In Memory of Emo Ayalut Yehudah

The Life of “Emo” Ayalut Yehudah

November 21, 1930 – February 3, 2021

Ayalut Ahyelah Koach Levi, known affectionately by most as Emo (“Mother” in Hebrew), was born on November 21, 1930, in Cook County, Illinois to James and Mae Jane Moore. She was the seventh of 14 children (seven boys and seven girls), marked for the Most High from birth.

Soon after her tenth birthday, Emo’s mother passed away, and she became her younger siblings’ principal caretaker. Her father, a veteran of World War II, was diagnosed with Shell Shock (now known as Post-traumatic-stress disorder or combat fatigue) and could not care for the family.  As a result, the younger children were sent to various foster homes with little-to-no care as to how they would remain in touch. As Emo was one of the older children of the family, she was placed in a group home for girls in Riverdale, New York. Alone, and understandably traumatized by the loss of her family unit, the Eternal provided her with an enormous blessing in the form of a dear, and ultimately life-long friend and soul sister, T’kifah. In fact, when the siblings reunited as adults, T’kifah married Emo’s brother, the late Rabbi K.Z. L. Yeshurun.

Emo was educated in New York City public school system. She was a homemaker, and worked as a substitute teacher, most recently at The Christopher Robin’s Academy in Laurelton, Queens.

Prior to the dismantling of her family, Emo’s father told them that they were Hebrews. Unfortunately, in his condition, there was never an opportunity for him shed further light on this revelation; but some of the children never forgot. As a child, it is no surprise that Emo sought G-D, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that her prayer would be fully realized. Her brother, James a postal worker, befriended a coworker, Cohen Levi Ben Yisrael. James was insistent that his siblings meet him, as he would bring clarity to their heritage as Hebrews. When they finally all met, they all realized that they’d known each other. Cohen Levi was a singer in their brother’s foster father’s band. Now it was old friends talking about HaShem, Torah, and heritage; they had found home. The three siblings, Emo, her sister Savlanut (Yarevah), and their brother K’naizadek walked this way for the rest of their lives.

Emo and her sister Savlanut were known to some as “the queens” due to their regal demeanor and the manner in which that they dressed: handmade, exquisite gowns with turbans two-feet high, adorned with jewels and complemented by waist-long veils (during worship services you never saw their faces). Others knew them as the “Baruch HaShem/Halleluyah sisters,” because that was their answer to almost every question. They were more than biological sisters, they were soul mates, spiritually in sync, united by their love of HaShem and ministering to His people. They sang together in perfect harmony; two beautiful, angelic and haunting voices, worshipping in tandem, forever grateful to have reunited with each other and with The Most High G-D.

Cohen Levi had taken his new/old friends to his teacher, the late Rabbi Yirmeyahu Yisrael, founder and spiritual leader of B’nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael. They became voracious students of the Torah, and Israelite heritage and culture. In 1968 Amasiah Yehudah also found his way to B’nai Adath. Upon arriving with his host, he saw Savlanute, a former coworker; they were very surprised to have met a former Co-worker there. As they discussed this auspicious reunion, he noticed her sister, Ayalut, and in his words, he “had to have her.” A year later, she became his wife. They were key members, and eventually pillars of the congregation. In fact, Emo’s brother, the late Rabbi K.Z. Yeshurun would eventually succeed Rabbi Yisrael as the spiritual leader of the congregation. Emo was a leader in the congregation in her own right. She was known for her spiritual and insightful understanding of Torah and our relationship with the Holy One. She served on the board of trustees and other committees. By far, her favorite post was chair of the building fund. During her tenure she encouraged the youth of the congregation to find projects and works of charity to do in the name of the KING. Eventually, that group of youth, became Dor Hachadash, founders, in 1988, of what our community now refers to as the Unity Shabbtote. Emo was an active member of B’nai Adath until her early eighties; she served honorably, proudly and unselfishly.

With all that Emo accomplished in her life, she was most delighted by her role as a mother. It was a role thrust upon her before she had given birth to her own children. She considered it a privilege and the highest honor bestowed by HaShem: to allow her to nurture His servants. Emo raised her younger siblings, some of their children, her children, and all those whom HaShem sent to her. Emo opened her home to so many, it’s almost harder to remember who didn’t live at the family home than who did!

Emo enjoyed music and dancing immensely. She would play music for and dance with her children before they went to school each morning. According to her, this fostered happy thoughts and made the idea of going to school pleasant. She was always concerned with providing a positive environment for children, and she considered every situation, good and bad, a teachable moment. Anyone who has known Emo can tell you about her intense love, care and generosity. She shared love liberally and unselfishly. Her spiritual guidance and solid wisdom became her hallmark. If you had a problem, a weighty thought, or if your confidence was shaken, Emo had a way of taking you right to the throne of the KING, and there she would teach you to be humble and grateful for all that HE had done. She reminded us always: “THANK G-D FOR G-D” and never forget to say,”Todah YAH” (thank you, Lord). She would encourage you to get silent before HIM and see where He would lead you. She would admonish us that “G-D hasn’t stopped talking, we just stopped listening.”

In her early eighties, Emo suffered a stroke, which started her spiral of health challenges. She met them head on, never giving in. Over the next ten years Emo would have setbacks and recoveries; but she never once allowed despair to grip her, because her total faith was in her KING. She continued to offer her warm embrace and quiet wisdom to those who would seek it.

On February 3, 2021, the Creator called his servant Ayalut home at the age of 90. She was preceded in death by her parents: James and Mae Jane Moore; husband: Amasiah Yehudah, and siblings: James, Joseph, Leonard, Ruth, John, Edward, Agnes, Gwendolyn, Savlanute, K’naizadek, Robert, Rosemary, and her “soul sister,” T’kifah.

Emo is survived by her sister: Rebecca Johnson; sons: John DeSane, Shaka Eaddy (Doreen), Kwame Eaddy, and Baruch Yehudah; daughter: Yvette Paige; 15 grandchildren: Jakim, Yonah, Shirah, Hashem, Natane, Kwame Jr.., Tamiyah, Jakim-Amasiah, Chanti, Shakur, M’heyman, B’chiriyah, Achil, Naquiel, and Zililiyah; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Emo’s legacy is one of love, loss, reunions, revelations, triumph and the grace of   G-D. We pray pray for her peaceful rest.