A glimpse into Abayudaya Community: Reviewing the Very Best Sukkah, a Story from Uganda 

Written by Shoshana Nambi, a Jewish Ugandan author. Her first book, “The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda,” is a tale meant for young readers. The storyline is set in eastern Uganda. The Very Best Sukkah is a unique story set in the Ugandan Abayudaya Jewish community, offering a fresh perspective in Jewish children’s literature.

The storybook beautifully captures the essence of unity and togetherness, providing insight into the Jewish people’s journey through the desert to Israel and the miracles that God bestowed upon them. This event marks the bountiful harvest and honors the historical journey of the Jewish people from Egypt to Israel through the desert. Hence, the celebration of the feast of booths, also known as Sukkot.

The book showcased a diverse cast of characters including Shoshi, Avram, Jajja, The Rabbi, David, Dina, Nalongo, Moshe, Daudi, Rebecca, Sarah, Yonatan, Isaac, and Nbilo the goat. Shoshi and her goat, Nbilo, triumphantly won the race against their peers at the start of the story. Jajja her grandmother scolds her, emphasizing that life is not a race. Shoshi’s response quickly became one of my favorites. “It’s not like I always have to win the race; I just like being at the front. The view is better there.”

Shoshi, the lead character, lives with her grandparents in a small home surrounded by coffee trees in the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda. She lives with her brothers and together they abide by Jewish practices on a daily basis. On Shabbat, the rabbi speaks to his congregation as they sit beneath a mango tree. He points out that the solemn Yom Kippur holiday, which includes the feast of atonement and fasting, has come to an end. It was time to celebrate the successful journey of the Jewish people from the wilderness to the promised land – it was time for Sukkot. Readers will discover various aspects of African Jewish life as Shoshi and her friends get ready for Sukkot. The tone of Nambi’s writing is never didactic; instead, her characters are real people living in a particular town, where the kids count the stars in the sky and the local seamstress makes curtains for her sukkah.

Shoshi and her brothers build a sukkah (a temporary shelter) to celebrate Sukkot. They are eager for the rabbi to choose theirs as the best tent in the village. Every year, a competition is held to decide the most outstanding sukkah. After a storm destroys the structure of Daudi and his daughter Rebecca, the community moves past the competition to honor the holiday, and rebuild together. Everybody knows that the new sukkah that was built to replace Daudi and Rebecca’s old ones—which were wrecked by the rain—is the most beautiful one because it reflects the skills in the entire community.

Shoshi depicted the character of a cheerful, responsible, and talented young lad. She asked insightful questions and, most importantly, held her religious beliefs in high esteem. “Every Friday, I race home from school to help my Jajja prepare our Shabbat meal. It’s my job to mix cassava and millet flour to make the dough for the kalo bread.” Mixing dough for challah (the baked Jewish bread for shabbat), visiting the synagogue, collecting piles of the Nsambya tree branches for building the sukkah, keeping her crying goat company during the heavy rain and thunder, helping build back Daudi’s sukkah that was destroyed by the rain, and being satisfied with everything she did. That is a character with a kind heart and zeal towards everything concerning her religious beliefs she possesses.

The Rabbi shows traits of a good leader, highlighting the importance of unity, similar to the symbolism of the lulav. The other characters in the story exhibit kindness, hard work, responsibility towards each other, and a strong commitment to doing good deeds. Nevertheless, each character plays a significant role in the fascinating and heartwarming story. 

Another interesting angle to this story is that every character had something to do and made an honest living. “Each sukkah looks different, and each one reflects its builder’s special skills and talents. Dina is the school’s art teacher. Her family’s sukkah is decorated with her student’s colorful artwork.” “Nalongo, the mother of twins and the village seamstress, has sewn beautiful curtains and pillows for the family’s sukkah.”

 “And Moshe has sukkah filled with bowls of brightly colored fruits and vegetables from his own bountiful garden.  He also offers a dish of roasted groundnuts for passersby to try. This teaches the need to do something honest. And the need to stretch out your hand when the need be. It also teaches the importance and beauty of individual skills and talents. We can’t know it all. We need our neighbors and brothers. Throughout the year, Daudi and his daughter Rebecca run a stand in the village where they sell mouthwatering samosas. Daudi has saved money to buy fancy battery-operated lights and elegant crochet trim in the big town of Mbale to decorate his sukkah.

