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Hello All,
Please consider helping Foster with his Bar Mitzvah project. I have met with Rav Mugoya Shadrach Levi, the new Rabbi in Namutumba Uganda, who was here last year in the US studying for his smicha. I am excited about the prospects of helping him and his community and their neighboring seven small Jewish communities who are all lacking in even the most basic needs.
I have formerly done fundraising for the Jewish population in the community of Namutumba in Uganda. Last year I and some dear friends helped complete a house for their 75-year-old Rabbi, their beloved Rabbi Eri. Before taking over the project and getting adequate funds, the house was under construction for over ten years. He was in desperate need for shelter for him and his family, as the water from the torrential rains, during rainy season was seeping through the roof and walls of his dilapidated hut.
I have been in touch with a filmmaker who lived and filmed in the community and a student from Brown University who lived there for 5 months. They both corroborated the story and I have footage of life in Uganda below (scroll down). It is truly heartbreaking with no running water, sanitation and the massive malaria and typhoid epidemics killing community members on a daily basis, especially their elderly and children.
Upon my meeting with the new Rabbi, there are many other needs that this community has and for which they need supplies and funding. Among their needs are: mosquito nets (I found a manufacture in Uganda that I am in touch with where I can purchase them to avoid the incredible shipping charges), bug repellent, Jewish articles (siddurim, tanach, tehillim, talit, megillah, machzors, tikun, etc.), and water filtration bottles/pitchers with replacement filters.
Foster, myself and Eric are making the trip and are personally bringing these items to them this coming August. With the help of a generous colleague I found a wonderful organization called “The Memorial Scrolls Trust” who will donate a Torah for us to bring to them (how exciting!). Beth El in New Rochelle, where we are members, already agreed to provide me with Jewish articles that they have available.
We need funds to purchase mosquito nets, bug repellent and water filtration devices for the communities in need. PLEASE consider donating a money amount that you are comfortable with. There are power in numbers! Also, if you know of any other families (and synagogues) that would be interested in funding this project, please pass this along to them.
Thank you taking the time to read this. Please read the e-mail below which Tamas the filmmaker was disseminating and which he had no success at getting help for this community. Please also watch the 4 minute footage below. It’s heartwarming and heart wrenching.
Best Regards,
Michelle
Dr. Michelle Maidenberg ////
W E B / I N S T A G R A M / F A C E B O O K / T W I T T E R / L I N K E D I N
From: Tamás Wormser
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2014 3:57 AM
To: Michelle Maidenberg
Subject: Re: Mugoya Shadrach Levi in Uganda
Hi Michelle,
I'm in Italy at the moment, on vacation – that's why i'm a bit slow and short with my responses. The film, The Wandering Muse, I'm doing is not yet released. Here's the email i send out to quite a few places – with 0 success:
Dear Mr. X,
I'm an independent Montreal-based filmmaker. While filming The Wandering Muse, my upcoming film on Jewish music, last January I spent two extraordinary days in Namutumba, Uganda. There, I met the most honest, joyful and spiritual people in the world. But while I was a visitor only passing through, and was prepared for the harsh realities of the region - no running water or electricity - the level of poverty in this village left me deeply affected. No human beings should have to live this way.
Background
This wonderful Abayudaya Conservative Jewish community is made up of 550 members, the majority of whom are under 18. They live the richest community and religious life I have ever witnessed. Luckily, nature provides them with the basic needs and the people of Namutumba are able to sustain themselves through subsistence farming. But they have little or no opportunity to generate money. The resulting poverty is unimaginably cruel for this group of Jews.
The 72-year-old Rabbi Eri is the spiritual leader. He lives in a tiny mud-hut with his family of six - in one bed - but with hundreds of books. This joyous, hard-working man with young children has had a difficult life. During the dictatorship of Idi Amin Dada, when Judaism was forbidden, he lived in exile, wandering in Kenya and Tanzania.
