Thirty-one years ago Chief Rabbi Levi Ben Levy left Beth Shalom Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Brooklyn to start Beth Elohim Hebrew Congregation in Saint Albans, New York. It was a difficult separation for many, but the congregations remained close and have worked together on community projects for years.
In August of 2014 the congregations took the momentous step of celebrating their anniversaries together. By all accounts this was the sweetest of all past celebrations because this one was commemorated together. The weekend began with a Kabbalat Shabbat service at Beth Elohim on Friday evening. Rabbi Debra Bowen, spiritual leader of Congregation Temple Beth-El in Philadelphia, was a “surprise guest” who delighted everyone by her presence. She explained that while she and her husband, Dr. Earl Bowen, had a previous commitment, they deemed the historic nature of this anniversary to be a special mitzvah. Representatives of the New York City Council presented a proclamation to Beth Elohim. (see article)
The Shabbat morning service took place at Beth Shalom. Chazzan Odeya Israel led the prayers. The beauty and solemnity of the prayers is almost impossible to describe with words. Some cantors have such melodious voices that listeners unintentionally focus on the song or the performance rather than on the substance of what is being said. With Chazzan Israel the sincerity and power of his רוח (spirit) transforms the congregation from mere awe-struck spectators into true worshippers who feel compelled to join their off-key utterances with his perfect pitch to the eternal praise of the Most High. Rabbi Yisrael Yesurun managed to integrate all the rabbis and leaders present into the service. Almost every Black synagogue in the city was represented. Gabbi Azriel Ben Dan was one of the Baal Korehs who read the Torah. His wife, Morah Tamar Bat Dan, read the Haftorah. A representative of the Abayudaya community in Uganda was given an alliyah at the Torah and delivered a congratulatory message from his leader Rabbi Gershom Sizomu. Rabbi Zidkiyahu Levy gave the oral prayer following the procession with the Torah. On the words of his prayer our thoughts were carried to heaven. Rabbinet Leah Yahonaton spoke with wisdom like the sage she has become. Cohen Shetmeyah, son of the late Cohen Levi Israel, graced us with his presence and gave us his blessing. Rabbi Sholomo Levy’s sermon attempted to bring new life into the story of Jonah. He taught that this book is not a tale about a big fish, nor it is really about a man who died long ago, but it is very much about our daily struggles to extricate ourselves from the things that hold us back, keep us down, and keep us divided. It was a very timely and well received message.
The festivities concluded on Sunday afternoon with a delicious banquet at Beth Shalom. Rabbi Capers Funnye flew in from Chicago. He spoke of his long history with both of the congregations and then he articulated what we all felt: something is changing in our community; something wonderful is happening. Beth Elohim honored its members for their diligent service with a variety of appreciation awards. Beth Shalom celebrated with an African dance troop led by Rabbi Yeshurun’s daughter. Our great teacher Rabbi Hailu Paris was in good health and spoke briefly about new developments in the world of Jewish scholarship. The dry bones are coming together all over the world in way that we have never seen before. Everyone is filled with optimism. Dissent and controversy can hardly be found. All this causes one to think of the words of the prophet who said, “The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:5).