  
 While constructing the sukkah, at first it was a competition to see who could win the best sukkah. Daudi and his daughter Rebecca put in extra effort and saved money to ensure their sukkah stood out. Regrettably, it was destroyed by the rain. However, since superstitions are common in most Jewish communities, it is not shocking that some Abadudaya residents wonder if their jealousy of Daudi’s decorative sukkah led to its collapse. It’s lovely how they set aside the competition and work together to rebuild Daudi and Rebecca’s sukkah. Upon arriving at Daudi and Rebecca’s house with our branches, we are greeted by a large gathering of villagers. Everyone has something to share. Dina has a collection of her students’ artwork, Nalongo contributes some pillows, and Moshe brings a dish of roasted groundnuts. The whole village works together to assist in repairing Daudi’s and Rebecca’s sukkah. Daudi distributes his tasty samosas for a snack, and a chorus of “Henei ma tov” fills the air. This part of the story was the second most enjoyable for me. Success is achieved when everyone succeeds. This Jewish hymn, “Henei ma tov umah na’im shevet achim gam yachad,” is widely recognized by Jews worldwide. This passage conveys the idea of the positive experience of brothers and sisters living together harmoniously. Representing the unity of love among the Jewish community worldwide. The Rabbi imparts a crucial moral in the Jewish story. The significance of various individuals, each bringing their own distinctiveness, uniting to create an ideal community. It’s impossible to accomplish everything on our own. This message about the lulav, with its three different types of branches intertwined, symbolizing unity in a community, is truly inspiring for our world. His teachings are inspired by the natural world and have strong connections to both traditional African and Israeli art. This passage beautifully illustrates a scene of unity and teamwork, where individuals come together to mend what’s broken, offering support, sustenance, and harmony, with a focus on cooperation rather than competition. Both words and images convey the message that Jews worldwide should unite like the various branches of the lulav. In ancient times, King David was defeated in more battles than King Ahab. David was considered righteous, and during his era, the children of Israel worshipped God but were never united. In the era of King Ahab, the Israelites practiced idol worship but remained united. Coming together in unity, they achieved victory in multiple wars with a few casualties.

The Rabbi concurs. Daudi and Rebecca’s sukkah won! Displaying the lulav and etrog, the Rabbi showcases the significant symbols of the sukkot holiday. The process of making the lulav is demonstrated by combining three distinct branches and binding them together. Our community is a diverse group of individuals who are connected in a unique way. The Rabbi’s message emphasizes the power of unity, drawing a parallel to the interconnected branches of the lulav. We can accomplish amazing feats and conquer any challenges that we face when we work together.

I really enjoyed the part in the book where Jajja asked Shoshi if she was sad for not winning the contest, and her response was, “But I did win.” We all won. Everyone helped rebuild Daudi and Rebecca’s sukkah, so everyone won the contest.” She fell asleep with a smile on her face as her grandmother gently squeezed her hand. It was a fitting conclusion that brought a smile to my face.

I give the book a 5-star rating.  The Very Best Sukkah tells a unique, insightful story.  This text delves into the origin and distinctive culture of the Abayudaya, a Jewish community in Uganda. The cover art by Yogev is attention-grabbing with its vibrant colors, bold lines, and charming details. The captivating visuals persist as readers are introduced to a fun-loving girl determined to win a community contest. She exemplifies strength of character and compassion, guiding her brothers to school, synagogue, empathy, and kindness. She also has the most adorable pet goat!

Standing out in a crowded market, The Very Best Sukkah offers a compelling narrative with beautiful artwork and the added bonus of expanding perspectives. This book’s universal themes of perseverance and love will surely captivate readers from all backgrounds, making it a must-read for anyone, especially children seeking a heartwarming and motivational story. This timeless tale, The Very Best Sukkah, beautifully celebrates the power of family, faith, and community, making it a wonderful addition to any library or bookshelf.

Shoshana Nambi, aged 34, was raised in the Abayudaya community in eastern Uganda. Being a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College, she serves as a student rabbi at Rodeph Sholom, a Reform congregation on the Upper West Side, where Shoshi and her teenage daughter reside. The picture book, “The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda,” delves into the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the vibrant celebrations within her community, making it a captivating read. This children’s book was honored with a 2023 National Jewish Book Award and recognized as a Sydney Taylor Honor Book. Furthermore, Nambi was part of the  Ugandan delegation at the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance conference held in Cote “lviore, where she met with other African Jews from nine other African countries . According to her, one of her greatest achievements has been transitioning from a small rural community in Uganda to the bustling city of New York with her daughter, describing it as an exciting adventure.

Nambi’s journey has been marked by lots of exciting opportunities and well-deserved recognition for her work. Her story of overcoming challenges and achieving success is truly inspiring. Nambi’s dedication to her work and commitment to creating an impact are truly inspiring. She excels at adjusting to and flourishing in unfamiliar surroundings, showcasing her resilience and perseverance. Nambi’s experience in New York has been truly rewarding, as it has enabled her to strengthen her bond with her daughter and discover new interests together. She clearly prioritizes making lasting memories and treasuring special moments with loved ones.   

THE VERY BEST SUKKAH. A STORY FROM UGANDA

By: Shoshana Nambi and Illustrated By Moran Yogev

16 Pages. Year of Publication: 2021

Publisher: Kalaniot Books. Moosic Pennsylvania.

About The Author