Upon his return, he rebuilt the community in Namutumba. This was one of the first villages where Judaism evolved in 1909. At the time of my visit, his youngest daughter was infected with malaria, but he had no money to cure her. I was grateful to be able to help him buy inexpensive medication. As well, the Rabbi needs sustained support to build a safe home for his family. The rabbi began to build 10 years ago, yet only reached the 3rd layer of bricks before running out of money.
Community Needs
The Ugandan government was threatening to close their rudimentary synagogue, because of the lack of a latrine. Years ago, the village dug the 33-feet hole, but cannot afford to finish their project. I gave them the money (only $350) needed to complete the latrine.
The most immediate needs of the community are inexpensive, but life-saving – mosquito nets against malaria and clean drinking water to stop the spread of typhoid. There is a steady rise in mortalities from both of these diseases that needs to be stopped before further progress can be made.
Beyond these basic needs, the village requires help to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants. Education is key for this young multilingual population - yet school fees make it impossible for most to complete even high school. Funding is desperately needed to build a school in the village. The synagogue they are so proud of is simply four walls and a roof – this Jewish community hopes for funding to finish their shul, and to fill it with vital prayer books, books for study on Talmud and – what would be most sacred – their very own Torah scroll.
Request for Assistance
I helped the community as best I could while there, but today, Namutumba needs far more support than what a single individual can provide. I lack the necessary experience in fundraising and fund-spending But these people have been completely left alone, and they desperately need help from the larger world Jewish community.
I made this short video: https://vimeo.com/69897989. Please watch it, it's only 4 mins. l am seeking volunteers and NGO's who can take on this cause, and finally bring improvement as soon as possible to Namutumba . The village hopes to create micro-financing plans in order to build a sustainable future independent from foreign aid.
On behalf of the Jews of Namutumba, the poorest of all Jewish communities, I would deeply appreciate any advice or support.
With many thanks,
Tamás Wormser
tamás wormser | www.artesianfilms.com | 1.514.277-1584
https://vimeo.com/69897989
Please consider helping Foster with his Bar Mitzvah project. I have met with Rav Mugoya Shadrach Levi, the new Rabbi in Namutumba Uganda, who was here last year in the US studying for his smicha. I am excited about the prospects of helping him and his community and their neighboring seven small Jewish communities who are all lacking in even the most basic needs.
I have formerly done fundraising for the Jewish population in the community of Namutumba in Uganda. Last year I and some dear friends helped complete a house for their 75-year-old Rabbi, their beloved Rabbi Eri. Before taking over the project and getting adequate funds, the house was under construction for over ten years. He was in desperate need for shelter for him and his family, as the water from the torrential rains, during rainy season was seeping through the roof and walls of his dilapidated hut.
I have been in touch with a filmmaker who lived and filmed in the community and a student from Brown University who lived there for 5 months. They both corroborated the story and I have footage of life in Uganda below (scroll down). It is truly heartbreaking with no running water, sanitation and the massive malaria and typhoid epidemics killing community members on a daily basis, especially their elderly and children.
Upon my meeting with the new Rabbi, there are many other needs that this community has and for which they need supplies and funding. Among their needs are: mosquito nets (I found a manufacture in Uganda that I am in touch with where I can purchase them to avoid the incredible shipping charges), bug repellent, Jewish articles (siddurim, tanach, tehillim, talit, megillah, machzors, tikun, etc.), and water filtration bottles/pitchers with replacement filters.
Foster, myself and Eric are making the trip and are personally bringing these items to them this coming August. With the help of a generous colleague I found a wonderful organization called “The Memorial Scrolls Trust” who will donate a Torah for us to bring to them (how exciting!). Beth El in New Rochelle, where we are members, already agreed to provide me with Jewish articles that they have available.
We need funds to purchase mosquito nets, bug repellent and water filtration devices for the communities in need. PLEASE consider donating a money amount that you are comfortable with. There are power in numbers! Also, if you know of any other families (and synagogues) that would be interested in funding this project, please pass this along to them.
