Kampala Sunday Vision Article

On our first day in Nabugoye, Uganda, a Muslim reporter from Kampala's weekly newspaper, Sunday Vision, was in the village working on an article. It was Christmas Day and the reporter, named Moses, was writing a human interest story of a group of Ugandans who do not celebrate Christmas. We liked the idea of a Muslim reporter writing about Jews who observe a religion different from Christians. He shadowed Rabbi Gershom and joined all of us when we toured the home, and tombsite of King Kakungulu. This morning, the article went to print and is available, as well at the following link. Look at the photo carefully. You will notice Marc in the upper right hand corner (with his head replaced by a photo of Rabbi Gershom). We love the Weiss family as our own....and now, according to the article...Rebecca and Shayna have joined the Weiss'. We know they wish they were with Weiss' right now (as they head towards Antarctica!)

http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=651&newsId=668434

Kenya Photos

Lounging Hippos

Is she in Kenya...or Tanzania? Both, actually

Good day for Lion. Bad day for Giraffe.

Cattle crossing.

Not happy with the monkeys these days.

A rare Rhino sighting

Are they black on white, or white on black? Send in your answers!

On the rim of the crater

A giant volcanic rock

The equatorial family

That's a Croc. Stay back!

Shayna in the Samburu village with two leadership sticks and her welcome necklace


Making clean water from the river near the Samburu village

Making toothbrushes from the trees with a Samburu warrior

Slow down..... Baboon crossing.

That's one REALLY MEAN buffalo

Rebecca, EJ, Shayna on top of the Safari Jeep

That cat can JUMP! Off the roof, kids.

Giraffe crossing

Mirembe Coffee

During our time in Uganda, we learned about an interfaith coffee cooperative headed up by JJ, an Abayudaya Jew (as well as Rabbi Gershom's older brother). Holly, the national sales director of the Thanksgiving Coffee Company, which is based in Ft. Bragg and sells JJ's coffee, stayed at the guest house with us during our shabbat in the Nabugoye village. We visited JJ's house and learned how he grows his coffee and processes the beans. Then, we visited the offices of the cooperative near the village of Nabugoye, outside the regional center Mbale. Needless to say, we're now big fans of Mirembe coffee, even though we don't really drink coffee! Here's some photos as well as a link to the coffee company that sells the coffee and a video that tells the story (including an interview with JJ and some scenes from his home).


Our hands picking through the coffee beans

Holly, from the Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and Dr. Liz, from Chicago.

Shayna displaying a coffee bean at JJ's farm.

The Weiss' and Rebecca at JJ's coffee farm.

Rebecca sorting coffee beans

Isaac teaching about coffee


The Coffee Cooperative office

Marc checking out the coffee ready for export

More coffee...

GREAT posters for Mirembe

Rebecca and Isaac

Here's the link to the video:
http://www.mirembekawomera.com/movie

Kenya Photos

Stay tuned...

Uganda Photos

Marc, Rabbis Darren and Gershom at our farewell dinner in Mbale

Shayna and some new friends

The Dollingers in the cotton fields of Puti with the Puti village rabbi

Marc (Moshe) with his Abayudaya namesake, Moshe (Ezekial, the eldest Abayudaya in next to Moshe) at the Annual Music and Dance Festival

Rebecca and friends at the Nabugoye synagogue

JJ, Rabbi Darren (and Gershom in background) singing kabbalat shabbat

The girls in their mosquito nets for sleeping

Rebecca dancing at the annual Abayudaya song and dance festival

Isaac teaches Rebecca about coffee production at JJ's home.
See http://www.mirembekawomera.com/ on this incredible story.

The Dollingers in front of the Moses Synagogue

Rebecca, Rabbi Gershom, Marci, and Shayna celebrating the arrival of a new Torah in Nabugoye

Marc handing off the Torah to Rabbi Darren

Kippot for Rebecca's bat mitzvah drying on the fence

Group picture with Rabbi Gershom at site of King Kakungulu's home

Rabbi Gershom and Rebecca at the site of King Kakungulu's Palace, explaining how they made banana wine in the earthen stone

Isaac, EJ, Shayna, Marc and Rabbi Darren in the Puti village synagogue

Rebecca and a new friend from the village of Nabugoye

Shayna flexing in Nabugoye

Playing dreidle in the Nabugoye synagogue

Rebecca hiking to Sipi Falls in Uganda

Rabbi Gershom's daughter, Daphne, lighting Hanukkah candles

Rebecca with Ezekiel, the oldest Abayudaya at age 94

Shayna with Rabbi Gershom and Tziporah in Nabugoye


Marci and the girls helping to prepare a meal for the Abayudaya community