Meeting the African Hebrew Israelites in Joburg

JORDAN MOSHE

Although their faith is relatively young, the African Hebrew Israelites maintain an identity that is strikingly similar to Judaism in many ways. While they don’t identify as Jews per se, many of their customs are drawn from Jewish texts and teaching.

“Essentially, we are a people who have reclaimed a particular identity,” says Akh Hodiel. “We have not created a new one, but have assumed one that existed for many years.” A convert to the faith since 2007, Hodiel explains that the group, which started in the United States, has been in existence officially for about 40 years.

According to their belief, they are the remnants of a group which was originally part of the Israelite nation, but driven from Jerusalem by the Romans into different parts of the world, including Africa, in 70 C.E.

Many Israelites migrated to West Africa, where once again, they were taken captive – this time by Europeans on slave ships – to the Americas along with other African tribespeople.

“In 1966, our spiritual leader, Ben Ammi, received a vision from the angel Gabriel,” says Hodiel. “He was told that the time had come for the lost children of Israel to return to their land, and the exodus movement was born.”

In 1967, the first group of 39 Israelites made the move from Chicago to North West Africa. They settled in Liberia’s interior to rid themselves of the “negative attributes” they had acquired in captivity.

After spending two-and-a-half years in Liberia, the Israelites were prepared to make the last section of their journey to Israel, which they call home. According to Hodiel, somehow they managed to get into Israel in 1969 under the Law of Return.

More would continue to arrive until 1972, when the Law of Return was changed and only those born of a Jewish mother were considered eligible to enter Israel.

Still, those who settled in Israel continued to follow the directive of Ammi. “We had a spiritual mission,” says Hodiel. “We had to establish a kingdom of G-d in Israel despite the constant threat of arrest and deportation from the land.” After scouting for a suitable location, Ammi chose to establish this kingdom in the Negev desert in Dimona, securing a disused army barracks as an initial base.

From there, the kingdom grew and developed into what Hodiel says is a thriving urban kibbutz called Kfar Hashalom. Nevertheless, the Israelites have had a tempestuous relationship with the Israeli government.

However, in March 2012, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the community’s participation in the Israeli Defence Force, according to Haaretz. “On this opportunity, I want to send my blessing to the members of the co-operative society that is working towards the inclusion of the Hebrew Israelite community in Israeli society at large,” read a letter Netanyahu sent to them. “Your integration in recent years into the Israel Defence Forces reflects your status as an integral part of the Israeli experience and its institutions.”

Hodiel said his own involvement with the Israelites began in 2005 while studying at Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Hodiel befriended a fellow student who was involved in various arts and cultural societies on campus. Through his involvement, Hodiel found out about the Israelites, many of whom were students at the university.

When he returned to his native East London, Hodiel sought out the local faith group in his area, attending information classes held at the East London Museum.

“I went in, sat down, and that was the end of the story,” he says. “My grandmother identified as Anglican, and I used to attend church services with her. I would swing the incense burner during services, but gradually withdrew, and would read my Bible at the back of the church.”

Hodiel’s interest in the Israelites went uncontested by his grandmother and sisters, all of whom respected his decision and encouraged him to do what he saw fit. “Although it was hard to withdraw from the life I had known, I felt I had to. I no longer went to family gatherings like Christmas, and though some of my relatives were angry, I pursued my path.”

After attending classes for a few months, Hodiel became part of the group at a graduation held at the first national gathering of the Israelites in South Africa in 2007. “Since then,” he says, “I’ve been on a journey as an individual and as a part of the African Hebrew Israelites as a whole.”

Though the kingdom has been established, the work of the faith’s members continues, he says. “We are tasked with heralding the kingdom of G-d and sending envoys around the world to share His word with humanity,” he says. “We encourage others not necessarily to convert, but to come and see what G-d has created in his kingdom in the Holy Land.” The Israelites have set ups across the globe, all of which are geared towards promoting the prominence of the kingdom in Israel.

Central to supporting this kingdom is to maintain a particular way of life. The Israelites aim to “return to the state of simplicity” in which people lived during the time of Genesis, when humanity first began.

Says Hodiel: “We strive to begin humanity anew, relying on the text of the prophets for guidance. The prophets of history all stemmed from the lineage of Abraham through blood and the power of prophecy, and we believe that we are part of that lineage.”

The Old Testament, therefore, is a key text to the Israelites, as well as the other books of the Tanach, especially the Prophets. While the group does recognise the New Testament, anything it contains which clashes with the Old Testament is considered non-binding.

The Israelites’ lifestyle includes not eating meat. In fact, they are strictly vegan, wear clothing made of natural fibres only, and fast fairly often. They are clean living, avoiding alcohol and drugs.

While they do not form communities as such, groups of Israelites tend to live together in a certain area, though their prayers are recited individually.

Like Jews, they pray three times daily, but also allow for the inclusion of additional services as individuals. Also, like Jews, the group observes a form of Shabbat on Saturdays. While they make every effort to avoid working on Shabbat, they make an exception for those who need to work. They also fast for the duration of Shabbat.

The group also maintains a strong Hebrew education, believing it crucial to their faith and to connecting properly with the prophetic texts.

Although they are often at odds with South African society, the Israelites here remain committed to their path and their beliefs. “People need to be patient and understanding when confronted with groups which aren’t familiar to them,” says Hodiel. “We aren’t so different from many African cultures, and have much in common with other people in our country.

“Our way of life has proven itself over its 50-year history, and though we may come under fire, we’re prepared to roll with the punches.”