Shoshana McKinney of Tikvah Uganda: Scholar in Residence at Tifereth Israel

Shoshana McKinney is the executive director of Tikvah Chadasha Uganda, a community-based non-profit organization she founded with her Ugandan Jewish husband. Like many of you, Shoshana was born and raised in Southern California. She is a religious Jewish mom and stepmom living in Uganda full-time since 2021.

The mission of Tikvah Chadasha Uganda is to permanently eliminate grinding poverty through providing opportunities to earn a livelihood. The organization creates, equips and stocks sustainable chicken farms for poor Jewish women who are trained with the knowledge to leave day labor in the vegetable fields behind. Tikvah Chadasha Uganda also breaks down barriers to education for disabled children in Uganda in many ways; these include providing crutches, wheelchairs and sign language training to hearing parents and teachers of deaf children.

Watch this powerful video to learn more about the Women’s Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDncGM70SfE

Shoshana is excited to share aspects of the beautiful culture of this community called Abayudaya translated as the People of Juda. She will be speaking about the history of Judaism in Uganda, her experiences with the community, and how you can get involved. Shoshana will be teaching Ugandan melodies and drumming and answering your questions. She’s looking forward to getting to know you all and to see you there!

Friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shoshana.mckinney?mibextid=ZbWKwL