Dry Bones Coming Together:
The Success of Israelite Unity Week 2014
Ezekiel’s prophecy of the coming together of the dry and scattered bones of the House of Israel was partly realized in New York City from July 27-29, 2014. The Rabbi W.A. Matthew Commemoration Committee successfully organized a series of programs that brought hundreds of Black Jews together. Synagogues in New York were joined by delegations from Chicago, led by Rabbi Capers Funnye, from Philadelphia, led by Rabbi Debra Bowen, from Atlanta, led by Dr. Rudolph Windsor. Individuals from as far away as Africa and Israel were also represented.
While the entire week was dedicated to prayer and reflection, the formal events began with an Kabbalat Shabbat service Friday evening at Beth Elohim Hebrew Congregation in Queens. The keynote speaker was Prince Tzipor, leader of Shema Yisrael Congregation in Brooklyn. Although these congregations represent distinctly different cultural traditions within the Israelite community in terms of dress and tefillah (prayer), on this night we were one as our God is one. The program began with the words of David who said, “How good and our pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133:1 Prince Tzipor gave an inspiring message that emphasized the need for Israel to come together for the sake of our children. He spoke knowledgably about our common origin dating back to Chief Rabbi W.A. Matthew and expressed optimism about our ability to work together in the future.
Shabbat morning service was held at B’nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael Congregation in Brooklyn. It is one of the largest congregations in our community occupying a historic synagogue that was constructed in the nineteenth century. The main sanctuary, which can seat over 300 people, had been closed for several years while renovations slowly took place. Rabbi Baruch Yehudah made the decision to reopen the grand sanctuary for this occasion even though the restoration is not yet complete. This act enhanced the general sense of rebirth; just as the temple was being rebuilt we too are being restored. We see areas of improvement and progress alongside areas that need repair. The service was very inclusive—not only in the diversity of the people in the pews, but in how it incorporated all the music, dress, and worship traditions that are valued in our community. African drums harmonized with piano and tambourines. Black cantors chanted familiar prayers with a soulfulness that was so deep and so real that you could feel the meaning even if you did not understand the Hebrew. Rabbi Sholomo Levy’s sermon was called “The Price of Disunity” and it drew from that passaged in the Torah were God said that every day the leaders of Israel spent fighting among themselves and spreading an “evil report” would cost them a year in the wilderness. Numbers 14:34. His point was that every day we waste costs us another year in exile.
These events culminated in the Sunday program at Beth Shalom Congregation in Brooklyn. Awards were presented to distinguished members of our community. Our children and students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement. Adults were recognized for professional accomplishments in their careers and for community service. Rabbi Debra Bowen gave a warm greeting to a packed audience. Rabbi Shmuel Funnye surpassed his well-deserved reputation for oratory by giving an address that evoked the memories of all the rabbis who laid the foundation for the work that he is doing around the world. He emphasized the importance of continuing our efforts to reach out to those still in darkness and to build bridges with progressive members of the larger Jewish community.
Dr. Rudolph Windsor gave a dynamic lecture that served to culminate the events. Best known for his book From Babylon to Timbuktu, which was one of the first historical works to make the connection between ancient Israel and various African societies, Dr. Windsor remained a prolific writer publishing Valley of the Dry Bones, Judea Trembles Under Rome? and most recently a historical novel called Barak and Deborah United. His remarks were very appropriate to the occasion; they recalled the legacy of our founder, Chief Rabbi Matthew, assessed our current situation, offered a detailed plan of action. Dr. Windsor ended his presentation with this powerful admonition to our leaders: “Remember, you cannot lead the people if you don’t love the people and you cannot save the people if you do not serve the people!”