An uplifting tribute to a 'Master teacher, spiritual leader, and friend.'

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Assistant Editor- | Last updated: Jan 15, 2015 - 11:37:17 AM

(FinalCall.com) - An uplifting memorial tribute was held January 4 for the spiritual guide and leader of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben Israel who passed December 27 at the age of 75.

During the tribute, lively musical tributes were sung and a display screen showed highlights of his numerous meetings with prominent entertainers, religious leaders and dignitaries. One moving image showed Rahbee Ben Ammi with members of his community as they exited the airplane after leaving the United States of America.

Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben Israel with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan at The National House in Chicago, Illinois.

The group has been lauded for their work and sacrifice by political officials and others in the United States and abroad during the nearly five decades since the first members left America. Many who spoke to honor him called him a master teacher, and a thoughtful and caring friend.

“While obviously deeply saddened at the loss of our Holy Father’s physical presence,” said Ahmadiel Ben Yehuda, a spokesperson for the group, “we are nevertheless emboldened in knowing that his spirit truly lives in each and every one of us. We are also cognizant of the fact that—with tens of thousands of people near and far who drew inspiration from his words, message and example—we are greatly blessed in having had the opportunity to serve with him over the five decades of his selfless leadership. As such, we are as focused and determined as ever to continue to fulfill, maintain, and further his vision for all humanity and the Creation. His example and focused commitment to Yah and His people will be an eternal flame in our hearts and a guiding light on our path.”

The spiritual leader often described a vision he received in February of 1966 informing him that it was time for the Children of Israel who remained in America—their land of captivity—to return to their place of origin. In 1967 after gaining a more thorough understanding of the vision, he inspired 400 followers to make the exodus out of America, first settling in Liberia for two and a half years, then settling in Dimona, Israel in 1969. Dimona is a city in the Negev desert about 22 miles west of the Dead Sea with a population of over 34,000. There they began to build a community of faith and works under his guidance and leadership.

In front of Mosque Maryam in Chicago, Illinois (L-R) Claudette Marie Muhammad, Prince Asiel Ben Israel, Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben Israel and members of the African Hebrew Israelite community. Charlene Muhammad is on the far right. Photos Courtesy: Claudette Marie Muhammad

The establishment of their society in the desert was not without struggle. Initially without legal protection or cultural acceptance, the community faced intense pressure from the Israeli government refusing to recognize them as Jews according to Israel’s Law of Return. Many members faced deportation, while others were banned from participating in Israel’s national educational system or health care system which is available to residents and immigrants. The African Hebrew Israelites also withstood blistering media attacks on the character of the group’s leadership and members.

Despite these obstacles, they continued to build their own schools, establish their own businesses and health care systems to serve the needs of their people. In 1990, many of the obstacles related to residency were removed as they were granted temporary residency status. Permanent residency status was given by Israel’s Ministry of Interior in 2003.

Now over four decades later, they have become a part of the society with members of their community participating in the Maccabiah games—the Israeli equivalent of the Olympics—as well as serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. They have also established a very popular Soul Vegetarian restaurant in Tel Aviv, and they have even established an administrative office in Dimona’s city hall.

“When we have great spiritual teachers that bind a community together based on the solid, immutable principles that are found in the nature of God and the order of the universe itself, these principles never die though we who base our lives on these principles have to at some point return to Him, our Creator, who gave us life,” said the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in a statement. “The prophets of God are never spoken of as being dead, neither are righteous.”

Claudette Marie Muhammad, National Director of Fundraising and former National Chief of Protocol for the Nation of Islam, first met Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben Israel in 1984 when she was invited to Dimona, by Ambassador Prince Asiel Ben Israel.

“He, his family and The Saints—the members of the African Hebrew Israelite community—received me beautifully. Rahbee Ben Ammi accepted me as a member of his family and took time to personally meet with me each of the numerous times I’ve been to Israel. On several of my visits, I accompanied he and his wives to several cities in Israel,” said Ms. Muhammad. “He will be truly missed. He has done great work building the African Hebrew Israelite community and receiving dignitaries from all walks of life, enlightening them and informing them of the Hebrew Israelite way of life,” she added.

During his last visit to the U.S. in 2008, there was a luncheon held for many of Chicago’s Black political and spiritual leadership. They spoke with admiration for Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben-Israel’s, commitment, persistence, and the collective work of the African Hebrew Israelite community. Many of the dignitaries recounted for the audience their memorable trips to Israel to view the community’s works firsthand. One of them was Illinois Congressman Danny K. Davis.

“People without visiting close up with them—it almost sounds like a fairy tale. But when you see it, you know it’s not a fairy tale,” Rep. Davis told The Final Call. “I’ve been fortunate enough to see with my own eyes and to experience it. I know what they’ve done, and I know the difficulties they’ve had and I know the revelation they can share in terms of revealing to others throughout the world the possibility of things,” he added.

Under Rahbee Ben Ammi’s leadership several service institutions have been developed: The African Hebrew Development Agency is an officially registered Local NGO in the Republic of Kenya and Israel. The Institute of Regenerative Truth provided a process in which, according to the group, “an ancient system of training and developing a mind and character to incubate the seeds of truth to express and manifest sacred ideas. The group’s innovations through organic farming, dietary innovations and natural foods is known worldwide, and their online radio station WKOY plays righteous and clean music 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Some speakers at the tribute were Mayor of Dimona, Beni Bitton, New York born Rabbi Yitzchok Elefant, chief rabbi of Dimona in Israel’s south for over 30 years and Yuli-Yoel Edelstein of the Likud Party, who currently serves as Speaker of the Knesset.

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