ב"ה
Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

Meet the Black Frum Jews

Two decades after the Crown Heights Riots, New York Magazine went to check what it's like to be black and Orthodox Jewish. Full Story

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Diplomat
January 15, 2013 12:42 pm

“They are all orthodox Jews, not all Lubavitch, article was supposed to be more in depth, NY mag didn’t do it. Only 3 out of 5 are converts. They can dress how they want. Get over yourselves. Just have ahavas yisrael and be proud that Judaism spans across all different types of people.”-Some Dude I don’t know

This is the best post yet 🙂

You people don't read
December 30, 2012 1:27 am

They are all orthodox Jews, not all Lubavitch, article was supposed to be more in depth, NY mag didn’t do it. Only 3 out of 5 are converts. They can dress how they want. Get over yourselves. Just have ahavas yisrael and be proud that Judaism spans across all different types of people.

shidduch
December 27, 2012 1:06 am

Well if #27 dosent contact me…I post this to all COL readers. I know an amazing African American young lady in he earl thirties. She is amazing,kind,sweet,involved,fun, ect. She is all around wonderful,never married,tall and pretty. She dosent care what color the skin of the person is,she just needs to meet Mr.right. So..if any of you know a frum lubavitch young man who would like to meet her please contact COLlive.

Jew or Not
December 27, 2012 12:59 am

So are these Blacks African Americans practicing Judaism or are they Jews?

shidduch
December 26, 2012 8:00 pm

Im still waiting for #27 to contact COLlive to see if there is something to talk about….pleasae…

Yishai Shields
December 26, 2012 1:29 pm

Nechemyah Davis is a rock solid dude!

It's 2012 not 1912
December 25, 2012 10:39 pm

This article just perpetuates the stereotype that all orthodox Jews are “black hats” nothing more nothing less.

to #50
December 25, 2012 10:31 pm

If there is no look, then perhaps it would have been better to highlight one or two Modern Orthodox, Black Jews. Judaism, even Orthodox Judaism, can be found outside of the bubble of Crown Heights. I would have written the exact same thing #18 did if this article highlighted White Jews dressed in Eastern European garb. It’s sad that in order to be considered “Orthodox” one must surrender to the Haredi, Hasidic expression of Judaism. All Jews, Hispanic, Black, Indian , White, Chinese or otherwise have something distinct to add to Judaism. Why highlight primarily Haredi, Hasidic Black Jews as… Read more »

It's 2012 stop being ignorant. It's offensive since it's about me and people like me
December 25, 2012 9:31 pm

I think number 18 should refer to number 26
I’m black,Hispanic, and white. I’m also Jewish.
There is no look that African Americans should wear, trust me I’m a fashion student. I’ve gone to crown heights. This is being spoken about because if you go there is a small minute that are African American.
People need to wake up

I'm Jewish and I'm black and hispanic
December 25, 2012 9:23 pm

To say that the Adrian American “abandoned” and ” traded”. Is so offensive. I am a fourth generation Jew. I went to an orthodox school. That is how orthodox dress. The Jews you see that are African American clearly aren’t orthodox if their dress isn’t similar. I’ve been to crown heights, in fact nov1-4 and am from long island.
I just wish people weren’t so ignorant
Judaism is a religion, not a specific race with a certain “look”

JEWS ARE JEWS
December 25, 2012 2:27 pm

NO BLACK YELLOW OR “PINK” WHAT A RACIST ARTICLE … “LOOK AT THE BLACK JEWS…” DISGUSTING…JEWS ARE JEWS NO BLACK YELLOW OR PINK…

Hi Yosef Dovid!
December 25, 2012 9:35 am

Fellow Toledoan! Nice to see you!

shidduch
December 25, 2012 1:40 am

To number 27…I will contact collive today and give them my email address, which hopefully you will contact them and they will give it to you. Looking forward to sharing information and sharing good news.

Link to the FULL ARTICLE
December 25, 2012 1:10 am
go zahava!!!
December 24, 2012 8:42 pm

morristowner

WHAT!?!?!?
December 24, 2012 8:40 pm

why does color make a difference?!?

wow,baruch and zahaza
December 24, 2012 7:33 pm

have a lot of groupies but i knew them way back when here in LA.

