Israelite Unity Week
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Israelite Unity Week |
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Rosh Kodesh
Father's Day
Fast of
Rosh Kodesh
Tisha B'Av
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Reflections on Rabbi Matthew Chief Rabbi W.A. Matthew was the person most responsible for us knowing our G-d and ourselves. Therefore it is fitting that we celebrate the 118th anniversary of his birth as an expression of love and gratitude. The Torah commands us to “honor our fathers and our mothers.” (Ex 20:12 ) One section of the Talmud that is dedicated to preserving the words and legacy of the ancient sages of Israel is called the “Ethics of the Fathers.” (אבות) Therefore, great teachers are our fathers and Torah requires that we honor them. The program this year inaugurates what will be an annual celebration. Our current commemoration seeks to emphasize the fact that when Rabbi Matthew opened that first place of worship in 1919, it was not only the start of a single congregation, it was the birth of an entire community that now has roots all over the world. Moreover, when he established what would eventually become the Israelite Academy of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis, he was establishing a spiritual and intellectual tradition as the beating heart of this community. (read article) |
"Blessed be he who giveth
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Highlights Wednesday June 23 Friday June 25 Shabbat June 26 Dance /Party 10:30 pm Sunday June 27 Outdoor Festival |
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Rabbi W.A. Matthew Award Nominees On Sunday we will present awards to distinguished members of our community. As I looked at the list of nominees in the youth categories, I was struck by how many of these bright, beautiful, and intelligent young people come from black families who have been practicing Judaism for generations. When they are asked, “Are you Jewish? Did you convert? Is your mother Jewish?” they can respond patiently “ I was born Jewish and Judaism has deep roots in my family.” Celeste Jackson and Y’hoshua Murray, described below, are two of our stars this year (nomination form). |
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Celeste Jackson
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Y'hoshua
Murray
Yhoshua’s academic accomplishments at Edinboro include being named to the Dean’s List every semester. He is the recipient of the Marjorie F. Hummell Scholarship and the Edinboro Student Government Student Association Scholarship. His athletic achievements include Edinboro University Scholar Athlete for the spring semesters of 2007, 2008, and 2009, ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American Fall 2008 and Edinboro University Offensive player of the year for 2009. (read his bio)
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Summer Tutoring Registration
"EDUCATE THE GENERATION TO ELEVATE THE NATION" Prof. Y'sudah Yehudah and the excellent teaching staff of the LAMAD Task Force encourage you to enroll your children for free summer tutoring. They provide basic skills training and college preparation programs. Additional qualified teachers are welcome. (Register Now) |
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Black Jews at the White House
“The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23 There was a time when Black Jews were not welcomed in the halls of power. Those days are gone forever! Today, Rabbi Shmuel Funnye travels the world meeting heads of state in Israel, Africa, and America. Most recently he and Miriam went to the Whitehouse to visit his cousin, Michelle, and her husband, Barack, for their Hanukkah Party. President Obama told the story of Hanukkah himself and explained to the assembled guests how much this celebration of freedom means to him. Rabbi Funnye, who attended a similar ceremony at the Whitehouse with President George W. Bush said the difference was “President Obama understands the Israelite Community because he has family members who are Black and Jewish. President Obama understands us because he understands the struggles of people who are marginalized because of their identity.” (Read full article)
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Celeste
Jackson is the daughter of the late Dr. William and Gladys Jackson and
the granddaughter of Mother Anna Levy. Her family has been an important
part of the Israelite community since their days with Chief Rabbi W.A.
Matthew. In May of 2010, Celeste graduated with honors from Duke
University with a B.A. in Political Science. She received the
prestigious Duke University Mary McLeod Bethune Award for Writing. She
currently works for a law firm in New York City called Cravath Swaine &
Moore LLP. And, if Celeste hasn’t soared high enough yet, she is
studying to get a private pilot’s license.
Y’hoshua
R. Murray: Scholar, Gentlemen, Great Athlete…and an Israelite, too!
Well, of course, he is the son of Rabbi Y’hoshua Melchizedek Lewi. When
I asked the rabbi “does your son use his Hebraic name Y’hoshua or the
anglicized Joshua?” he said, “its Y’hoshua, just like me.” Although he
was raised in Pennsylvania with his mother, Y’hoshua was ceremonially
initiated into this community (and into Bnai Yisrael) on the eighth day
of his birth and has proudly lived with the responsibility that comes
with his name. Y’hoshua amassed a stellar record of accomplishment
during his four years at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In the
classroom, on the football field, and through his civic associations,
Y’hoshua exhibits the best of what it means to be an Israelite.
