Uganda’s Jewish community has been recognized by the Israeli government paving way for those who want to return to the promised land.
In a letter addressed to Israel’s Conservative movement by the Jewish Agency, the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda are to be formally recognized as a Jewish community.
This new development means that if their existence is acknowledge by Israel. They can be allowed to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return which states that ‘every Jew has a right to return and right to live in Israel.’
Rabbi Anderw Sacks, director of the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative movement in Israel noted that “the Jewish Agency has recognized the community as Jewish since 2009 and also recognizes the authority of Gershom Sizou, the Abayudaya rabbi.”
It’s estimated that approximately 1,500 Ugandans are members of the Abayudaya Community. They have been observing Judaism since the 20th century.
Sacks told Haaretz that the Ugandan Jews have faced difficulties obtaining visas from Israel’s Ministry of Interior for study programs in the Jewish state.
