Ep 11: Rabbi Gershom Sizomu and Jay Sand (Jewish Stories/Jewish Music)

I don’t want to give too much away about this episode except to say Rabbi Gershom shares an amazing story that truly involves a miracle happening, and he and Jay have a truly remarkable friendship that they speak about. This episode is very special.  Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, who was ordained at the Zeigler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2007, is the spiritual leader of the 100-year-old Abayudaya ("People of Judah") community of almost 3,000 Jews living in rural villages in Eastern Uganda. He is the grandson of community elder Rabbi Samson Mugombe and lives near the Moses Synagogue in the village of Nabugoya, which he and others from the community’s early 1980s “Kibbutz movement” built with their own hands. His goal has been to gather back together what was left of the Abayudaya community after the devastating reign of Idi Amin Dada ended in 1979. It is readily apparent to those who visit that the Abayudaya endure extremely harsh conditions of African life; yet despite these challenges, they express such joy and gratitude for God, being Jewish, and being part of the collective Jewish people. Your donation will go directly to support the Abayudaya Community in Uganda. Scan the QR code with your cell phone, which will take you to the donation page, and then choose Abayudaya Fund in the "Type" drop-down box. Or type stsgive.org in your web browser. The fund is administered by Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills, CA. Please be assured that 100% of your donation will go to aid the Abayudaya community. For questions, contact Shomrei Torah Synagogue at (818) 854-7650 https://sts.shulcloud.com/payment.php Jay Sand, guitarist and children's music teacher, dad of three girls and world traveler (much more so before he became the dad of three girls), developed the All Around This World curriculum with his children as a way to introduce them to the countries he's already visited and the many more he plans to visit with them. Jay held his first All Around This World classes in 2009 in his West Philadelphia living room. Since then, AATW classes have caught on and spread to multiple cities around the world, both “in person” and, in our newly Zoom-friendly age, online. http://www.ExploreEverywhere.com https://allaroundthisworld.teachable.com/ Songs used  Richie by BJ Snowden  https://bjsnowdenmusic.com/ I Never Feel Alone (Instrumental) There Was a Light (Instrumental)  https://www.stephenbluhm.fun/ More info on Jewish Vintage Annals Archive https://www.vintageannalsarchive.com/the-jewish-vintage-annals-archive---digital-online-archive-and-podcast.html Please Support If you'd like to support this project please join our Patreon. We could really use support to keep this going! Special content, perks, and more! https://www.patreon.com/VintageAnnalsArchive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vintageannalsarchive/ Interviewed and edited by Richie Wexler Sponsor For info on Risk Podcast https://www.risk-show.com Info on Kevin's coaching and such https://kevinallison.net Please support this project at Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VintageAnnalsArchive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vintageannalsarchive/ Interviewed and edited by Richie Wexler Sponsor For info on Risk Podcast https://www.risk-show.com Info on Kevin's coaching and such https://kevinallison.net