Announcing the 2009 Kulanu-Abayudaya Speaking Tour!

Kulanu is delighted to host JJ Keki, of the inspiring Jewish community of Uganda, who will be sharing the latest news of the joint Abayudaya-Kulanu education and sustainable development projects.

A very experienced speaker and musical performer, Joab Jonadab Keki, or "JJ," is an outstanding leader of the Abayudaya and the neighboring community. His music was honored by a 2005 Grammy nomination in Traditional World Music -- you may be familiar with his singing and songwriting on his new CD Lecha Dodi. JJ is currently a member of the Abayudaya Congregation's Board of Directors and its Elders Committee. He was a leader of the Abayudaya youth movement in the '80s (after Idi Amin's 1979 overthrow), the first chairperson of the Abayudaya community from 1986-1999, elected chairperson of the subcounty council for several years starting in 2002 (population 30,000), and now is founder and director of the "Delicious Peace" interfaith coffee coop. JJ was honored, along with Kulanu, with an award from Tufts University's Global Leadership Institute for his work on the coffee coop. His coop's success was featured in the Oprah Magazine, "Not Just A Cup but a Just Cup" (August 2008).

We are requesting your help in identifying possible venues for this year’s Kulanu-Abayudaya speaking tour which will run October 23 through November 22, 2009 and is already filling up fast!

Mr. Keki will present a dynamic multi-media program updating audiences on the Kulanu-supported Abayudaya primary and high schools, which educate and feed 700 Jewish, Muslim and Christian children studying together in peace. He will also report on the child nutrition project; public health education and women’s empowerment programs; on-going classroom, dorm and school kitchen construction; as well as the village micro-finance, crafts, music CD, coffee, vanilla and eco-tourism self-help projects.

The educational program will be age-appropriate for all and can include a slideshow presentation and African Jewish music. When appropriate, CD's of Abayudaya music, hand-crafted kippot and Delicious Peace coffee will be sold in conjunction with the presentation.

Speaking tour audiences will learn how the Abayudaya and Kulanu are taking a leadership role in bringing diverse religious communities together through the schools. As director and founder of the "Delicious Peace" coffee coop, JJ can also provide insight into the progress of this fair trade coffee project, which unites nearly 1,000 Jewish, Christian and Muslim farmers in the production of organic kosher coffee.

What is required of host locations?

An honorarium of $1,000 plus a travel expense contribution of $250, for a total of $1,250 per event. You are welcome to seek co-sponsors to share your event. Tour proceeds support the two Abayudaya schools and their nutrition programs.
A primary contact to be responsible for the event and for JJ while he is in your city.
A contact to manage the product sales (when applicable).
Accommodations and meals for the speaker (home hospitality is great!). JJ keeps kosher and is shomer Shabbat.

If you would like to host the speaker, what should you do next?

Identify three (3) possible dates between October 23 and November 22, 2009. (To see what dates are available and when he will be in your area, view the speaking tour work-in-progress calendar.)
Contact Katie Rosenthal, Kulanu’s speaking tour coordinator, at speakers[@]kulanu[.]org to inform her of your interest and your preferred dates.
Check out our online Speaking Tour Event Planning Kit so you know how to be prepared to host a successful event!

This is an opportunity to perform a very special multilayered mitzvah — educating your community about the Abayudaya, helping the Abayudaya extend their relationships with the wider Jewish community and providing support for the educational, economic and spiritual growth of the Abayudaya.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to notify other groups that might be interested in hosting JJ Keki this fall. Thank you!