Black Hebrew Israelites

Black Hebrew Israelites (also Black Hebrews, African Hebrew Israelites, and Hebrew Israelites) are groups of people of African ancestry situated mostly in the United States who claim to be descendants of the ancient Israelites. They claim that they and many Africans, and blacks in places like Brazil, Madagascar, and the Caribbean, are also descended from the Israelites.

Origins

Adherents of African American and African Caribbean Christianity had long developed a comparison of their experience in the New World with that of the Israelites held in slavery in Egypt, particularly as regards the Book of Exodus. From the mid-18th century a metaphorical embrace of a Hebrew identity was a major element of New World African spirituality. In 1800 members of Gabriel's slave conspiracy in Virginia identified themselves with the Israelites of the Old Testament, as did members of Denmark Vesey's failed rebellion of 1822.[1][2] Later in the 19th century an identification as ancient Hebrews developed from an identification with them.

Groups

Church of the Living God, the Pillar Ground of Truth for All Nations

F. S. Cherry founded a Black Jewish movement called the Church of the Living God in Chattanooga in 1886. It moved to Philadelphia in 1915. Theologically it mixed Judaism and Christianity, counting both the Jewish Bible and the Talmud as essential scriptures. Many Jewish practices and prohibitions were observed by Cherry’s flock. The movement has been reported to survive under the leadership of Cherry’s son, but little information about it has been disseminated.[3]

Church of God and Saints of Christ

The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite religious congregation organized in 1896 by William Saunders Crowdy. They claim to be the oldest African-American congregation in the United States that adheres to the tenets of Judaism. The members of this congregation also believe they are descendants of the “lost tribes of Israel.” Its Judaism was evidenced by the circumcision of newborn boys, use of the Hebrew calendar, wearing of skullcaps, observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, and celebration of Passover.[4] Their doctrine includes the beliefs that God exists, he is one, beside him there is no other, and they acknowledge him by loving him, as Deuteronomy 6:5 reads, "with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might." The Ten Commandments form the core of their ethical beliefs. In 1906, Crowdy passed his leadership to three successors: Chief Joseph W. Crowdy, Bishop William H. Plummer, and Counselor Calvin S. Skinner. Skinner consecrated for leadership Rabbi Howard Z. Plummer, who prior to his demise ordained Rabbi Levi S. Plummer. Since 2001, the congregation has been led by Rabbi Jehu A. Crowdy, Jr. It has its headquarters in Belleville (Suffolk), Virginia, with tabernacles across the United States, Jamaica, and Africa.[5]

African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem

The African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem (known in Israel as the Black Hebrews) is a small spiritual group whose members believe they are descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. With a population of over 2,000, most members live in their own community in Dimona, Israel. The Black Hebrews practice polygyny and adhere to a strict vegan diet as part of a complete holistic lifestyle.[6]

Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ

Perhaps one of the most widespread and powerful groups, the ICGJC evolved and grew over 40 years. The group was founded by Abba Bivens in 1960s Harlem. It was originally called the Israeli School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK), but later changed its name to the Israeli Church of Universal Practical Knowledge (ICUPK) as part of a plan to attain tax exemption status, though some splinter groups still call themselves ISUPK. The use of the word "Israeli" rather than "Israelite" was confusing to many believers and non-believers (as members were also adamant about distinguishing themselves from the Jewish people in Israel), so they eventually changed their name to the Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ (ICGJC). The basic doctrine of the ICGJC is that Blacks are a master race superior to all peoples, and the World was created only for Black Israelites. They preach that God loves only black israelites and that there is no room on this planet for people they deem undesirable, a list which includes Caucasians, East Indians, Homosexuals, Arabs, and Asians.

Unlike other BHI groups, ICGJC is also open to Native Americans, who are Israelites according to their interpretation of the Bible. They also teach that West Indians, Cubans, Seminole Indians, Argentineans, Chileans, Colombians, Uruguayans, Panamanians, and Mexicans are of the 12 Tribes of Israel too.

One of its practices is the belief that "as long as you hear the word and believe the word of GOD you are an Israelite," and the church professes that Israelites are scattered throughout the world. In their communications, the group calls itself "The Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ" and capitalizes the word "God" in their name as "GOD"; they teach that Jesus Christ is God.

