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African-American Jews Celebrate New Torah

PHILADELPHIA (AP) A predominantly African-American synagogue in Philadelphia is celebrating its new Torah, the sacred scroll containing the Bible's first five books.

Temple Beth'El was formed more than 50 years ago by Louise Dailey, the daughter of a Baptist preacher, at a time when many blacks were rejecting Christianity as a slave religion. Dailey studied with a rabbi, but was not ordained by a recognized branch of Judaism.

Before her death in 2001, Dailey ordained her daughter, Debra Bowen, the current rabbi. She's been reaching out to the broader Jewish community. Her timing is good. American Jews have been showing a new willingness to build ties to African-American Jews.

The ceremony celebrating the new Torah was a mix of Hebrew readings and shouts of "Hallelujah!," a worship style more common in African-American churches.

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