The growth of Judaizing sects among the Negro population in Harlem is reported in “The Sephardic Bulletin,” a monthly publication of the Sephardic Jewish community in New York. Several congregations of the “Negro Jews” are in existence with a membership of 2,000 among whom there are 200 converts.
The elements of the Jewish ritual are freely mixed with some Christian beliefs. Claiming to be the descendants of the tribe of Judah they believe that the “white Jews” derive from the lost ten tribes. The Negro Jewish congregations accept the divinity of Jesus.
“The Sephardic Bulletin” describes these congregations as follows:
At No. 29 West 131st Street there is a Synagogue belonging to a Congregation of Negroes who say they are Jews, real Jews.
A sign in front of the door reads “The Commandment Keepers.” “Services Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Bishop A. W. Mathews.”
The members of this “Negro Jewish Synagogue” worship God as we worship Him, eat only Kosher meat, and play instruments during their services. Bishop Mathews holds classes during the week to teach Hebrew.
The Congregation B’nai Beth Abraham has a Community house for teaching Hebrew to children and adults and the Talmud Torah Beth Zion also belong to these Negro Jews.
They believe that they are the pure, original Israelites of the tribe of Judah and that the white Jews are of the ten lost tribes. The majority of these claim to be of Abyssinian origin. Bishop Mathews speaks Hebrew such as is spoken in Palestine.
The Congregation is at once unorthodox and orthodox. The members keep the Sabbath on Saturday. They fast on Yom Kippur, eat Matzoth on Pesach and some of them send their children to Jewish schools. But they accept Jesus. In all they have a membership of 2,000 of whom more than 200 are converts. Converts are those who admit being not Abyssinians, but who accept Judaism and pass the requirements of such acceptance.
As the Bishop enters the Synagogue he kisses the tips of his fingers and touches them to the “Mezuza” on the jamb of the door and says “Shalom.” Heads are covered in the Synagogue and every member wears a “Talleth.” At one end of the Synagogue is a pulpit covered with a rich deep purple velvet cloth. Embroidered on it is the “Maguen-David,” in gilt. On one wall is the Hebrew alphabet and on the other the Ten Commandments. They sing their Hymns over and over again, their feet beating time on the floor. They jazz it in the African fashion.
Prayers are said in Hebrew and explained in English and concluded with prayers for God’s blessing on his “true children of Israel” and for all others that they might “see the light.” Prayers are also said for the President of the United States, for Congress and for “the sheriffs and the judges of our land”. Finally the entire Congregation rises and joins together in reading the Ten Commandments.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
