Today Pegman ventures to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Feel free to stroll around using the Street View or Photo Spheres until you find something that inspires you to write 150 words, then click the frog below and share your work with fellow contributors. Remember that reading and commenting on others’ work is part of the fun.
Thanks to Josh and Karen for hosting the challenge.
Genre: Factual Fiction
Word Count: 150
Yep. If they’re there I’ll find them. 😉
MOUNT SINAI
I’ve come to Tanzania from Canada to deliver a Torah scroll to a remote congregation. “Why not?” I said when asked if I’d like to go. “I’ve never been to Africa.”
Jelani’s dark cheeks glisten, “I was a child when Idi Amin’s henchmen destroyed our synagogue. My father wept. On his deathbed he grasped my hand and said, ‘Son promise me you will never forget who you are.” The sunlight outlines the golden star of David he wears around his neck.
The Torah is processed around the small synagogue. As it passes by, Jelani touches the scroll with the fringes hanging from his belt, then brings them to his lips with such reverence I weep.
Shivers surge through me as Yehuda Kahalani leads the kabballat Shabbat in an African chant. My pulse races. I add my voice to familiar prayers and songs. We are different. The words are the same.
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Click here to learn more of the actual story that fueled my fiction.
Idiot Ameanie (Idi Amin) was an animal. A touching story. There are many stories of his atrocities and destruction. I am glad Jelani was able to reconnect with his roots.
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Dear Jan,
He was a beast. Thank you, m’luv.
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Dear Rochelle,
And so it goes, from one country to the next – evil for the sake of evil. Of course you found a connection! I would be dismayed if you did not 😉
What a touching story.
Shalom and lotsa free-to-be love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging comment. As you know I’ve been accused of doing this sort of thing too often. 😉 (what do they know, right?)
Shalom and lotsa hugs by the scroll,
Rochelle
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To those I say: Pfffft!
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I will never grow tired of the history you bring to us through Pegman and FF. I agree with Dale Pfffft!
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🙂
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Thanks you two. You just made me smile. 😀
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This moving story of yours convinced me to click the link and read the real-life story that inspired it and wow, what an amazing experience for everyone involved! I love to be reminded of how no matter how awful the worst of the world seems, individual people are still caring and generous and willing to reach out and be gracious to each other.
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Dear Joy,
My point exactly…or at least one of the points of the story. We might be different but, inside, the dreams are the same. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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For some reason my first comment never posted. It’s so great to see you! What I love about this story especially is the powerful way you meld emotion and action in every line. The opening preamble made me laugh out loud 🙂
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Dear Karen,
Thanks to your husband, the problem is solved. I’m glad I said something or I’d never have figured it out on my own. SMH.
I’m glad you enjoyed my story and my preamble. 😉 A few years back a couple of former FF’rs criticized my leaning toward Jewish and Historical fictions. I do try to change it up to show I’m not a one-trick pony. However, those themes are my passion(s). Thank you for your gracious understanding and your affirming comment(s). 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a brilliant story. I had no idea there were Jewish congregations in Tanzania – fantastic. And that theme of comon ground from thousands of miles away is just marvellous. Well done, Rochelle
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Dear Lynn,
If the Jews are there, I’ll find them. 😉 Actually there are Jews all through Africa. Thank you for your comments & compliments. So appreciated. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful to have so many vibrant communities. Always my pleasure
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A very moving story, Rochelle. How precious the scroll was for the Tanzanian congregation. And what a wonderful symbol of the love and kinship of all mankind on whichever continent.
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Dear Penny,
The Torah is what unites Jews worldwide from all walks of life (even though we don’t always remember that). For myself, a late bloomer where learning Hebrew was concerned, to be able to read directly from our scrolls gives me an indescribable joy. The true story I based my fiction on thrilled me to no end. I’m happy it spoke to you as well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful and touching piece. I used to work with a fellow from Uganda. He told me that he knew people who had disappeared in the night and he suspected that Idi Amin had fed them to the crocodiles. Good riddance to bad rubbish when he departed this world.
~Cie from Naughty Netherworld Press~
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