HEBREW ISRAELITES OUT OF AMERICA Segment 1 of 2 This is the story of the Hebrew Israelites with their leader Ben Ammi’s who left America to return to Israel, narrative by one of its leaders who regretfully announce that Ben Ammi Ben Israel [Ben = son of], the Anointed Spiritual Leader of the Hebrew Israelites, passed away on 27.12.2014 at the age of 75. It was Ben Ammi’s vision in 1966 that led to the exodus of nearly 400 souls the following year to Liberia, West Africa, where we would spend a two-and-one-half year “wilderness” period – shedding the many harmful habits that as an enslaved people, we had acquired. In 1969, we would continue our sojourn, making aliyah to Israel, where we would arrive to a short-lived welcome. For over two decades [20 years], we endured the lack of status, work permits, access to schooling, health care and the like and even the belligerency of various personalities and institutions which would severely test our resolve. Moves toward reconciliation in 1990 have led to our current place as a permanent fixture in Israeli landscape, and from that time we made great strides in education, organic agriculture, vegan food production and more. Ben Ammi’s immense love for the Land of Israel remained constant throughout his life – from his initial awakening to his Hebraic roots, through the controversial and sometimes contentious early days in Israel and subsequently the reconciliation which led to the current unity of purpose which we now enjoy. “The insight, commitment, patience and compassion he demonstrated was instrumental in leading us to forge a social model for humanity in which Yah might be pleased,” said Prince Immanuel Ben [son of] Yehuda, a member of the Holy Council. Ben Ammi’s profound intellect and leadership, expressed over the years in his writings and public speaking around the world, inspired the growth of the community. Today community members reside in several cities across Israel, with branches throughout the U.S., the Caribbean, Africa (including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa), and the U.K. In addition, countless adherents to the lifestyle and philosophies of the community – who may not be on the roster as members – seek advice and direction from our community’s institutions through social media. Under Ben Ammi’s leadership, the Hebrew Israelites have become renowned for their vibrant culture and boundless creativity. The holistic lifestyle of the community, coupled with high moral standards, was forged in keeping with our aim to fulfill the prophetic mandate of the Israelites to be “a light unto the nations”. Indeed, many of the ideas and standards which Ben Ammi introduced to the community and were thought to be unusual at the time – including veganism, weekly fasting and the limiting of salt and sugar consumption – are now recognized as genius and have been implemented globally. The community he founded has gained such popularity that an average of 500 visitors come to tour weekly the Village of Peace in Dimona, including political leaders from Israel, the U.S. and Africa. Other notables and celebrities drawn to Dimona include entertainers like Stevie Wonder, Kim Weston, the Neville Brothers, Ray Charles, Barry White and of course, Whitney Houston, who adopted Ben Ammi as her spiritual father. To be continued…
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:58:01 +0000
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