BY THE TIME we stepped off the bus and concluded the last lap of the trip on motorbikes, there was not only a sigh of relief but a wave of jubilation by the members of our community who welcomed us home. After a long overnight journey from Mukono, we carried with us a precious bounty—enough matzot and locally made kosher wine to brighten our entire Passover. These rare festival supplies will let us celebrate the two Seder nights in abundance, and the joy we feel is beyond words.

But let me take you back to where it all began—the onward journey to source matzot and Passover supplies, approximately 295 kilometers from our base in northern Uganda. We had set off shortly after Havdalah at the conclusion of Shabbat, traveling from Kwania, passing through Lira, Kamdini, and Kampala, finally arriving in Mukono, in central Uganda. Mukono is home to two Jewish congregations: the Zion Beit Hamitzvot and the Mukono Orthodox Jewish Community. For several years now, Mukono has been a safe haven during Passover, the place we can always count on for securing matzot and wine.

When we arrived in Mukono by 8am, members of the Zion Beit Hamitzvot community gave us a warm and heartfelt welcome. Alongside me was a brother, Jeremiah Aliro, representing another community from Kwania. Together, we were greeted with smiles and open arms by the Mukono hosts, and soon we joined representatives from other parts of Uganda, including Mbale, Namutumba, and shuls in Western regions. After greetings and a brief catch-up with friends we haven’t seen for a while, we gathered together, and the matzah baking began.

As the matzah baking got underway, it unfolded under the watchful supervision of Sarah Nakintu. Although all present were seasoned bakers, Sarah ensured the process ran smoothly. The venue was bustling, with two distinct mixing sections where groups worked side by side to knead the dough. Once mixed, the shaped dough moved to two different baking areas: one equipped with two industrial ovens and the other a traditional wood-fired fireplace. Sarah moved gracefully between the sections, ensuring every step adhered to the halakha—that all was completed within 18 minutes. There was a clear division of labor: some mixed the dough, others shaped the pieces, and a dedicated team of boys and women carefully placed each piece into the ovens and fire pans, respectively, ensuring every step was organized and swift.

The aroma of baking filled the air, and a spirit of unity swept through the room. Jeremiah Aliro looked around at the gathered bakers and said, “In this moment, we are not just baking matzah; we are singing the song of our ancestors, building a home where tradition meets hope.

I took a few moments away from the baking room to watch how Sarah was making the wine. She was by the fireplace, washing the berries carefully with water. Once they were clean, she placed them into a large pot that sat over the open flame. As the berries boiled, their juice began to mix with the water. After a while, she would separate the solids from the liquid, leaving behind a rich, fragrant base. Watching her, I realized how each step was filled with quiet care, turning simple berries into something truly special.

At the end of the first day, a significant amount of work had been done. After a hearty evening meal and the Ma’ariv prayer, some rested while others kept baking late into the night. The next morning, after Shacharit and breakfast, we returned to the ovens, baking all day until evening. By the end of the second day, there’s a large supply of matzah and wine to go around.

Rabbi Moshe was present during the baking, moving quietly through the room to ensure every step followed halakha. He observed as the bakers mixed, shaped, and baked the matzah, his presence a source of comfort and focus. By the end of the day, he smiled, satisfied with the dedication and the abundance of matzah. Before departing, he offered his blessings, encouraging us all to carry this spirit of unity into the Passover celebration.

Once the matzah and wine were ready for distribution, those of us from Kwania gathered what was allocated to us. Each community received equal portions—matzah, wine, and some amount of cash for their Seder. We especially knew that those coming from the farthest—like us in Kwania—had the longest journey. We left Mukono at 3 p.m. that afternoon, arriving in Kampala by 6:30 PM due to heavy traffic. After waiting for the bus to fill, we finally departed Kampala at 10 p.m. Then we traveled through the night to Lira, arriving home at 5:26 a.m. It was a long, tiring journey; thankful to Hashem for a safe journey; and ready to prepare for the Seder.

In the spirit of Passover, we, the members of the Kwania Jewish Community, want to express our deepest gratitude to Kulanu, whose generous support made this entire journey possible. From covering the transportation expenses for all the other representatives of the 29 communities who traveled to Mukono to providing matzah, wine, and cash stipends, every detail was covered by their vision and commitment. This is why the Matzah Baking was so special—it was part of the Kulanu Passover Challenge, a worldwide fundraising effort that unites Jews from across the globe. Through this effort, contributions provided vital supplies for communities in more than 30 countries. In total, we baked 3,780 matzot under two days of matzah baking in Mukono. These numbers remind us of the abundance we achieved together, and with Kulanu’s support, we know this effort will continue to grow each year.

