Guess Who’s Coming…To Hanukkah?
Rabbi Sholomo B. Levy represented the Israelite Board of Rabbis at a gathering for Jewish leaders on December 6, 2015. Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents the 6th District of New York, hosted the Hanukkah reception for her Jewish constituents at the Central Queens Y in Forrest Hills, New York. Approximately thirty Jewish leaders attended; most of whom were rabbis or politicians. Those seen in the photograph above include: Rabbi Abraham Markowitz of the Satmar Yeshiva in Glendale; Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Special Community Liason, Rabbi Romiel Daniel, President of the Rego Park Jewish Center, Congresswoman Meng, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and Rabbi Sholomo Levy, Spiritual Leader of Beth Elohim Hebrew Congregation.
The invitation stated that this was an annual event, but it was the first time that Rabbi Levy had been asked to attend. He described the gathering this way: “I joked with Congresswoman Meng that it took her (a Chinese American who is not Jewish) to facilitate a Hanukkah party that included Black Jews.” The irony was further heightened by the remark that Congressman Gregory Meeks (an African American Christian) in whose district Beth Elohim is located, could learn from Meng that “one does not have to be Jewish to have an interracial Hanukkah party!”
Many of the leaders Rabbi Levy met said they knew of the existence of Black Jews but did not know any personally—except for the late Rabbi Hailu Paris, who was revered on the New York Jewish scene until his death last year. The biggest exception to this pattern was Rabbi Daniel who is himself of Indian background, though his congregation is largely Ashkenazi. He and Rabbi Levy had met several years ago in California at a conference of Jews of Color sponsored by Be’chol Lashon. They talked about how the Jews of India were sometimes referred to as the “Black Jews.”
Rabbi Levy said that these gatherings were excellent informal opportunities for Jews who do not normally interact to get to know each other. He described a brief but interesting conversation he had with Rabbi Markowitz, leader of a Satmar Yeshiva. Rabbi Levy said, “I see them (Hasidim) walking along various streets in Brooklyn, but it would be very awkward to strike up a discussion with one of their leaders on matters of Torah, such as the concept of shuvah. Since we were seated at the same table, we were able to have a short dialog about topics that rabbis should be able to discuss with far greater frequency. I pray that more trust and understanding emerges from these meetings.
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