Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. .4 linear ft.

Summary

1. The Wentworth A. Matthew collection relates primarily to the financial and real estate concerns of Rabbi Matthew and the Commandment Keepers. Included are deeds, contracts, architectural drawings and invoices for property purchased in Wyandanch and Babylon, Long Island where Matthew intended to establish a resident community; and insurance policies for property leased by the congregation in Brooklyn and Manhattan. There are also personal insurance policies for Rabbi Matthew; as well as correspondence, and wills deeding property to Rabbi Matthew and the synagogue. Of interest are a 1931 letter from Rabbi Arnold J. Ford, musical director of Marcus Garvey's UNIA, to Matthew discussing the latter's certificate of ordination and urging him to encourage Black Jews to settle in Ethiopia. Matthew's death certificate from Harlem Hospital and letters to his daughter are included in the collection.

Alternative title

1. Wentworth Arthur Matthew collection, 1929-1979.

Subject

1. Matthew, Wentworth Arthur, 1892-1973
2. Ford, Arnold Josiah, 1877-1935
3. Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation (Harlem, New York, N.Y.)
4. Royal Order of Aethiopian Hebrews (Harlem, New York, N.Y.)
5. African Americans > Religion
6. African American Jews > New York (State) > New York
7. African American Jews
8. Jews > New York (State) > New York
9. Judaism > 20th century
10. Black Hebrews > New York (State) > New York
11. Clergy, Black > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

1. Architectural drawings.

Call number

1. Sc MG 609

Note

1. Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Source (note)

1. Elvin Montgomery

Location of other archival materials (note)

1. Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation (New York, N.Y.) records.

Biography (note)

1. Chief Rabbi Wentworth A. Matthew was born in the British West Indies, and began his ministerial career in a black Pentacostal church which had endorsed the Universal Negro Improvement Association founded by Marcus Garvey. The first black rabbi in New York City, Chief Rabbi Matthew founded the Commandment Keepers of the Living God. He trained and ordained many of the black rabbis who later founded synagogues in various cities in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Author

1. Matthew, Wentworth Arthur, 1892-1973.

Title

1. W.A. Matthew collection, 1929-1979.

Biography

1. Chief Rabbi Wentworth A. Matthew was born in the British West Indies, and began his ministerial career in a black Pentacostal church which had endorsed the Universal Negro Improvement Association founded by Marcus Garvey. The first black rabbi in New York City, Chief Rabbi Matthew founded the Commandment Keepers of the Living God. He trained and ordained many of the black rabbis who later founded synagogues in various cities in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
2. Rabbi Matthew believed that the ancient Hebrews were black, and that Judaism was as much a part of black people's culture and religious heritage as was Christianity. In bringing Judaism to blacks he believed he was reclaiming part of their heritage as opposed to converting them to Judaism. Although Matthew incorporated many customs, songs and foods of European Jewish origin into the religious practices he taught, he also introduced African, Caribbean and American traditions to his congregation. His teachings combined Jewish religious traditions with black nationalism and Pan-Africanism as a method of instilling pride in black people. For decades he tried without success to find common ground with white Jews by speaking at white synagogues around the country and at B'nai Brith lodges. He was also unsuccessful in his efforts to join the New York Board of Rabbis, but was accepted by the Tifereth Israel Rabbinical Academy of America. As an adjunct to his congregation, he created a masonic lodge called the Royal Order of Aethiopian Hebrews (1919) in Harlem, New York.

Location of other archival materials

1. Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation (New York, N.Y.) records.

Connect to:

1. Finding aid

Other title

1. Wentworth Arthur Matthew collection, 1929-1979.

Research call number

1. Sc MG 609