A place for Black Jews...and their friends.

Community Events

Synagogue Management Seminar
Temple University
Oct 28

Election Day
Vote
Nov 2

IBR Board Meetings
Nov 7

Israelite Academy
Classes Begin!
Nov 8

Rosh Kodesh
Nov 14


Black Rabbis, Harlem, New York c. 1967

Welcome to this meeting place for Black Jews, Hebrews, Israelites, and interested friends. Here you can learn a lot about our history, meet many of our rabbis, visit a few of our synagogues, study Torah, and interact with us and each other in a variety of ways.  Shalom!

 

 

Our Torah Insights

Every year as we begin our annual cycle of Torah study with Gensis 1:1, "In the begining," I, like Adam, am filled with a new breath of life. Then by the second week dealing with Noah and the third week introducing Abraham, I have my breath taken away by some of the rabbinic commentaries that introduce race into our discourse.

 

In The Spot Light

Rabbi Capers Funnye leads Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago  to new home in a beautiful synagogue.  Having recently celebrated his 18th year as rabbi, and his 10th year as the spiritual leader of the congregation, he keeps reaching new heights.  For more about his achievements and photos of his new synagogue, Read more...

Message From The Editor

Ten years ago when we created our first web site; it was little more than a simple beacon on the internet signaling that we are here and we are not alone. Since that time we have striven to make the quality of our interaction more meaningful on every level.  It is our goal to be a bridge and a network--particularly to those who are searching for a supportive environment  that affirms rather than challenges our identity.

We hope that this site will foster a sense of belonging and eventually feel like a community to those who visit it frequently and contribute to it richness and diversity. Rather than hiding behind the anonymity of the internet, we promote familiarity. You will come to know us through our names, pictures, places of worship, ideas, and our "kesid" loving kindness. To those who are thirty for knowledge, we will provide a steady stream of information on a variety of subjects as well as access to teachers and scholars.

The various chat rooms and listserves attempt to cater to the specific interests of our visitors: youth can talk to each other, singles can meet, students can learn, and political issues can be respectfully debated. Each thing in its proper time and place. Private areas are available and are restricted to the members who create them such as the Israelite Board of Rabbis, the Academy, and congregations or organizations that wish to communicate privately with their members. All of them will have public links that describe if and how new people can join.

There is far more here than you can absorb in one visit; so, please add us to your favorites list and sign our guest book so that we can stay in touch.


 
 

 

 

Lady Debra Bowen This woman has taken the Israelite community by storm. 54 years ago her mother founded Temple Beth'El in Philadelphia; today it is a thriving congregation with a magnificent choir and a school that serves the local community.  In her three years as spiritual leader, she stands firm on Torah even while she shakes the male rabbinic establishment. Read more..

 

"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee, throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant"

Genesis 17:7

B'nai Adoth Kol Bet Yisrael in New York celebrated it 50th anniversary this year. Established in 1945, this congregation is one of the oldest and largest black synagogues in New York. Rabbi Baruch Yehudah reflects on the wonderful history of his synagogue and gives highlights of its week-long commemoration. Read more...

 

 
 

Rabbi Sholomo Ben Levy

      To read more about our president (and hear some of his lectures), visit him at the link that describes the International Israelite Board of Rabbis.

     
       
 
Legal Notice Use of photographs, audio, or text from this site is strictly forbidden without written permission.  No links or references may be made to this site or our organization that does not promote peace and understanding among all people.

 

Israelite Board of Rabbis, Inc.
189-31 Linden Blvd.
Saint Albans, New York 11412
(718) 712-4874
Email: rabbilevy@blackjews.org