Home     Articles   Rabbis  Academy   Synagogues   Video / Music

Community Events

Israelite Unity Week June 22-26th

 

Rosh Kodesh
"Sivan"
June 3rd

 

 

Shavuot
June 8th

 

Father's Day
June 19th

 

Reflections on Rabbi Matthew
by
Rabbi Sholomo Ben  Levy

   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)


23 June 1892 - 3 Dec 1973

"Blessed be he who giveth
the Torah
 to his people Israel"

Highlights

Thursday June 23
Day of Prayer and Fasting

Friday June 24
Erev Shabbat Service
Mt. Horeb Cong., Bronx, NY
 

Shabbat June 26
Beth Shalom  9 am
Brooklyn, NY (tentative)

Saturday Night
Dance /Party 10:0 pm
Bnai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael
Brooklyn, NY

Sunday June 27
Family Picnic /Award Ceremony/
Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY

 

Details / Directions

Last  Year's Winners

 

Celeste Jackson
Brains, Heart, Faith

celeste jacksonCeleste 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.(read her bio)
  

 

Y'hoshua Murray
Scholar, Athlete, Israelite

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. (read his bio)

 

Nominate Someone For 2011
(Categories)

College Graduates

K-12 Graduate

Academic Awards

Athletic Achievement

Artists, Poets, Musicians, Etc.

 

Make Nomination Here

 

Great Teacher of Israel

The Israelite Board of Rabbis salutes Moreh Meshael for decades of outstanding leadership.  This great teacher has been a tower of strength, knowledge, and wisdom to three generations of Israelites. As a scholar, Moreh Meshael is highly respected as a Master of Torah, as a Hebraists of both Biblical and Modern Hebrew, and as a dedicated leader who has a reputation for building bridges between various Israelite communities and with people all over the world.

A banquet is being given to honor Moreh Meshael on Sunday May 15th at the beautiful Crystal Manor located at 1460 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210.  Festivities begin at noon.

 

 

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)

 

 

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.

 

Please Join Our Mailing List
Email:
For Email Newsletters you can trust

Israelite Board of Rabbis, Inc.
189-31 Linden Blvd.
Saint Albans, New York 11412
(718) 712-4646
Email: rabbilevy@blackjews.org