In conclusion, as I reflect on this journey, I realize how much it has changed me. I have been a regular traveler to Mukono over the years, always returning for this vital pre-Pesach event. Last year, and the year before, I came, but this time, the progress was undeniable. The coordination was smoother, the matzah finer and branded, and the wine richer. With Kulanu’s help and these communities’ dedication, I know we’ll see even more growth each year. There is a real hope that, as the years go by, the matzah, the wine, and every detail will rise to even greater heights, becoming a true standard for us all.

The post Matzah, Wine, and Hope: A Journey from Kwania to Mukono. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

LAST MONTH, in January, the Kwania Jewish community located in Northern Uganda recorded two sets of Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, marking an important milestone in the spiritual life of some of its young members. In keeping with a long-standing tradition, all roads once again led to Mbale in the eastern region of the country, home to the Abayudaya headquarters, where such major religious events are usually observed.

On the first day of the month, a lone Bar Mitzvah ceremony of Gunna Gershom was conducted, followed two weeks later by a joint Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration involving four girls and one boy. The celebrants were Shalom Akello, Sarah Alum, Hanna Ejang, Esther Abuni, and Aaron Okello. This second ceremony in particular was historic for the community, as it brought together several families to witness their children come of age under Jewish halacha.

The journey from Kwania to Mbale spans approximately 300 kilometers and takes about five hours by road. Despite the long distance, the young celebrants were accompanied by their families and a few other members from their synagogue, reflecting the communal nature of the occasion. For years, the Kwania Jewish community—numbering more than 150 congregants—has remained the only Jewish enclave in northern Uganda until the recent emergence of Sharei Shalom Synagogue. However, lacking a Sefer Torah of its own, the community’s founding members have always opted to hold Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies at the iconic Stern Synagogue in Nabugoye, Mbale, a practice that has continued to this day.

The atmosphere during the high-spirited celebration was one of joy and dancing. Dressed in colorful attire, the celebrants stood before the congregation to recite blessings and read from the Torah, their voices steady with confidence and excitement. Songs in Hebrew and the local language filled the synagogue as families and guests joined in prayer and celebration. For the parents, the moment was both spiritual and personal, symbolizing the reward of years of nurturing their children in Jewish learning and values.

Preparations for the event began several weeks earlier, even before the Hanukkah festival. Throughout that period, the celebrants dedicated themselves to prayer, study, and disciplined practice. Under the guidance of their Torah teacher, who happens to be me, by the mercy of Hashem, they learned the relevant parashat for their bar/bat mitzvah day, rehearsed their readings, and studied the meaning of their new responsibilities as adult members of the Jewish community. Barely weeks until the much-anticipated event, all that is required to learn has been covered, raising their confidence level ahead of the January trip to Mbale.

Leaders in the host community described the celebrations as more than a religious rite; they were an affirmation of continuity and faith. In a region where Jewish life is small and geographically isolated, such ceremonies serve as a powerful reminder that tradition can be preserved through commitment and cooperation. Up there, the Kwania community is the last and northernmost Jewish group in the surrounding area up until the distant border with South Sudan.

As the celebrations concluded, prayers were offered for the growth and wisdom of the new Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrants and for the continued strength of the Kwania community. Their journey to Mbale was not merely a physical one but a spiritual passage into responsibility, identity, and belonging.

Beyond the religious ceremony itself, the long-standing connection between Kwania and Nabugoye has also been rooted in the educational context. For many years, young people from Kwania traveled to Nabugoye to attend Jewish-owned primary and secondary schools, where they received basic, formal, and sound education and were groomed in Jewish life before returning home to their community. Today, that relationship is entering a new chapter. With the establishment of a makeshift Jewish-inspired primary school within Kwania—though still in great need of proper facilities and resources—young students can now remain in their community.

In a similar stance, it is hoped that the same progress will be achieved in religious life as well. Should Kwania one day acquire its Sefer Torah, or be able to readily hire one for future Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, they could consequently be held in front of their congregation at home, sparing families the heavy costs and long overland trips to the headquarters at Nabugoye. Such a development would not only ease logistical burdens but would also mark a significant step toward spiritual self-sufficiency for the growing Kwania Jewish community.

The post Kwania Jewish Community Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebration to Mbale. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.