The Jewish Innovation
The Abayudaya community was founded in 1880 by a group of native Ugandans who after discovering the wisdom and spirituality of Judaism chose to pursue Jewish peoplehood. The movement quickly grew but experienced virulent antisemitism that culminated in the rise of Anti-Zionist Idi Amin who outlawed Judaism and destroyed their synagogues. B”H much has since changed and the Abayudaya are experiencing a rebirth, receiving attention from many in the global Jewish community. Living as subsistence farmers, the Abayudaya of Putti have dedicated themselves to Halakhic Judaism; converting under the auspices of Rabbi Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Israel. Dedicated as they are to the Jewish State, most of the Abayudaya have never been to Israel. It is our goal to bring a delegation of 10 Abayudaya youth leaders to Israel this September 2016 to participate in a week long Israel experience and educational seminar about Jewish/Israeli identity and activism.
The Impact
The Herut movement is dedicated to strengthening Jewish unity and identity throughout the Land of Israel and the Diaspora. In the spirit of Torah, Zionism, and social justice it is incumbent on us to make Jewish educational opportunities available for all of the children of Israel. If we can bring 10 Jewish Ugandan youth activists to Israel for an educational seminar they will bring back to their community the knowledge and experience necessary for making the Abayudaya a more powerful and essential piece of the greater Jewish community. An important investment in the future leaders of the Jewish people and the Jewish State.
What Will You Do with the Money?
As a non-profit all volunteer organization (registered 501c3), the Herut movement has budgeted to pay for all expenses once they are in Israel-for the entire week. What we need to raise are the travel funds from Uganda to Nairobi airport and the flight to Ben Gurion International airport. All donations go directly to purchasing visas, passports, airplane tickets, and the car ride from Putti village to Israeli consulate and Nairobi airport. The plane tickets will be around 1500$x10=15000$ 8 Passports at 150$= 1200$ 10 visa applications at 50$=500 Local transport from the village to Nairobi at 150$ for 10 travelers=1500$ accommodation during the application process in Kenya 500$and food for the grand total of 18,700$