Not necassary
December 24, 2012 7:08 pm

Everyone has such strong opinions. Basically, some ppl think its an amazing article, and some ppl think that it’s totally wrong, shallow, and racist. I guess I’m a combination of both. I I think that it is a drop racist to write such an article. Why don’t they write about the Japanese converts, or the Russian converts ever? Why is it always about the ppl that look different from most typical Jewish ppl? I think that regardless of the color of someone’s skin, all converts are special and the African Americans shouldn’t be treated any differently. If it had to… Read more »

arkimania
December 24, 2012 6:30 pm

boruch is the shizzel, supper chassidish, amazing food!

The Other Side of the Story
December 24, 2012 6:26 pm

I’d love to hear a little more about these people, it seems fascinating. Maybe someone can write up a more comprehensive story.

Yeahyyyy
December 24, 2012 5:57 pm

Yossi savoy with the sidder!!!! We love you so much and we are so proud of you!!!! Love you family….

disappointed
December 24, 2012 5:23 pm

the conversation that can ensue about identity issues and other things is so very deep. this article gets a thumbs down. too simple for a far too complex and fascinating subject.

woooohoooo
December 24, 2012 4:37 pm

go boruch and zahava arki!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ethel
December 24, 2012 4:21 pm

whats the difference what color a person is , if they are frum and thats who you want to marry so be it.

MaNishtana?
December 24, 2012 4:10 pm

Was his name assumed later on or was it given from birth? Either way, the person who gave it to him, really has a great sense of humor and creativity

wow
December 24, 2012 3:01 pm

I don’t know you the arkis but I admire you…. and all the others as well!!

this would interest ppl 40 and older
December 24, 2012 2:07 pm

ppl my age (i’m 32) really dont care anymore… we were born decades post segregation and we dont understand your fascination with race for better or worse… (which is why listening to some of the commentary on recent election from both sides of the political divide was tiring if not mildly offensive)

time to move on

To Number 8
December 24, 2012 1:51 pm

I would date a black girl – unfortunately she is quite a bit older than me. I don’t care about the girl’s background as long as she is a good character and baal midos tovos.

to #15
December 24, 2012 1:21 pm

agree with you

AYL
December 24, 2012 1:19 pm

YOSEF DOVID!!! you look great holding that sidur.
May Hashem send you a shiduch very soon. AMEN!!!

Regards

AY

love this article!
December 24, 2012 12:44 pm

thanks for posting something really interesting and eye-opening!

to Number 6
December 24, 2012 12:17 pm

Thank you for posting the link to the video. It was beautiful! Mazal Tov to the newlyweds. Mrs. Benjamin – amazing job!
Mi k’amcha Yisrael….

To number 8
December 24, 2012 11:48 am

I might know a guy for her how do I contact col to get through to you ????

Read the actual NY Mag article
December 24, 2012 11:46 am

ONE- Not all of them are converts.. so that comment can just be deleted. TWO- It’s to celebrate diversity in Judaism. No one is abandoning anything. The point is that you can celebrate being black AND Jewish not Black OR Jewish. Just because they aren’t wearing brightly coloured african garb doesn’t mean they are conforming to something else. Let go and just see the beauty in it. There’s more to a man than clothes. And who are you to say what their heritage is. Judging them to say they are supposed to be a certain way or dress a certain… Read more »

Arky's
December 24, 2012 11:43 am

Long lost LA friends.

Racism charge ad nauseum
December 24, 2012 11:42 am

B”H Why is it that Crown Hts 1991 is almost always referred to as having been “a hotbed of racism”? Racism, really?! Somehow a pogrom perpetrated against innocent Jewish men, WOMEN AND CHILDREN is politically corrected into Crown Hts having been a hotbed of racism – and we all know only white people are racists – and therefore, the Jews had it coming to them. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As a victim of the pogrom along with my family, I have long been outspoken against this deliberate manipulation of the facts. My story and thoughts about the… Read more »

to #3 and the similar
December 24, 2012 11:31 am

i think your comment shows you are interested to know more about it. the article is short, and it is interesting. it is challenge for the bigger group to accept the smaller, and of course a challenge for the smaller group to feel accepted, to be at peace, etc. these blacks that converted are people of strong character, like BTs in general, and like chassidische FFbs too.

totally agree with 3...
December 24, 2012 11:20 am

if their really frum then why bring up their being black? weird in my opinion…

I agree with #16
December 24, 2012 11:06 am

SMILE!!! You’re young, healthy, happily married…show it! 🙂

Don't knock #3.
December 24, 2012 10:56 am

He isn’t immature. On the contrary, he is looking for depth which the article does not have.

What motivated these people? What were their experiences? How do they overcome any obstacles? How rewarding is it for them? How do their children feel? Etc Etc.
The article does not address any of these questions and just offers very shallow information.

