In Memory of Rabbinit Sarah G. White
August 15, 1926 to October 9, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the transition of Rabbinit White, a pillar of our community for over fifty years. She was the wife of Rabbi Chaim White, a member of Commandment Keepers Congregation, and she worked with our founder, Chief Rabbi W. A. Matthew. Rabbi Baruch Yehudah officiated her funeral. The eulogy was delivered by Elder Curtis R. Addair, and she was laid to rest at Beth Israel Cemetery.
According to the obituary, “Rabbi Sarah Georgie White was born on August 15, 1929, to the late Roosevelt McClain and Lucille Samuels in Richmond, Virginia. At the age of five, Rabbinit and her family relocated to Newark, New Jersey.
Rabbinit attended the Morgan Street Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey, where she met the man who would later become her husband, Rabbi Chaim White zt’l. Rabbinit attended Arts High School in the Newark school system and furthered her education at the Poro Beauty Culture School where she earned her certificate and was licensed as a hair and beauty consultant.
In 1943, Rabbinit married the love of her life, her childhood sweetheart Rabbi Chaim White zt’l. From this love, three children were born, Bill zt’l, Jean and Nathan zt’l.
In 1952, Rabbinit, along with Rabbi, joined the Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation under the leadership of our beloved Chief Rabbi Wentworth A. Matthew zt’l. She was a member of the Royal Order of Ethiopian Hebrews, Sons and Daughters of Culture as well as a member and officer of the Hebrew Israelite Women’s Council. In 1973, after the passing of Rabbi W.A. Matthew zt’l, Rabbi and Rabbinit White became the leaders of Commandment Keepers E.H. Congregation where she served faithfully as leader and secretary by her husband’s side until his death. Rabbinit remained a dedicated and devoted leader, secretary and member until her transition.
In their secular life, Rabbinit and Rabbi White owned and operated two successful businesses in Newark, New Jersey, Wm. White and Sons Fuel Oil Co. and a gas station. For 17 years, Rabbinit held a position for the city of Newark as secretary for Rent Control under the leadership of the Honorable Mayor Sharp James. Rabbinit’s modeling career, in her earlier years, was evident in her love for fashion and grooming.
While the relocation of Commandment Keepers E.H. Congregation Synagogue was taking place from Harlem New York to Newark, N.J., Rabbinit visited and enjoyed the community and worship of First Tabernacle of Newark.
Rabbinit was truly blessed and loved. Her love for us has left a lasting impact in our hearts forever. She will be greatly missed, but her generous spirit will live on and continue to inspire us.
Rabbinit leaves to cherish her memory, teachings, leadership and love, two sons Bill and Nathan (both who preceded her in death) a son-in-law Julian Wormley (who Sister Shirley Lucy preceded her in death) her beloved daughter Betty Jean Wormley, grandchildren, Eleazar, Dewayne, LaMar, Nathan, Wylleshia and Atarah, Her daughter-in-law Jeanette (Nathan zt’l), many great-grandchildren, her sister Dorothy Green, two sisters-in-law Ida White and Elizabeth White and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and innumerable members of the Ethiopian Hebrew Israelite community.”
