WHAT’S MY NAME? AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHY OF THE PROBLEM OF MORAL EVIL AND ETHNIC SUFFERING IN BLACK JUDAISM A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR of PHILOSOPHY by Andre Eugene Key Department of African American Studies May 2011 Examining Committee Members: Nathaniel Norment, Jr., Advisory Chair, African American Studies Anthony Monteiro, African American Studies Rebecca Alpert, Religion Lewis R. Gordon, External Reader, Philosophy © Andre Eugene Key 2011 All Rights Reserved ii ABSTRACT What’s My Name? An Autoethnography of the Problem of Ethnic Suffering and Moral Evil in Black Judaism Andre Eugene Key Doctor of Philosophy Temple University, 2011 Doctoral Advisory Committee Chair: Nathaniel Norment, Jr. Ph.D. This study examines the problem of ethnic suffering and moral evil in Black Judaism. Black Judaism has been traditionally studied along anthropological and sociological lines, as a result, the core beliefs and theological issues which animate the faith tradition have not been the subject of critical study. This dissertation uses an African-American centered theoretical perspective and a black theology methodological approach to produce an autoethnography of my experiences living as a member of the Hebrew Israelite community. This study suggests that Black Judaism is best understood through an examination of the problem of black theodicy meaning the belief in an omnipotent and benevolent deity while acknowledging the historical oppression of African Americans. Black Judaism articulates a belief in black theodicy which asserts that African Americans are victims of divine punishment and must “repent” in order to experience liberation from ethnic suffering and moral evil in the form of anti-Black racism and white supremacy. This belief in deserved punishment has led Black Judaism into a state of mis-religion. By engaging in the process of gnosiological conversion I will identify the oppressive features of Black Judaism and offer corrective measures. iii Finally, this dissertation will discuss ways in which Black Judaism can conceive of liberation without the need for appeals to redemptive suffering. Concomitantly I will discuss the articulation of a Hebrew Israelite ethno-religious identity which is not predicated on the belief of redemptive suffering. Instead, I propose the basis for a restructuring of the core beliefs of Black Judaism based on humanocentric theism. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank my parents, Benny and Andrea Key. They have been a constant source of support and strength throughout this endeavor. Also I would like to thank my siblings, Tricia, Helana, Che, who have supported me through the years. To my friend Michael A. Jenkins, Jr. thank you for your friendship and support. Next I would like to thank the entire Department of African American Studies faculty who has mentored me over these past six years. In particular I would like to thank my committee members: Dr. Nathaniel Norment, Dr. Anthony B. Monteiro, Dr. Rebecca Alpert and Dr. Lewis Gordon. Without your help this would not be possible. To the peer-mentors that I have met while at Temple I have valued your feedback and encouragement: Walter Isaac, Devon Johnson, Anthony Dandridge, Karanja Keita Caroll, Anyabwile Love, Osizwe Harwell, Alli Chambers, Greg Graham, Yaba Blay, and Sekmet ra em kht maat (Cher McAllister). To the friends and acquaintances that I made while at Congregational Temple Bethel who tolerated my spiritual and intellectual growth through many Sabbath day classes and Torah discussions I thank you for your understanding and patience. To my Beth Shalom family I want to thank you for your love and support. Most importantly I would to thank my spiritual mentor who has always been a patient and wise teacher, Rabbi Capers C. Funnye, Jr. v DEDICATION This is dedicated to the memory of Helen Holliday Louis David Holliday Clara R. Key Hadassah Issachar Dele Osawe Carey Gary A. Tobin Shlomo McCollough and Nathan Grier This work is also dedicated to the Hebrew Israelite community. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ v DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ............................................................................................ xii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Black Jews, Black Hebrews, and Hebrew Israelites: The Issue of Nomenclature .......... 3 Black Jews ................................................................................................................... 4 Black Hebrews/Black Israelites/Hebrew Israelites ...................................................... 5 The Religion of the Israelite Community: Black Judaism .............................................. 6 A Typology of Sectarianism in Black Judaism ............................................................... 8 Rabbinic sects ............................................................................................................ 10 Torah-Only Sects ....................................................................................................... 13 Messianic Hebrews .................................................................................................... 16 Holiness Sects ............................................................................................................ 20 Defining Black Religion and Black Judaism ................................................................ 23 Black Theology and Black Studies: A Shared Genealogy ............................................ 26 Black Theodicy and Black Theology ............................................................................ 31 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 33 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 36 Significance of Study .................................................................................................... 37 Definition of Terms ....................................................................................................... 37 vii Contributions of Study .................................................................................................. 39 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 40 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELEVANT AND RELATED LITERATURE ........................................ 41 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 41 Outline of Themes and Concepts .................................................................................. 44 Symbolic Identification Theory .................................................................................... 52 Black Jews as a “Problem” People ................................................................................ 59 Hebrew Israelites in Israel ............................................................................................. 63 A Review of Black Hebrew Scholarship ....................................................................... 69 Conceptualizing Black Judaism .................................................................................... 74 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 77 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 80 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 80 African-American Centered Perspective ....................................................................... 80 Black Theology as a Methodological Approach to Black Judaism .............................. 86 Research Method ......................................................................................................... 103 Phenomenological Autoethnography ...................................................................... 103 Autoethnographic Method ....................................................................................... 107 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 110 Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 111 Procedure ................................................................................................................. 112 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 113 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 114 viii