In reality, not many would have the honour of attending the inauguration of a new synagogue building, becoming the first set of visitors to engage in prayers within its walls. For the fortunate, the joy that accompanies this moment is immeasurable, reminiscent of feelings that worshippers experienced when Shlomo HaMelek fulfilled God’s will by constructing a temple. Similar to the moment when the sanctuary was commissioned before a vast assembly of biblical Israelites, the placement of the Sifrei Torah inside the new ark in Eastern Uganda on inauguration day held a parallel resemblance. For those present, it marked a significant Jewish milestone for many as they reveled in the memories of the historic occasion of the new synagogue’s opening.
The Kahal Kadosh She’erit Yisreal Synagogue, as it is known, is situated in Nasenyi, a village on the outskirts of Mbale town, the commercial hub in Eastern Uganda. The topography is characterised by a flattened landscape, enriched by fertile agricultural soil due to the underground water being close to the surface of the tableland. The environment, characteristic of rural landscapes, showcases a dispersed settlements alongside vast areas of farmland and trees, just to describe some of its features.
On February 27th, all preparations were complete for the inauguration of the new synagogue building. The congregant represented a blend of Jews from various communities in Uganda, a country that is home to several Jewish communities, collectively referred to as the Abayudaya, who have been practicing Judaism for more than a century, with their headquarters at Nabugoye, situated on the cascading hills of Mbale where Judaism thrives. Alongside other well-wishers, there were also guests from outside Uganda, including those from Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, and the United States. Outside the new synagogue, the stage was prepared with canopies, seating, and musical equipment for the second phase of the event, following the conclusion of the inaugural Shacharit prayers.
In accordance with the Sephardic tradition, men and women are seated separately, facing one another, with the ark situated in the space between them. The ark is positioned at one end, opposite the bimah, which is located near the main entrance at the other end. The Shacharit prayer was conducted by Rabbi Sjimond den Hollander, with the support of two others on the bimah. Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, filled with spirited worshippers whose voices resonated vibrantly throughout the space.
The installation of two Sifrei Torah into their new home in the ark marked the peak point of the service. In a ceremonial procession, the Torahs were carried from inside one of the rooms, accompanied by a group of people, as everyone marveled at the historic moment. At the time of the Torah service, three aliyot were offered. The first historic aliyah was bestowed upon Rav Elisha, the spiritual leader of the community. The remaining two Torah readings were assigned to Maor Ohana and Rabbi Sjimond, respectively.
Right after Aleinu, Maor delivered an inspiring inauguration speech to the congregation. He has been teaching online Torah classes to the Ugandan communities in accordance with the Sephardic traditions. In his remarks, he started by emphasising the excellent timing of the synagogue inauguration, aligning perfectly with the week’s parshat. In the parshat Terumah, Hashem instructed Moshe to construct the Mishkan, a sacred dwelling for God, a sanctuary where the Israelites would present offerings to Him. But, with the temple no longer standing and worshippers dispersed worldwide, we fulfil Hashem’s commandments today as outlined in the Torah by constructing synagogues. Just as every man was asked to bring half a shekel—no more, no less—to guarantee that everyone contributes, the same principle applies to the collective efforts made by the Nasenyi community in building the new synagogue.
Not long after the inspirational speech, the event continued outside, right in front of the solar-powered synagogue building, with some people seated beneath canopies and some under shades given by some trees. Though in a unique positioning, the new structure is clearly behind the center stage with oppositely and adjacently facing canopies. The master of the ceremony conducted the outdoor event accordingly, calling up people and different representatives to say a few important words for the special day.
Notable among the speakers was Rav Elisha, the leader of the KKSY (Kahal Kadosh She’erit Yisreal) community. He was full of appreciation and gratitude to everybody who made it to the grand opening ceremony. He assured that the management of the community would remain steadfast in overseeing the agricultural assets in their disposal to effectively combat food insecurity. He reiterated his commitment to continue to lead and guide the community as they continue on their path to uphold the principles of Judaism as a people.
We have dreamed of having a proper synagogue for years, and today, that dream has become a reality. This is not just a building; it is a symbol of our faith, resilience, and unity. The synagogue stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Jewish life in Uganda and a beacon of hope for generations to come.”
Another speaker, Ros Eisen, who is based in London, is a board member of the Sephardi Jews of Uganda Assistance (SJUA). She inspired the audience with her encouraging words. She spoke of her more than 20 years of dedication to enhancing Judaism in Uganda through collaborative efforts with various individuals and Jewish organizations.
“Now you’ve got your own farmlands and you can decide to cultivate whatever food crops you want, using your strength to work and eventually get some money into your pockets as a community.”
With great passion, she encouraged the women to get involved and not be intimidated or sidelined. The thing about community building is that it ought to be inclusive with every hand on deck as the community embarks on its sustained journey so far, transitioning from a consumer to a producer community.
In recognition and appreciation of all the other synagogues and communities that graced the occasion, certificates of recognition were issued to representatives from the following Jewish congregations:
- Stern Synagogue, Nabugoye
- Nasenyi Abayudaya Synagogue
- Putti Community Synagogue
- Nalubebe Synagogue
- Tsyon Beit Hamitzvot Jewish Community, Mukono.
- Kampala Synagogue
- Namutumba Jewish Community
- Apach Community Synagogue
- Nangolo synagogue
- Namanyonyi synagogue
Alongside the certificate of recognition, a couple of individuals were awarded certificates of appreciation in acknowledgement of their extensive contributions to the community over the years. One of these was Rabbi Sjimond, who travelled to East Africa with his wife, Suzanne. He felt delighted and fulfilled to see what the community have been able to achieve. While receiving multiple certificates of appreciation, he was full of smiles and gratitude to Hashem as he spoke in front of the crowd.
“Showing thanks and appreciation to everyone is pretty good, right, but the most important appreciation and recognition should be ascribed to Hashem, who made this milestone possible and has sustained the community over the years, giving us the power to grow as a people and achieve things beyond our abilities.”
As the day drew to a close, everyone felt joyful and content, having connected with many individuals during the get-together, danced joyfully, and enjoyed a satisfying meal to commemorate the special occasion as the KKSY community began to chart a new path. One of the lessons we’ve learnt is that there are no limits to what we can accomplish as a community through dedication and focus. With unwavering faith in Hashem and a commitment to strengthening each another —as well as building upon existing collaboration and association—African Jewish congregations can realistically move from where they are currently to where they want to be in the future.
