Yearning To Belong

In February of 2002, a Jewish beit din (court) made up of 5 rabbis from the United States and Israel flew to a remote area in Uganda to conduct a formal conversion of over 300 Abayudaya (the Lugandan term for “Jews”), welcoming them into the community of world Jewry.The documentary “Yearning To Belong” records this momentous event as well as examines the difficult question: “Who is a Jew?“For although the Abayudaya have completed the halachic requirements, including a symbolic circumcision and a mikveh or ritual immersion, many in the world Jewish community still will not accept them as Jews

Interviews include among others, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis and Host of WABC Radio’s long-running “Religion on the Line”; Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor Emeritus of The Jewish Theological Seminary; and Rabbi David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

A roundtable discussion between Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Rabbis highlights the range of acceptance of the Abayudaya conversion.

In addition, current photos from the Abayudaya community underline the importance of support by Jews from around the world.

[vc_video link=’https://vimeo.com/97394693‘]