Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi in Uganda

Today we combine two regular features of Jewish Humor Central -- Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places and a song from the Kabbalat Shabbat service to welcome the weekly day of rest.

Two years ago we  posted a video of the girls from the Nangolo Synagogue in Uganda singing Mizmor leDavid from the Shabbat Morning Service. The Nangolo Synagogue is one of nine established by the Abayudaya people of Uganda.

Today we are sharing a video of Nangolo children singing Lecha Dodi in front of the synagogue.

The Abayudaya (People of Judah) are a community in eastern Uganda near the town of Mbale who practice Judaism. They are devout in their practice, keeping kashrut, and observing Shabbat. There are several different villages where the Abayudaya live. Most of these are recognized by the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism. In June 2016 Rabbi Shlomo Riskin led a Beit Din that performed an Orthodox conversion for the Putti community of Abayudaya.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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