Freshly-Ordained Ugandan Rabbi Gets Ball Rolling on Returning Home
By Roberto Loiederman, July 16, 2008, JewishJournal
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the first black sub-Saharan rabbi ordained at an American rabbinical school, has had a very busy time since returning to Uganda in June, after not having lived there for five years. Among other activities, the American Jewish University graduate recently supervised about 250 formal conversions to Judaism: men, women and children, ages ranging from 4 to 80. Read On...
Judaist Leader Installed in Mbale
By Daniel Edyegu, July 13, 2008, The New Vision: Uganda's Leading Website
The Jewish community in Mbale on Thursday installed the first Rabbi (teacher), Gershom Sizomu, to lead the Judaism sect in Uganda. Read On...
250 Africans Convert to Judaism
Many More Expected to Follow
Over 250 people from Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria formally converted to Judaism in a ceremony held last week in the village of Nabogoye near Mbale, Uganda. They join a community of 800 Abayudaya Jews led by Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, who was recently ordained at American Jewish University, a seminary of Conservative Judaism in Los Angeles, through a fellowship from Be'chol Lashon. Read On...
Historic Day for Black African Jews
First Ever Gathering of African Jewish Communities
The Pan-African Jewish Alliance (PAJA) held its first multi-national meeting on July 11, 2008 with participants from Jewish communities in Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and the United States. The representatives from African Jewish communities gathered in Uganda to celebrate with Rabbi Gershom Sizomu on the occasion of his installation as community rabbi by Conservative rabbis from the United States. Read On...
Scandal in the Rabbinate
By Gershom Gorenberg, July/August 2008, Moment Magazine
Israel’s Supreme Rabbinic Court accepted a radical stance that conversions can be retroactively annulled. The decision is a scandal. Given the ideological divisions in Judaism, there is no universal standard for who is Jewish. Responsible rabbis will make their choices based on their own understanding of Jewish law and of the good of the converts and the community. Read On...
Multiracial Americans Surge in Number, Voice
By Mike Stuckey, May 28, 2008, MSNBC
“I’m Nooksack, I’m Chinese, I’m French and I’m Scottish...When I was a kid, I drank my Ovaltine with real milk, and my cousins and I liked our fried rice with salmon.” At the same time that the nation’s growing diversity and changing social attitudes are helping to swell the ranks of multiracial Americans at 10 times the rate of the white population, the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama, son of a black man and a white woman, has brought new attention, curiosity and discussion to their experiences. Read On...
Study Finds Whites Anxious About Race
The Bryant Park Project, May 28, 2008, NPR
A new study from Northwestern University's Department of Social Psychology finds that many whites worry about inadvertently getting into trouble for seeming biased. As a result, says study author Jennifer Richeson, Caucasians seek to avoid situations where bias might be revealed, such as in the company of black people. Read On... or Listen Here...
Gay Rabbis Getting Married - and Marrying
By Amy Klein, June 17, 2008, The Jewish Journal
It's almost 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, and the line at the West Hollywood Park snakes around itself, as some 400 people wait to obtain marriage licenses on this first official day that the State of California is issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples (aside from one wedding on Monday). Read On...
See Rabbi Lisa Edwards in the film, Praying in Her Own Voice, at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, August 3rd @ Roda Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Click here to purchase your tickets.
A Young Man From Omaha, Who May Perfectly Represent Brooklyn
By Susan Dominus, June 16, 2008, The New York Times
Thanks to his Egyptian father, who left the family when Yosef was young, and his maternal grandfather, who was of African descent by way of Panama, Yosef looks African-American (though his family prefers to describe themselves as Jews of color, believing their culture to be exclusively Jewish). Read On...
Judaism Drawing More Black Americans
By Rebecca Pomerance, June 18, 2008, The Atlantic Journal-Constitution
Dr. Gary Tobin cites three major trends. One, people are increasingly switching religions, he said. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released a survey in February that found 28 percent of American adults have left the faith they were raised in for another one or none at all. The Internet, too, has played a role, allowing people to readily access information on different faiths, he said. Read On...
Zooming In
By Linda Hirsch, July 10, 2008, Jerusalem Post
If anyone had told me seven years ago that I would become a Spanish-speaking advocate of Cuban Jews, I might not have believed them. I had been a psychologist and photojournalist and was focused on commercial photography. As I approached the age of 50, my desire for a new challenge grew and I turned toward sources of inspiration. A single movement of music, composed by a client, provided the catalyst for a trip to Cuba. Read On...
Bolivia's Politics Has Jews Packing
By Daniel Bush, June 23, 2008, JTA
More than any other single event in recent years, the future of Bolivian Jewry may be determined by the outcome of the country's upcoming national referendum on a new constitution. Four of Bolivia's wealthiest provinces have launched autonomous movements in response to the proposal. Read on...
Orthodox Leader Rankles Argentine Jews
By Florencia Arbiser, June 23, 2008, JTA
Will the first Orthodox leader of Argentina's largest Jewish institution represent the entire community? Some Argentine Jews were pondering this question after Guillermo Borger, the new president of the 114-year-old Argentine Israeli Mutual Association, or AMIA, was quoted in a newspaper article referring to "genuine Jews." Read On...
Film: El Salvador's Role of Aiding Jews in WW II FInally Told
By Hadas Gold, June 21, 2008, Chron.com
During World War II, more than 25,000 European Jews became citizens of El Salvador. The country would come to justify its Spanish name as "the savior" thanks to bogus certificates that made thousands of Jews citizens of El Salvador and kept them from being deported to concentration camps. Read On...