Besides this article should mention Rabbi Enan Francis, a Lubavitch Rabbi who is black and is the principal, of Judaic and Secular studies at the Lubavitch Day School in New haven CT.

hardly touches the depth of the subject
December 24, 2012 10:52 am

I have to agree, the article doesn’t come close to doing justice to the depth of faith, commitment and sacrifice existent in converts, who have to excel twice as much to be considered as “good” as anyone born Jewish (to paraphrase GS). The obstacles, heartache, determination and strength that goes into being who you ARE – Jewish – are beyond words. Perhaps that is why the article is so vague?…Nevertheless, kudos to all the article refers to, no matter what background. To #13, you’re right, the Torah only mentions Moshe’s wife’s background in passing – a lesson for all –… Read more »

Agree with # 3
December 24, 2012 10:31 am

Other than the color of their skin, I don’t understand how this article highlights and contrasts their Blackness and Jewishness? To me, it appears as though these Jews have abandoned their unique, distinct African-American cultures and have adopted Old World, Eastern European traditions and appearances. The way they are dressed, as pictured, has NOTHING to do with Judaism. It’s sad – this Eastern European expression of Judaism has become the default for many Black Jews. There are PLENTY of Jews of Color who are observant, but choose not to completely abandon their own heritage to adopt that of Old World… Read more »

to #13 & #10
December 24, 2012 10:20 am

You do realize that part of the point of this article is that NOT all of these people are converts, right? and that there are JEWS, including MULTI-GENERATIONALLY jewish people of color, including African-Americans. But yes, why dwell on the differences? If you could help spread that idea in your community, articles like this would never be necessary. To #10, there is positive. This article (well, the original New York Mag article) was intended to be in part an answer to Oprah’s special a while back. As well, it wasn’t about publicity as much as making everyone else go “And… Read more »

Go Arky's!!
December 24, 2012 10:18 am

You guys look great!! (just a little too serious 😉
You made a beautiful Kiddush Hasham!!

Arieh
December 24, 2012 10:13 am

I see Jews in this picture. Jews who want to keep Torah and Mitzvohs and do the will of HaShem. The color of their skin is irrelevant.

Who cares?
December 24, 2012 9:53 am

Thereyre are converts from all over the world. Even Japanese. A jew is one who converts orthodox and we have a mitzvah to love them. Why dwell on differences? MOshes wife was Ethopian convert but the torah only mentions this in passing.

to # 3
December 24, 2012 9:28 am

you sound like a young and very immature some one who needs to be heard keep your negative comments to yourself and grow up a little.

prlp
December 24, 2012 9:14 am

they look like nice people I would like to know but I tend to agree with #3.

prlp
December 24, 2012 9:13 am

they look like nice people I would like to know but I tend to agree with #3.

What's the point?
December 24, 2012 8:37 am

Unless the interviewees wanted the publicity or thought there is a positive thing to be gained from exposing themselves, I don’t get it. They’re Jewish. They happen to be Black as well. And so?

A Baruch and Zahava fan
December 24, 2012 7:51 am

Baruch and Zehava, may the Aibishter give you guys Brocha. VeHatzlocha bechol maase yedaychem,you are the Rebbes Shluchim, and I’m certain that he sheppes nachas from both of you!
All my love.
An old friend

shidduch
December 24, 2012 3:11 am

I know of a wonderful 35 year old frum lubavitch black young lady,never married, nice, friendly,pretty, and everything a young man would want from a girl.Please contact COL if you know someone….Thanks…A Good Friend

Mi K'Amcha Yisroel
December 24, 2012 2:09 am

This is a beautiful article that highlights diversity and promotes respect, because people may seem different to us, and articles like this point out that even those who may seem different on the outside are all part of the family, and have the same Neshoma as we do.

Lovely Article
December 24, 2012 2:07 am

The Arky’s were recently profiled at the KSCVK dinner.

You can watch the video here:

http://vimeo.com/51726964

Zehava Arky!!
December 24, 2012 1:24 am

lotsa love from Atl:)

MeAnash
December 24, 2012 1:16 am

Great!

What are you saying?
December 24, 2012 1:06 am

This article is decidedly vague and shallow. Other than acknowledging that there are some African American Chassidishe and just plain observant persons it doesn’t really say much at all.

love this
December 24, 2012 1:04 am

such a great idea for an article, and something we can all learn from- new perspectives

Tiferes
December 24, 2012 12:56 am

Go Boruch and Zahava we love you

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