Thank you so much for visiting our site. We are really excited to
begin sharing our adventures and experiences. Right now, we are
busily preparing for our departure. We will spend a week in London
beginning on July 9 prior to moving to Uganda.
As promised, this post includes an explanation of the name of our
blog. The people in Uganda speak about 70 different Bantu languages.
Having once been a British colony, one of the official languages (and
the language of education) is English. Luganda, the other official
language, is the local language spoken by the largest number of
Ugandans. One of the languages spoken where we will be living and
working, Mbale, Uganda, is Lugisu. In this language, the standard
greeting begins with Mulembe meaning hello.
We hope that through this blog we can introduce readers to the local
culture in Mbale, the Eastern Region of Uganda, and begin a discussion
that will continue for the year and beyond.
I wish you much hatzlachah! Looking forward to hearing/reading/seeing. Will you introduce to the Jews in Uganda the venerable turducken?
Jeff
Hi there! We will miss you, but are confident that you will have an awesome year. Can’t wait to read the blog and hear all about your adventures. Love, Mom and Dad Baldachin
Dear Adam and Maital,
The Nesiya summer in Israel started without you; several of us from the winter retreat are wishing you well, inspired by your enthusiasm, positive energy, love for people, and search for meaning in this big world of ours… We wish you many unexpected opportunities for learning and growing and giving..
Nesiya Tova, and much love and admiration,
Charles H, Tami D., Eitan R., Ilana F., David G., and many others we hope to introduce to you sometime in the future…
Mulembe Maital and Adam!
Please include more Lugisu and Luganda words in future posts. Can’t wait to follow your adventures. I miss you already!
with love, admiration, and excitement…
Shira
Maital and Adam,
It is great to hear from you. I look forward to reading the blog.
Rabbi Julie
Dear Adam and Maital:
It has been a pleasure reading your posts thus far (I read them all but posted under this category). I know you will be true exemplars to the community and will learn an immense amount while imparting much to your minions. I remember a good number of years ago when I have the pleasure of teaching Hebrew and Judaism to Ethiopian olim who had just come to Israel in 1990. It is great teaching people who have a background so different from your own.
I must admit that I absolutely love the Abuyadaya tunes (I have the CD that Jeff Summit made), especially “adonu oluma” (or something like that).
Kol tuv and have an easy Tisha B’av fast,
Akiva
Dear Adam and Maital,
I am Justin David, a Conservative Rabbi in Northampton, MA. I actually spent about 2 weeks in Mbale this past winter, getting to know the Abayudaya. It was thrilling, as is, I’m sure, your experience.
Aaron, JJ and Gershom have all stayed at my house at different times, and it was a thrill to spend Shabbat on Nabogoye Hill at Yisrael Sariri’s home.
Please send my warmest wishes to Aaron Kintu Moses, as well as Susan Nambe, her buddy Sara, “tall” Susan, Joseph Kalima, Naume, Yael, Mama Rebecca, JJ, Samson Shadrack and “Doctor” Samson and Israel Sariri. They are all remarkable people.
Finally, please feel free to send me an e-mail. I’d love to compare notes on our experiences!
Kol tuv and b’hatzlacha,
Mirembe, B’shalom,
Justin David
I miss you guys soooo much!!! I had a dream about you and I want to discuss it!!
I love you and hope you are doing amazing, which I have no doubt
Talya