Is Uganda Safer for Jews Than America? Inside Africa's Abayudaya Community with Shoshana McKinney Kirya-Ziraba
Are Jews safer in Uganda than in America?
Jonah interviews Shoshana McKinney Kirya Ziraba, a Southern California-born Black Jewish woman, now living in Eastern Uganda among the Abayudaya Jewish community. Shoshanah tells us about the nonprofit she runs called Tikvah Chadasha Uganda, Hebrew for "New Hope for Uganda," which provides women in Uganda with sustainable chicken farms, vocational and rehabilitation support for children with disabilities, and educational programs.
Shoshana discusses the origins of the Abayudaya Jewish community, and how those who converted about 100 years ago are not the same kinds of converts we think of today. She explains their Sephardic influences, distinctive music, and persecution under Idi Amin when Judaism was outlawed, followed by a public resurgence.
Shoshana also compares antisemitism in America with Uganda, and describes Uganda as a healing place where her Black and Jewish identities are normalized. She tells us how Ugandan Synagogues don’t need security the way most diaspora Synagogues do. Shoshanah explains Tikvah Chadasha Uganda’s programs: repairing wheelchairs, supporting children with disabilities and medical needs, providing glasses, building chicken farms to help women earn income, and selling challah covers and kippot on their website. She shares funding challenges and ways to support via tikvahuganda.org and on their YouTube channel.
MENTIONS:
1:30 – The History of the Abayudaya Community in Uganda
Shoshana discusses how the Abayudaya community came to be, and its roots and connection to Judaism.
The Abayudaya and “All of Us”: Partners in Tikkun Olam
3:35 – Music in the Abayudaya Community
Shoshana discusses music in the community, and its Grammy-nominated album
Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda
3:55 – Judaism Outlawed in Uganda
Shoshanaa discusses the period in Uganda where Judaism was outlawed.
https://jewishmuseum.org.uk/2019/12/04/the-abayudaya-the-jews-of-uganda/
5:50 – Christian Ugandan Pro-Israel Rally
Shoshana tells us about the Christian pro-Israel rally that occured in Uganda after the October 7th attacks.
https://www.jns.org/israel-news/african-christians-hold-prayer-rally-for-israel-in-uganda
11:54 – Discussion about Tikvah Chadasha Uganda
Shoshana describes the non-profit organization she formed in Uganda to support women, girls, and the Jewish community.
https://jwa.org/blog/7-questions-shoshana-mckinney-kirya-ziraba
16:21 – Ohr Torah Stone
Learn More About Shoshana
Abayudaya Communities in Uganda
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CREDITS
Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producer: Jonah Platt, Associate Producer: Rachel Stern, Head of Operations: Josie Rothschild, Operations Associate: Emma Webb, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Sasha Fiora, Production Interns: Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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