Afro-American Jews
From Safon.org
Between 40,000 and 500,000 American Jews are coloured. Assuming that 250,000 is the correct number, this amounts to 2.2% of all the Jews of the United States. These Jews often call themselves Black Jews, Hebrews, or Israelites. Some famous Afro-American Jews are: Sammy Davis Jr. (entertainer), Slash (the guitar player of Guns and Roses), Lisa Bonet (“Denise” on the Cosby Show), and Whoopi Goldberg.
[edit] Links
- Black Jews, Hebrews, and Israelites – “News, information, and conversation for and about people of color who practice the Hebrew faith. All interested persons are invited to visit our online kavurah (community of friends).”
- Black and Jewish Web Page – This site has two main goals: 1) to spread information about Judaism amongst non-Jews and to make it known that one can convert to Judaism, and 2) to inform other Jews about the variation one can find in the Jewish people. By Michael Hudson.
- Shalom Sistahfriends – “This is the place for Jewish women of African descent. The list serves many purposes: It is a discussion forum for Black women who are interesting in or are in the process of converting to Judaism and for both born and JBC women to share with one another our experiences as Jews. It’s a place to learn more about our religion, our history, diverse cultures, and traditions. Topic to include everything from how to prepare Shabbos meals to Jewish laws, problems and joys of interracial and interfaith relationships to immersion in the mikvah, where to locate a Rabbi to how to find a nice Jewish boy! It’s a forum for those who are married to or dating Jewish. A place to talk about racism, anti-Semitism and any other ism that affects us. A space for Jewish women who are NOT of African descent to meet those who are and come together as one community. To break down racial barriers that sometimes keep us apart. Most importantly Shalom-Sistahfriends is a home where friendships develop, sisterhood is found and the nurturing of each other’s spirit take place. All Jews or soon to be Jews are welcomed to post so long as one is mindful of and respectful of our individual differences, experiences, and backgrounds. This is a Jewish list. No Christian missionaries, hate filled liberation theologies, thought police, anti-interracial yap, racist crap, sexist flap or trolls!”
[edit] Biographies and personal home pages
- Biographies of Black American Jews – Afro-American Jewish biographies. Web editor: Sheree Curry Levy.
- Beliefnet.com - African American and Orthodox Jewish – Black converts to Orthodox Judaism discuss what drew them to their new faith and the challenges they face from both communities. By Debra Goldberg.
- «Organization for black Jews claims 200,000 in U.S.» – Article about Robin Washington’s background as black and Jewish and about his helping to organise the Alliance of Black Jews in 1995. By Michael Gelbwasser, publ. in the Boston Jewish Advocate and republished in the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California April 10, 1998.
- Maznayim.com – Afro-American Jewish Tamu (Tamar) Ngina is an artist and believes strongly in tikkún ŋolám.
