"Jersey City Kosher Market Was ‘Clearly’ Targeted"

14 Kislev 5780

This was the big news story of the day in America.  New York Channel 4 News is reporting that while a motive is still not known, police have determined that a shooting at a Jersey City kosher grocery was not random.  New details emerging about the perpetrators are raising some disturbing issues.

Three sources say [David] Anderson was a one-time follower of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, a group whose members believe they are descendants of the ancient Israelites and may adhere to both Christian and Judaic beliefs. There was a note with religious writings in the U-Haul he and [Francine] Graham allegedly drove to the scene, but a motive -- including any alleged nexus to hate or terror remains under active investigation, officials say.

Law enforcement sources had no immediate details on Graham, but a neighbor tells News 4 she lived near him for years. The neighbor described Graham as a former home health aide in Manhattan who met Anderson after she got hurt at work and quit; he says Graham turned into a "dark person" after they met.

The neighbor also claims Graham was coerced into a militant religion he could not identify; chanting and reading of the New Testament, translated into "evil," could be heard from her home, he said.

[Jersey City Shooting Victim Yeshiva Bochur Moshe Hersh Deutsch HY”D]

[Jersey City Shooting Victim Mrs Leah Mindel Ferencz HY”D, Mother Of 5, Founder of New Community] 

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Black Hebrew Israelites in the State of Israel

The Black Hebrew Israelites are a fascinating group to study in the context of religion, race, Jewish and African American relations, and Israel. The Black Hebrews was founded in 1892 by William Saunders Crowdy, who claims to be a prophet. The core belief of the Black Hebrews is that Black Americans, and all those descended from Africa, are God’s true Chosen People. They believe that those who identify as Jews today are imposters, although they do not identify as Jews or even as a religion, but instead as a nation (Weisbord 1975). Their places of worship are called churches, and they primarily use Christian text as the foundation for their teachings. The Black Hebrew Israelites are considered a hate group in America due to the use of violence and harassment as a means to spread their messages. The Black Hebrews consider Israel as part of Africa, and around 3,000 African Americans have moved to Israel to live on a kibbutz in Dimona. The Black Hebrew Israelites prove to be a controversial group. Although they may be seen as a reflection of discontent with America’s persistent, systemic racism, and the complexity of the State of Israel as a biblical homeland to many.

Prophet William Saunders Crowdy, who was born a slave in Maryland, had a revelation while clearing his fields in an all-Black town in Oklahoma. He then began preaching what is now known as Black Hebrew Israel philosophy to his church.  Followers believe they are the true descendants of ancient Israelites, and that people who call themselves Jews today are devils and imposters. They consider themselves to be a nation of people. The ideology is considered Black supremacist, and aims to empower those who are disenfranchised by mainstream American society. While the Black Hebrew Israelites believe they are Jewish by descent, they do not practice Judaism. Many wear Jewish stars and menorahs on their clothing, especially in public protests. Many wear traditional tallit (prayer shawls) and tzitzit (tassel worn under clothing as reminder of commandments), and observe Shabbat (the day of rest on Saturday). Their church is formally called the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ.

Read the article in full HERE.