Thank you taking the time to read this. Please read the e-mail below which Tamas the filmmaker was disseminating and which he had no success at getting help for this community. Please also watch the 4 minute footage below. It’s heartwarming and heart wrenching.
Best Regards,
Michelle
Dr. Michelle Maidenberg ////
W E B / I N S T A G R A M / F A C E B O O K / T W I T T E R / L I N K E D I N
From: Tamás Wormser
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2014 3:57 AM
To: Michelle Maidenberg
Subject: Re: Mugoya Shadrach Levi in Uganda
Hi Michelle,
I'm in Italy at the moment, on vacation – that's why i'm a bit slow and short with my responses. The film, The Wandering Muse, I'm doing is not yet released. Here's the email i send out to quite a few places – with 0 success:
Dear Mr. X,
I'm an independent Montreal-based filmmaker. While filming The Wandering Muse, my upcoming film on Jewish music, last January I spent two extraordinary days in Namutumba, Uganda. There, I met the most honest, joyful and spiritual people in the world. But while I was a visitor only passing through, and was prepared for the harsh realities of the region - no running water or electricity - the level of poverty in this village left me deeply affected. No human beings should have to live this way.
Background
This wonderful Abayudaya Conservative Jewish community is made up of 550 members, the majority of whom are under 18. They live the richest community and religious life I have ever witnessed. Luckily, nature provides them with the basic needs and the people of Namutumba are able to sustain themselves through subsistence farming. But they have little or no opportunity to generate money. The resulting poverty is unimaginably cruel for this group of Jews.
The 72-year-old Rabbi Eri is the spiritual leader. He lives in a tiny mud-hut with his family of six - in one bed - but with hundreds of books. This joyous, hard-working man with young children has had a difficult life. During the dictatorship of Idi Amin Dada, when Judaism was forbidden, he lived in exile, wandering in Kenya and Tanzania.
Upon his return, he rebuilt the community in Namutumba. This was one of the first villages where Judaism evolved in 1909. At the time of my visit, his youngest daughter was infected with malaria, but he had no money to cure her. I was grateful to be able to help him buy inexpensive medication. As well, the Rabbi needs sustained support to build a safe home for his family. The rabbi began to build 10 years ago, yet only reached the 3rd layer of bricks before running out of money.
Community Needs
The Ugandan government was threatening to close their rudimentary synagogue, because of the lack of a latrine. Years ago, the village dug the 33-feet hole, but cannot afford to finish their project. I gave them the money (only $350) needed to complete the latrine.
The most immediate needs of the community are inexpensive, but life-saving – mosquito nets against malaria and clean drinking water to stop the spread of typhoid. There is a steady rise in mortalities from both of these diseases that needs to be stopped before further progress can be made.
Beyond these basic needs, the village requires help to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants. Education is key for this young multilingual population - yet school fees make it impossible for most to complete even high school. Funding is desperately needed to build a school in the village. The synagogue they are so proud of is simply four walls and a roof – this Jewish community hopes for funding to finish their shul, and to fill it with vital prayer books, books for study on Talmud and – what would be most sacred – their very own Torah scroll.
Request for Assistance
I helped the community as best I could while there, but today, Namutumba needs far more support than what a single individual can provide. I lack the necessary experience in fundraising and fund-spending But these people have been completely left alone, and they desperately need help from the larger world Jewish community.
I made this short video: https://vimeo.com/69897989. Please watch it, it's only 4 mins. l am seeking volunteers and NGO's who can take on this cause, and finally bring improvement as soon as possible to Namutumba . The village hopes to create micro-financing plans in order to build a sustainable future independent from foreign aid.
On behalf of the Jews of Namutumba, the poorest of all Jewish communities, I would deeply appreciate any advice or support.
With many thanks,
Tamás Wormser
tamás wormser | www.artesianfilms.com | 1.514.277-1584
https://vimeo.com/69897989