Art: Mexican Jewish Artist's Bronzes Featured in KCK Show
By Beth Lipoff, June 13, 2008, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle
If you’re looking for a cross-cultural experience, a new art exhibit may be just the ticket. The gallery of the YWCA of Greater Kansas City will host a show of 30 sculptures and paintings by Vicky Levy, a Mexican Jewish artist, from June 13 to Aug. 6. Read on...
Music: Idan of Arabia
By Itamar Eichner, June 27, 2008,Ynetnews.com
Idan Raichel, one of the most successful Israeli musicians, recently starred on the Arabic television network al-Jazeera. “It was very exciting and surprising to have been given the opportunity to reveal a side of Israel other than the conflict, to the Arab public,” said Raichel. Read on..
SFJFF: Idan Raichel Documentary + Happy Hour with Filmmakers!
Black Over White, new Idan Raichel documentary (followed by Bridge Over the Wadi)
Saturday, July 26, 2008, 4:30pm
Castro Theatre, San Francisco
For more screenings and to buy your ticket, go to www.SFJFF.org
Beloved Israeli pop-music ensemble the Idan Raichel Project is renowned for message-driven lyrics promoting tolerance and melodies blending Jewish, Arab, Caribbean, African, and other diverse musical sounds. In the rousing documentary Black Over White, filmmaker Tomer Heymann follows the gifted, dreadlocked band leader Raichel and his band on a 2006 tour of Ethiopia. (2007, 50 min. No MPAA rating. In Hebrew/Amharic with English subtitles) Click here for more information.
Join Be'chol Lashon Young Adults for Happy Hour + Meet the Filmmakers - Tomer & Barak Heymann
Sat. July 26, immediately following the films
(Address provided with RSVP)
RSVP required, space is limited! Maya@JewishResearch.org
Co-sponsored by Be'chol Lashon, the Hub JCCSF, and the New Israel Fund
IPride, Swirl and Habitot present a Community BBQ
Sunday, July 20, 2008, 11am-4pm
Aquatic Park, Berkeley
80 Bolivar Drive @ the foot of Bancroft Way, at the 80 Freeway
Welcome the entire Bay Area Community! Mixed heritage and transracially adopted youth, adults, partners families and friends! Amazing Afro-Asian BBQ will be selling amazing grilled treats, plus a bake sale with sweets. Please bring food to share. We will provide paper products and lemonade. Bring drums, blankets, kites, balls, and any other toys. More information available at iPride.
Sephardi Heritage Week
August 12 - 18, 2008
Ahabat Torah and the APJCC, Los Gatos
Contact ahabat.torah@gmail.com or 408.266.2342 for more information
Events through the week will celebrate Sephardi Jewish heritage and educate the community. Students from Yeshiva University’s Sephardi Studies Program will be visiting and raising awareness about Anusim – descendants of Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition. A Sephardi cook-off will also be held.
Los Angeles Jewish Symphony Presents: Sephardic-Latino Connection
Sunday, August 24, 2008, 7:30 pm
Tickets are $36 & $25; full-time students with valid ID and children (12 and under) are $12. www.FordTheatres.org or call the Ford Theaters Box Office at (323) 461-3673.
This musical spectacular, conducted by the symphony's founder/artistic director Dr. Noreen Green, showcases music from the rich Sephardic- Latino cultures. For more informaiton, click here.
SAVE THE DATE: Bay Area Be'chol Lashon Retreat 2008
Friday, Oct 10 - Sunday, Oct 12
Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, CA
You are invited to the 5th Annual Bay Area Be’chol Lashon Retreat for ethnically and racially diverse Jews, family and friends, at Walker Creek Ranch. The weekend is an opportunity to learn together, celebrate our Judaism and continue to strengthen our growing community.
Questions? Email Esther@JewishResearch.org
We Are All One: A Conversation on Jewish Identity
Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 7pm
Society for the Advancement of Judaism
15 West 86th Street, New York NY (between Central Park West & Columbus Avenues. B or C train to 86th St.)
$10; limited space, RSVP on calendar entry at ajc.org/accessny Refreshments served
Adam McKinney and Daniel Banks will show an excerpt from their film shot in Ghana with the Jews of Sefwi Wiawso (2006) and lead a community dialogue on Jewish identity, global Judaism, and belonging.
5th Annual Sephardic Anousim Conference in Texas
August 1 -3, 2008
Congregation B'nai Zion
805 Cherry Hill Lane, El Paso Texas
There will be a wide array of programs throughout the weekend including keynote speaker: Rabbi Nisaan Ben-Avraham, Orthodox Rabbi and scribe, born in Palm Majorca as a Catholic, from the Xueta's, a group of people identified by a a derogatory title much like the "muranos". Other speakers include Andree Aelion Brooks, Moshe Ortero and Vanessa Paloma (pictured above).
For more program information, contact Sonya Loya at tav_22@yahoo.com, 505-257-0122
We welcome your participation in the Be’chol Lashon Newsletter!
Please send us information about events in your community or articles of interest that relate to Jewish diversity. E-mail newsletter submissions to Esther Fishman, Esther@JewishResearch.org. Submissions are subject to editing for content, clarity and style.
Special thanks to all the contributors who make the newsletter interesting and informative.
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