The Ol Kalou-Kasuku Jewish community, Kenya.

I am helping the Ol Kalou-Kasuku Jewish community to raise extra funds to complete the construction work of a Social Hall and Kosher Kitchen in Kenya. The construction is still ongoing but cannot continue due to lack of funds. The building is designed by the community.

I am working with Yehudah Kimani who is a community leader and a tour guide working for both domestic and international jobs. Born, raised, and living in Kenya. Studied at Utalii College in Nairobi, Kenya. He has been working on establishing and raising Jewish awareness for his community in Kenya.

The purpose of the fundraising page is to provide a range of innovative and educational awareness that reflect on Jewish communities around the world in continents such as Africa, Asia and South America, as well as the Caribbean. This is a great opportunity for Jewish communities to support an effort focused on building a communal identity for not only British Jews of all colours, where inclusion, diversity and dignity are normative but for Jews who need an international identity to be recognised.

The Community Story

The hills around the majestic Mt. Kenya are home to the Ol Kalou-Kasuku Jewish community, also known as Kehillat Israel Kenya. For over 20- years, this community has been observing mitzvot, keeping the Shabbat, maintaining kashrut, celebrating different Jewish holidays/festivals, and following Jewish traditions. The community consists of 250- members, many of whom are young children, the next generation of Kenyan Jews. The community is located at (180 km), away from the Nairobi city Capital of Kenya. They plan to continue their Jewish learning programs for youth and adults within the community centre; with internet access for researching online Jewish education resources and participating in the online lessons that are taught by volunteers.

There are several major reasons why the community needs a social and kosher kitchen hall.

1. Health concerns

It is still a challenge that the community does not have a safe place for cooking or a kitchen to keep their food clean, where food can come directly from the kitchen to the tables within the synagogue. Sometimes, the community holds many guests, more than 20 people at once, and it always finds it difficult on how to maintain proper hygiene during meal- times. Food has been cooked outside in a very polluted environment, which is not good and healthy. So, having this project completed will be of great importance for all the community.

2. Building a sense of community

This project, on the other hand, will be of much impact to the community, guests, and all the events that will be associated with the community, Jews, and non-Jews respectively. The use of it is to have a place where the whole community can celebrate holidays like Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties and Jewish holidays like Pesach Seder. Right now, they don't have a place to do it and will not meet every year due to the expenses of hiring tents and seats. In the future, this will help them to have all the people together.

In addition, it will help attract more guests, because holding the events will be of great benefit to the community, when people pay for either parties or far abroad communities that want to bring their ceremonies. This will earn the community a great profit.

The amount stated is to help finish the project, which will be directly sent to the community. To put windows, doors, outside finishing, main entrance from door shade as illustrated above. For furnishing - chairs, tables, cooking stoves, cooking pots, fire extinguisher, and all other kitchen items.

3. Safety

During all Shabbat Kiddush service, Shabbat communal meal (Havdalah), and all other holidays, the community and their guests will have a safe place to share their meals. For example, very many people would wish to come if they had such a place like a dining/social hall and kitchen, since they feel secure. Many times, cooking has been interrupted by harsh weather conditions e.g. rain, strong winds, etc. If this project stands, they will not have any more of this suffering. In addition to that, it can be a very safe place to hold meetings. Having a kitchen and a dining/meeting space with a social hall that will serve all community members is one of the most important and community giving projects.

Thank you for your donation and help.

Social hall drawings below:

Ongoing Construction works