Various "splinter" groups claim to teach the same things, but can be very loosely grouped together. The church also teaches that these groups are fulfilling scripture according to 1 John 2:18-23. Their leader is a young man named Tazadaqyah; they teach that he is the "comforter"; the spirit of Christ on earth. Only following him can you get the kingdom of heaven. The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ also advocates a King James Version-only approach to the Bible (i.e., they only endorse the KJV as scripture). Their teachings reveal that the white people are Edomites and a devil race whose primary goal is destruction of the world. The teachings also say that whites invented homosexuality and other sexual perversions to help destroy the world (other so-called "Black Israelite" rebel sects declare white people to be descendants of Japhet, but the Israelite Church denies this statement), and speak לשון קודש, "Lashawan Qawadash" ("[The] Holy Tongue," which has no systematic grammar, and is merely composed of a few conversational Hebrew expressions, spoken in a thick American accent, without any vowels except 'a' and 'i' -- the group alleges that an 'Edomite [i.e., Jewish] Conspiracy' devised diacritical marks in order to corrupt it). The Israelites can be seen preaching on the streets of many American cities. They also produce a television show called "The Hidden Truth," which is aired on cable public access stations throughout the United States. Websites endorsing the community include the holy conception unit and ICGJCMD.

The Israel of God Bible Study class

The Israel of God is a Bible Study class, located 2515 E. 75th Street Chicago, IL, whose purpose is to teach the uncut word of God according to the Prophets (old testament) and Apostles (new testament). Through long and careful search of the Holy Bible (from Genesis to Revelation), The Israel of God have concluded that the Israelites (Jews) are in fact a Black People.

The Israel of God’s teaching preference “We only teach what we can prove (through scriptures)”, has not only proven popular amongst students of the Bible but overwhelming to all opposition. What particularly distinguishes The Israel of God from many fellow Black Hebrew Israelites is the acknowledgment of Jesus as the King of Israel and from fellow Christians is the observance of the Royal Law, which is the Ten Commandments.

With the addition of audio and video tapes, books, newsletters, cable and local TV, internet, and host of Bible Study classes throughout the 50 states, the IOG movement is rapidly gaining recognition and respect.

The IOG Movement: A Short List Of Bible Study Classes In The U.S.A.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 2515 E. 75th Street Chicago, Illinois 60649 Phone: (773) 374-6413 or 1 800 96-BIBLE Fax: (773) 374-9798 www.theisraelofgod.com email: theisrael@earthlink.net Contact Person: Bro. Henry Buie
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 4957 Redan Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Phone: (404) 298-9393 Fax: (404) 298-9324 www.theisraelofgodatl.com/ Contact Person: Bro. Jezreel
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 372 Fougeron Street BUFFALO, NY 14211 Phone: (716) 897-2270 Fax: (716) 897-1013 Contact Person: Bro. Harold Walker
DALLAS, TEXAS 2903 Martin Luther King Jr.Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75215 Phone: (214) 421-0600 Fax: (214) 421-0615 email: iogdallas@comcast.net Contact Person: Bro. Mike Murray
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 625 Stassen Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49004 Phone: (269) 381-1926 Contact Person: Bro. Robert Ryan
MEMPHIS, TENNESEE 1081 McClure Memphis, TN 38111 Phone: (901) 332-6221 Fax: (901) 332-2925 Contact Person: Bro. Harold Robinson
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 3456 Fremont Ave. North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55412 Phone: (612) 522-0619 Fax (612) 374-1241 Contact Person: Bro. Tony Johnson

Racism and Anti-Semitism

Because their faith is only open to Black people, some Black Hebrew Israelite groups have been accused of racism and of being "in some ways mirror images of the Christian Identity groups."[7] Also, because of the focus of groups like Israelite Heritage ([8]), Christian Israelite Network ([9]), and Nation of Yahweh on Jews, whom they insist are not Israelites at all, but rather Edomites and Khazars acting on behalf of Satan [10][11] and secretly controlling the United States [12], they have been accused of anti-Semitism. According to the ADL, "Tragically, though Blacks have long been victimized by racism, some African-Americans have turned to the propaganda of racial hate."[13].

External links

Video

Hebrew Israelites of Chicago