Blog

Stray thoughts on religion, race, culture, and other things that interest me.

Catching up with ‘kosher gospel’ innovator Joshua Nelson

A chat with the "prince of kosher gospel" about touring with Neil Young, living on a kibbutz, and his next album.
Joshua Nelson performs at a Juneteenth event in San Francisco, June 17, 2025. (Adam Jaeger Silverman)

This African Hebrew Israelite busker spreads joy across Tel Aviv

On Purim, Yokai Ben Israel Edwards had an unfortunate run-in with Israeli police. The city should embrace him, not treat him like a criminal.
Yokai Ben Israel Edwards performs at the Jaffa Flea Market in 2022. (Andrew Esensten)

Remembering Abshalom Ben Shlomo, Hebrew Israelite jazz man

The masterful musician, who passed away at home in Dimona over the summer, introduced 'free play' to the local music scene.
Abshalom Ben Shlomo played saxophone with the Sun Ra Arkestra before moving to Israel in 1971. (Courtesy Abshalom Ben Shlomo)

Hebrew Israelites in Popular Culture

A list of American and Israeli films, TV shows, and music that feature Hebrew Israelites or were inspired by their beliefs.
Rabbi Wentworth Arthur Matthew in a scene from "The Angel Levine" (1970).

For a Righteous Cause Report: Reviving the Black-Jewish Alliance

In the year following the Ye and Kyrie Irving antisemitism controversies, some heartening progress was made to repair the historical Black-Jewish alliance.
Two Museums Program participants in Washington, D.C. (Adelphi University)

Antisemitism Worldwide Report: Ye, Kyrie Irving and Radical Hebrew Israelites

When do claims made by members of various Hebrew Israelite sects cross the line from historically and/or theologically contested to unequivocally antisemitic?
Israel United in Christ members march in New York, November 2022. (Facebook)

Tel Aviv bookseller turns customers into characters in first book

A Q&A with Yosef Halper about his new short story collection, "The Bibliomaniacs: Tales from a Tel Aviv Bookseller."
Yosef Halper at his Allenby store. (Mark Mindel)

Remembering Ahdaiyah, the “Eternal” Hebrew songstress

Although I did not know her well, I had the privilege of sharing the stage with Ahdaiyah and the New Jerusalem Fire Choir several times during my years in Israel.
Acote Ahdaiyah singing at a wedding in 2011. (Andrew Esensten)

Asian Synagogue president leads community during turbulent time

Andy Cheng is first non-white president of Congregation Beth Am in Northern California.
Andy Cheng with his wife, Abi, and their two sons. (Courtesy)

Ethiopian-Israeli sisters celebrate heritage through art

Tigist Yoseph Ron and Hirut Yoseph channel their trauma and creativity into drawings, paintings, photography, fashion design, and other media.
Hirut Yoseph, left, and Tigist Yoseph Ron (Courtesy)