Israelite Board of Rabbis Celebrates the 110th Anniversary of the Ninth Tabernacle Beth El

On December 9, 2017, a delegation of rabbis and professors affiliated with the Israelite Board of Rabbis attended a Shabbat service that marked the 110th Anniversary of the Ninth Tabernacle Beth El, which is located at 85 Fountain Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. In contrast to the Israelite Board of Rabbis—which traces its origins back to Chief Rabbi W.A.Matthew in 1919—the Nineth Tabernacle was founded by Prophet William S. Crowdy in 1907 and is under the jurisdiction of his organization, which bears the name “Church of God and Saints of Christ” (COGASOC). Today their international headquarters is located in Suffolk, Virginia, and they have tabernacles throughout the United States, the Carribean, and South Africa.

Our respective organizations represent two of the oldest and largest branches of Judaism among African Americans. For many decades, the use of the word “Christ” in the title of their organization has been a source of confusion and contention for members of the Israelite Board of Rabbis, who disavow any Christology or messianic worship. While we have enjoyed amiable relations for several generations, this event was the first time that several of our rabbis had experienced one of their Shabbat services firsthand. It was both moving and enlightening. The official website of the COGASOC publishes a document entitled “This We Believe.” It lists 21 principals including the affirmation that there is only one God, that God is incorporeal, and “the Creator alone must be worshipped”. There is no reference at all to Jesus in their statement of beliefs. Our observation of the service at this tabernacle on this Sabbath day found nothing that was said or done to be inconsistent or outside the bounds of diversity within normative Judaism.  In fact, there was much to be admired and appreciated about their unique worship service.

Like many of our Israelite synagogues, the Ninth Tabernacle is located in a grand building that was once an Ashkenazi Orthodox synagogue. The large stain-glassed Star of David is the focal point of the sanctuary, which can easily accommodate over 500 worshipers.  On this occasion, most of the men of this order wore a distinctive brown suit with tails and bow tie that constituted a uniformed attire. Many of them wore tallitzim. The women wore matching dresses with light blue blouses. The men on the bimah read several passages of scripture, and offered salutations and prayers in English. At several points, the ark was opened to reveal a single Sefer Torah; however, it was never removed nor read. Instead of davening in Hebrew from a traditional siddur, the heart of their worship seemed to center around their magnificent choir. Under its animated director, the choir led the congregation through a musical liturgy of familiar spirituals and original compositions. During several of these carefully orchestrated performances, the choir marched in various formations around the sanctuary as the leader thrust his staff-shaped baton into the air. Even people standing in the pews began to march in place almost instinctively. And the sound of all these marching feet against the bare hardwood floors created the feeling that we were one people on the move together. Evangelist Joseph R.Turner, the current pastor of the tabernacle, explained that all these movements had powerful symbolic significance.

A fiery sermon was delivered by Elder Curtis Adair, Jr., who is the pastor of a tabernacle in Mt. Vernon, New York. He exhorted his listeners to appreciate the beauty and holiness of this Sabbath day even as the snow gently fell outside. The special guest at this anniversary was Brooklyn Borough President, the honorable Mr. Eric Adams. He congratulated the congregation for their contribution to the spiritual richness of New York City and for their service to the people of Brooklyn. Mr. Adams is a genuine friend of the Black Jewish community and spoke to us as brothers.  The high point of the day was the address given by Chief Rabbi Phillip E. McNeil, the leader of the COGASOC.  Chief Rabbi McNeil is a stately man who holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. Chief Rabbi McNeil enjoys a close friendship with our Chief Rabbi Capers Funnye, Jr., and has visited Chief Rabbi Funnye at his congregation in Chicago. Chief Rabbi McNeil graciously acknowledged our presence and expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the fire that engulfed Bnai Adath, one of our Brooklyn synagogues. Both Chief Rabbi McNeil and Evangelist Turner conveyed their hopes that our two branches of Judaism may grow closer together in the years ahead. This sentiment was reciprocated by Rabbi Sholomo Ben Levy, Rabbi Baruch A. Yehudah, Rabbi Eliyahu Yehudah, Rabbi Yeshurun Levy, and by Professor Y’sudah Yehudah. Rabbi Malcha Netanyahu is a professor at the Israelite Academy and a member of the Ninth Tabernacle; she has been one of the vital bridges working to unite our people. May the Creator soon bring back the scattered tribes of Israel from the four corners of the Earth and unite our branches into one rod that we may be one nation.