Commandment_Keepers Black_Hebrew_Israelites

the founder of commandment keepers, wentworth arthur matthew holding sefer torah.

wentworth arthur matthew founded commandment keepers congregation in harlem in 1919. matthew influenced non-black jews met marcus garvey , universal negro improvement association , african communities league. garvey used biblical jews in exile metaphor black people in north america. 1 of accomplishments of garvey s movement strengthen connection between black americans , africa, ethiopia in particular. when matthew later learned beta israel—ethiopian jews—he identified them.

today commandment keepers follow traditional jewish practices , observe jewish holidays. members observe kashrut, circumcise newborn boys , celebrate bar , bat mitzvahs, , synagogue has mechitza separate men , women during worship.

the commandment keepers believe descendants of solomon , queen of sheba. matthew taught black man jew , genuine jews black men , valued non-black jews had preserved judaism on centuries. matthew maintained cordial ties non-black jewish leaders in new york , invited them worship @ synagogue.

matthew established ethiopian hebrew rabbinical college (later renamed israelite rabbinical academy) in brooklyn. ordained more 20 rabbis, went on lead congregations throughout united states , caribbean. remained leader of commandment keepers in harlem, , in 1962 congregation moved landmark building on 123rd street.

matthew died in 1973, sparking internal conflict on succeed him head of harlem congregation. shortly before death, matthew named grandson, david matthew doré, new spiritual leader. doré 16 years old @ time. in 1975, synagogue s board elected rabbi willie white leader. rabbi doré conducted services @ synagogue until 1980s, when white had doré , other members locked out of building. membership declined throughout 1990s , 2004, few dozen people belonged synagogue. in 2007 commandment keepers sold building, while various factions among former members sued 1 another.

besides harlem group, there 8 or ten commandment keeper congregations in new york area, , others exist throughout north america in israel. since 2000, 7 rabbis have graduated israelite rabbinical academy founded matthew.