Capers Funnye facts for kids

Capers C. Funnye Jr. (born April 14, 1952) is an African-American Conservative rabbi. He leads the Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago, Illinois. This congregation has about 200 members.

Rabbi Funnye was born in Georgetown, South Carolina. His family later moved to Chicago. He became interested in Judaism while studying at Howard University. He has worked to connect different Jewish groups. This includes Black Hebrew Israelites and other mainstream Jewish communities.

Early Life and Learning

Capers Funnye Jr. was born in 1952 in Georgetown, South Carolina. His family came from the Geechee people of the Sea Islands. This group has kept many strong African traditions. His family moved to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. This was when many African Americans moved from the South to big cities.

He grew up on the South Side of Chicago. There, he spent time with his mother's family. This included Michelle Obama, who would later become the First Lady of the United States. She is his first cousin once removed. His mother, Verdelle Funnye, was the sister of Michelle Obama's grandfather.

Funnye was raised in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. This was the first independent Black church. At age 17, his minister suggested he become a clergyman. While in college, he explored other religions. He was influenced by the civil rights movement and ideas of black nationalism. He met Rabbi Robert Devine and joined his congregation.

Funnye later became interested in the teachings of Rabbi Levi Ben Levy. Levy was the chief rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis. This group started from the Commandment Keepers Congregation. It was founded in 1919 by Wentworth Arthur Matthew in Harlem. Funnye studied with Levy for five years. Levy ordained him as a rabbi in 1985.

To build connections with other Jewish groups, Funnye had a second conversion to Judaism in 1985. This was approved by a Conservative rabbinical court. He also studied Judaism more deeply in Chicago. He earned degrees in Jewish Studies and Human Service Administration. Funnye felt that Judaism's focus on constant learning was very freeing.

Family Life

Rabbi Funnye is married to Mary White from Chicago. Her brother, Frank White Jr., is a businessman. He helped with Barack Obama's first presidential campaign.

Rabbi Funnye's Career

In 1985, Funnye became the assistant rabbi at the Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation. This is one of the largest Black synagogues in the United States. Most of its members are African American. Rabbi Funnye is the first African-American member of the Chicago Board of Rabbis. He also serves on other Jewish community boards.

He has worked to connect with Black Jewish communities outside the United States. This includes the Beta Israel in Ethiopia. They are officially recognized as Jewish by Israeli authorities. He also connected with the Igbo Jews in Nigeria.

Rabbi Funnye's current congregation was founded in 1918. It was started by Rabbi Horace Hasan from Mumbai, India. Besides African Americans, the congregation includes Hispanic and white members. Most of the congregation has converted to Judaism. Like traditional Judaism, the congregation does not try to convert others.

The synagogue blends Conservative Judaism and Modern Orthodox styles. It also has unique African-American influences. For example, men and women sit separately, like in Orthodox synagogues. But a chorus sings spirituals with a drum beat. The congregation uses a synagogue building that was once used by an earlier Jewish group.

In 1995, Funnye helped start the National Conference of Black Jews. This group works to connect Black Jews and Black Hebrews across the country. They also build bridges to mainstream Jewish communities. Rabbi Funnye believes that being Jewish goes beyond race or background.

On April 2, 2009, Funnye spoke at a mainstream synagogue in New York for the first time. He called it his "Broadway debut." The synagogue had invited Black Jewish congregations to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. About a quarter of the audience were Black Jews. Funnye spoke about King and Barack Obama. The next day, he and his family joined the Obamas for the presidential inauguration events.

In October 2015, Funnye was chosen as the Chief Rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis. He officially started this role in August 2016. This board is made up of people who identify as Black Jews or Israelites.