After long legal fight, man from Ugandan Jewish community is approved for Israeli citizenship
‘I cannot describe how I feel at this moment after being approved as an Israeli,’ Kibita said in a statement
Uganda
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News Jews Of Uganda Are Torn Apart Over A Bitter Sibling Rivalry
During a recent Shabbat service here, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu led dozens of worshippers in a prayer for unity. Women sang psalms. Children clapped. Men wearing yarmulkes played drums and guitars. Locally known in Uganda as Abayudaya or “the people of Judah,” they practice Conservative Judaism with an African flair — and right now, need exactly…
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Fast Forward Ugandan Jew Denied Visa To Study In Israeli Yeshiva
(JTA) — A Jewish man from Uganda who led a Birthright trip to Israel in September was denied a visa to study at a yeshiva there. Asiimwe Rabbin, 28, had intended to participate in a program at the Conservative yeshiva in Jerusalem, but was told this week he would not get the required visa because…
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Fast Forward Conservative Movement Outraged At Israel’s Rejection Of Ugandan Jews
NEW YORK (JTA) — The head of the Conservative movement’s rabbinical organization sharply criticized Israel for reportedly deciding not to recognize Uganda’s Jewish community, whose members converted under Conservative auspices. Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, who leads the Rabbinical Assembly, said the Conservative movement was “shocked and extremely outraged” at the decision, which she called “unlawful.” “This…
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Israel News Israel Will Not Recognize Uganda ‘Jews’
After years of deliberations, the Israeli Interior Ministry has resolved not to grant recognition to the Jewish community of Uganda, Haaretz has learned. Its decision was revealed in a response to the first and only request thus far by a member of the 2,000-strong Ugandan Abayudaya community, who sought to immigrate to Israel under the…
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Fast Forward Ugandan Dance Group Goes Viral With Video Of Israeli Hit
A dance group in Uganda has made a video video for Israel’s Eurovision song contest entry, “Toy,” is going viral, the Jewish Chronicle reported. The group, called Spoon Youth, dances in the Namuwongo slum of Kampala, Uganda, and chose the Israeli singer Netta’s growing hit song after Israeli volunteers recommended it. “The guys heard the…
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News He Came To Israel Fleeing Oppression. Will He Be Deported?
On the face of it, Teklit Michael is similar to so many Israelis living in Tel Aviv. He just marked 10 years living in the city, works at a non-profit, and speaks fluent Hebrew and English. But after a decade in Israel, he might get sent packing to a country he’s never been to before,…
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Fast Forward Conservative Rabbis Call On Israel To Admit Kenyan Convert
(JTA) — Conservative rabbis have called on Israel to allow a Kenyan convert to study at its yeshiva in Jerusalem. A visa application submitted by Yehudah Kimani last week was rejected by the country’s Interior Ministry. It is the second time that Kimani has been denied entrance to the country. “Kimani is a Jew, converted…
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