak Hebrew to me.  It definitely took some getting used to this surreal image.  Some men walked up to us wearing beautifully knitted Kippas made by the community.  Of course we all bought one beause how else could we prove we went to Rosh Hashanah services in the middle of Uganda?  Then our friend Shabrach took us to the guest house in the community, and we met some nice muzungu’s there for the holiday.  I would say the whole experience was quite surreal, the whole time I had to keep reminding myself all these people are Jewish, and it was hard to break my mind from the typical Jewish stereotype.  The story of how these people congregated is quite interesting as well.  Apparently during the early 1900’s the village Chief started to practice the Old Testament because he simply liked it more.  Then the entire community started practicing the Old Testament.  Then one day a merchant came up to them and informed them that in fact what they were practicing was called Judaism.  And from then on, the community was Jewish!  Eventually the community expanded to around 1000 people around western Uganda.  The people in the community dated only 3 generations practicing Judaism, but converted Jews none the less. 

So its true, the Jewish community surrounds us no matter where we go! 

After settling in the guest house we went to explore.  We met some people of the community introducing themselves with such biblical names like Moshe, Shlomo, Rifka, Rachel, Issac …and so on.  The community continued to amaze me.  Then we found a soccer game between the Jewish High School and a school outside the community.  The Jewish team was winning.  Those were the most athletic Jewish people I have ever seen.* (this is a joke, not meant to be taken seriously ;)) 

At 6 we proceeded to the evening service.  We met the Rabbi who ran a beautiful short and sweet service.  All the prayers and the songs sounded amazingly the same.  I was so impressed hearing the little Ugandan children singing all the Hebrew songs.  I wish better words could explain the strange but comforting feelings of going to the service.  At the end we all got a sip of wine and apples and honey and a bite of challah.  I wish I could have thought to bring them more wine and apples and honey so people were able to get more than just a slice.  My friends and I thought of so many ways congregations from America could help support this community.  Even some team jerseys with a giant Jewish star on them, or soccer balls.  I do hope to go back there again during my stay there, and if any Jewish person somehow ends up in Africa, I highly recommend coming to experience this wonderful place.  Shana Tova, and Shalom.