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Shoshana Nambi is an Ugandan-born rabbi, author, and educator, recognized as the first Ugandan woman to be ordained as a rabbi and the first Ugandan ordained by the Union for Reform Judaism. She currently serves as the assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, California.
Early Life and Education
Nambi was raised in the village of Nabweya in eastern Uganda, part of the Abayudaya Jewish community. Her family has practiced Judaism for generations, tracing their roots back to the early 20th century when Semei Kakungulu founded the community. She attended Semei Kakungulu High School, the region’s only Jewish secondary school.
In 2011, Nambi graduated from Kampala International University with a degree in Business Administration. She subsequently worked as an HIV counselor and agricultural educator. Her involvement with the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Coleman in Georgia, where she served as a camp programmer and tefillah coordinator, deepened her connection to Judaism and inspired her to pursue rabbinical studies.
Rabbinical Training and Ordination
Nambi’s path to the rabbinate included a year of study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. She then enrolled at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), spending her first year at the Jerusalem campus before continuing her studies in New York City. She was ordained in 2024, becoming the first Ugandan woman to achieve this milestone.
Career
Following her ordination, Nambi joined Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, California, as an assistant rabbi. Her work emphasizes inclusivity and the integration of diverse cultural traditions within Jewish practice.
Writing and Recognition
Nambi is the author of the children’s book The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda, which portrays the celebration of Sukkot in her home community. The book received a 2023 National Jewish Book Award and was named a Sydney Taylor Honor Book.
In 2023, she was honored as one of New York Jewish Week’s “36 to Watch,” recognizing her innovative contributions to the Jewish community.
Personal Life
Nambi is a single mother to her daughter, Emunah. They relocated to the United States during Nambi’s rabbinical studies and have since embraced life in America, appreciating its conveniences and opportunities.
See Also
- Abayudaya Jewish Community
- Union for Reform Judaism
- Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
External Links
- Shoshana Nambi’s Official Website
- Shoshana Nambi on Instagram
- Shoshana Nambi’s Erev Shabbat Sermon (YouTube)