I was curious, and so were 200 people who packed into the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd Street, Baltimore Md.21202.
The focus was on Michael W. Twitty, an African American, converted to Judaism, and was here to demonstrate and discuss how he blends his roots from the Deep South,(Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina), with those of his new found Jewish culture and faith. He cooked as he talked, and we ate what he cooked; for example Spring Rolls with Collard Greens, carrots and Pastrami.
Humus is known as the national food symbol of Israel, even though its origin is Arabic. In blending Kosher with Soul, he makes humus using black eyed peas (Southern black, from Africa), cider vinegar, cumin, sesame seeds, and fish pepper (from Baltimore, used by African Americans in fish and crab preparations).
This African Jewish connection goes back to King David’s son Solomon. “A black girl I am” Song of Solomon 1.verse 5.Solomon replies in verse 8, “if you do not know yourself, O, you most beautiful one among women”. What happened over the centuries? That Shula mite maiden was Ethiopian (Queen of Sheba) who bore Solomon a son. Some of that offspring followed the Jewish tradition. Twitty found that out in his travels. Then came Christianity. The Ethiopian eunuch was on his way to Jerusalem to worship, (Acts 8:27), when he got converted. Most Africans are either Christian or Muslim. Most African Americans are Christian.
Twitty is on a good journey. African Americans frequent “Corn Beef Row” in East Baltimore; they love Jewish food, the music, the fashion. That spiritual Kosher Soul? Not Yet.
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