| Revision as of 06:35, 10 June 2008 editDdore155 (talk | contribs)19 edits Reference to the 1970 movie The Angel Levine, in which the founder and the synagogue buiding appeared; a verifiable fact which is neutral and does not have a confict of interest← Previous edit | Revision as of 06:57, 10 June 2008 edit undoDdore155 (talk | contribs)19 edits Insertion of index numbers in response to request for citations. The cited actions are interrelated. This is neutral and verifiable information on file with the New York County Clerk.Next edit → | ||
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| The congregation is featured in a scene from the 1970 motion picture ] which starred ] and ]. | The congregation is featured in a scene from the 1970 motion picture ] which starred ] and ]. | ||
| In 1973, Matthew died, creating an interior conflict over who would be the new leader. David Matthew Doré, who was 16 years old at the time, was named spiritual leader of the congregation just before Matthew’s death. In 1975, the board of the congregation elected Willie White to be the new leader. Doré continued to host services at the synagogue until the early 1980s, when White began locking people out. Doré at this time was working as a ], but states that he often tried to enter the synagogue. Throughout the 1990's membership was declining. In 2004, Zechariah ben Lewi became the rabbi for the Commandment Keepers, and membership has dropped to eight people. A ] was filed against Doré that year for wrongfully claiming himself to be the spiritual leader of the congregation. The court ruled against Doré.<ref name="Jewish Week">{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Herschthal |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Decline Of A Black Synagogue |url=http://joi.org/bloglinks/black%20synagogue%20Jewish%20Week.htm |work= |publisher=] |date=July 6, 2007 |accessdate=2008-02-09 }}</ref> The ruling was overturned |
In 1973, Matthew died, creating an interior conflict over who would be the new leader. David Matthew Doré, who was 16 years old at the time, was named spiritual leader of the congregation just before Matthew’s death. In 1975, the board of the congregation elected Willie White to be the new leader. Doré continued to host services at the synagogue until the early 1980s, when White began locking people out. Doré at this time was working as a ], but states that he often tried to enter the synagogue. Throughout the 1990's membership was declining. In 2004, Zechariah ben Lewi became the rabbi for the Commandment Keepers, and membership has dropped to eight people. A ] was filed against Doré that year for wrongfully claiming himself to be the spiritual leader of the congregation. The court ruled against Doré.<ref name="Jewish Week">{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Herschthal |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Decline Of A Black Synagogue |url=http://joi.org/bloglinks/black%20synagogue%20Jewish%20Week.htm |work= |publisher=] |date=July 6, 2007 |accessdate=2008-02-09 }}</ref> The ruling was overturned July 9, 2007.{{See COMMANDMENT KEEPERS vs. DORE, DAVID MATTHEW Supreme Court of the State of New York Index #100769/2004}} Doré, as attorney for Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of the Living God Pillar and Ground of Truth, Inc., filed a lawsuit against the board for selling the historic landmark and in October 2007 a court vacated the sale and ordered a trial.{{See COMMANDMENTS KEEPERS Supreme Court of the State of New York Index #117509/2006}} As of 2008, Doré's suit against the buyer was pending.{{See COMMANDMENT KEEPERS vs. 31 MOUNT MORRIS PARK, Supreme Court New York County Index #106102/2007}} | ||
| The congregation will be profiled in a documentary film currently under development, which will be released in the near future.<ref></ref> | The congregation will be profiled in a documentary film currently under development, which will be released in the near future.<ref></ref> | ||
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The "Commandment Keepers: Holy Church of the Living God" are a sect of Black Jews, founded in 1919 by Nigerian-born Rabbi Wentworth Arthur Matthew, who believe that people of Ethiopian descent represent one of the lost tribes of Israel. They claim King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba as their ancestors, and believe the biblical patriarchs to have been black.
The mother congregation of the movement has since 1962 been located at 1 West 123rd Street in Harlem, New York City. Most of its members are black but it has always had white visitors and occasionally white members. They use the De Sola Pool Spanish and Portuguese prayerbook, the Hertz Chumash, parchment Torah scrolls, and offer standard orthodox Sephardi style Sabbath and Jewish Holyday services.
The congregation is featured in a scene from the 1970 motion picture The Angel Levine which starred Harry Belafonte and Zero Mostel.
In 1973, Matthew died, creating an interior conflict over who would be the new leader. David Matthew Doré, who was 16 years old at the time, was named spiritual leader of the congregation just before Matthew’s death. In 1975, the board of the congregation elected Willie White to be the new leader. Doré continued to host services at the synagogue until the early 1980s, when White began locking people out. Doré at this time was working as a lawyer, but states that he often tried to enter the synagogue. Throughout the 1990's membership was declining. In 2004, Zechariah ben Lewi became the rabbi for the Commandment Keepers, and membership has dropped to eight people. A lawsuit was filed against Doré that year for wrongfully claiming himself to be the spiritual leader of the congregation. The court ruled against Doré. The ruling was overturned July 9, 2007.Template:See COMMANDMENT KEEPERS vs. DORE, DAVID MATTHEW Supreme Court of the State of New York Index Doré, as attorney for Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of the Living God Pillar and Ground of Truth, Inc., filed a lawsuit against the board for selling the historic landmark and in October 2007 a court vacated the sale and ordered a trial.Template:See COMMANDMENTS KEEPERS Supreme Court of the State of New York Index As of 2008, Doré's suit against the buyer was pending.Template:See COMMANDMENT KEEPERS vs. 31 MOUNT MORRIS PARK, Supreme Court New York County Index
The congregation will be profiled in a documentary film currently under development, which will be released in the near future.
References
- ^ The Manhattan African-American History and Culture Guide, Museum of the City of New York
- University of Virginia New Religious Movements website
- Herschthal, Eric (July 6, 2007). "Decline Of A Black Synagogue". The Jewish Week. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - "The Commandment Keepers" film website
- Article on Black Jewish community, jewishvirtuallibrary.org
- Synagogue profile at nyc-architecture.com
- Congregation description at film website
- New York Post article on congregation.
External links
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