To the Beat of their Own Drums

Who are the Abayudaya?

The Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda was founded in 1919 when their tribal leader, Semei Kakangulu, broke with the majority Christian missionary culture and declared himself Jewish. With only the Five Books of Moses as his guide, he and his thousands of followers began practicing Biblical Judaism. For decades, their ritual life centered on a melody he composed for the Hebrew Biblical poem “Ha’azinu, Give Ear.” For over 100 years, this song has been central to the practice of Judaism in East Africa.

Over the course of many subsequent years, as the community was introduced to Rabbinic Judaism and to modern Jewish life and culture, the people wove their African and Jewish stories together in unique and inspiring ways. Life was never easy, and during the oppressive rule of dictator Idi Amin Dada in the 1970’s the Abayudaya suffered greatly. The 300 community members who survived those dark days emerged with a commitment to rebuild their Jewish life in Uganda. Turning again to music, the young people of the day wrote new melodies that are an extraordinary mix of Jewish and African music, containing Hebrew, Luganda, and English. Modern guitar and ancient drum beats. [Listen To Music Here]

Meet the Team

Why this Project?

The Abayudaya are a unique Jewish community whose stories of resilience and flourishing are inspiring and uplifting. There is so much we from around the world can learn from them. While the Abayudaya are a growing and thriving community, its members are largely subsistence farmers. This film will help them garner support from communities around the world, fight poverty, and develop community projects for the good of all. This project is intended to spread awareness about the community and influence a new generation of Jews to have a strong connection with the Abayudaya.

Why This Filmmaker?

Shamir Burg is heading towards his senior year at Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA), which offers resources and support that will be critical in the creation of this project, like advice from working professionals. As a selective, pre-professional public high school, BSA students split their time between academics and arts training. Shamir is part of the Film and Visual Storytelling department and has invested a lot of time and heart into growing his skills as an artist. This film project is a culmination of his training and a way to use that training to help improve the world. 

Having known Rabbi Gershom Sizomu for his entire life, Shamir was particularly inspired and motivated to make this film when he got to travel to visit the community in the summer of 2024. The people he met and relationships he developed while in Uganda are central to the making of this film.

Why Now?

The Abayudaya have an urgent need to raise awareness and funds for community projects such as: micro-credit grants, expansion of the health center (that serves not just the Jewish community but its neighbors as well), food for schools, rabbinic training, and college/vocational training. Also, with the collapse of USAID, communities around the world need more support from ordinary people, and the Abayudaya are no exception.

The money raised here will help support this film-making effort* and, in doing so, amplify the voices of the Abayudaya so that they and we together can build a better world.

*Project budget estimate is $20,000 including travel, equipment, and honoraria for Ugandan film makers. American team members are donating their time and expertise.

We've elected not to use Go Fund Me or similar sites to ensure that every dollar raised goes to support this project. If you use a PayPal balance or bank account there will be no transaction fees.