This weekend marked the 65th anniversary of the initial organizational meeting of United Israel World Union, held over the weekend of Dec 30, 1943-January 1, 1944, in Waterville, NY. Ironically, the Torah reading that weekend was VaYigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27), coupled with the Haftarah reading from Ezekiel 37:15-28. In this section of the Torah “Judah draws near to Joseph,” who was taken to be dead and forgotten, and the aging Jacob is told “Joseph yet lives!” The Rabbis, in coupling the reading from Ezekiel 37 with this Torah portion clearly wanted to signal a deeper symbolic historical cast to the Joseph story–namely that the “lost tribes’ of Joseph, that is, the “stick of Ephraim,” would emerge from their “valley of dry bones” and join with the “stick of Judah,” in inaugurating the Messianic era.
As it happens, January 3, 2009, this past Shabbath, was the occasion for the annual UIWU executive officers meeting in Charlotte, NC, held each January, and those present were quite aware of the correspondence both in dates (both Gregorian and Hebrew calendars), but also the same Torah/Prophets reading, precisely 65 years from that founding meeting.
United Israel World Union remains, to our knowledge, the oldest Jewish organization focused on the so-called “Lost Tribes,” and their past and future relationship with the Jewish people. In the very first issue of the United Israel Bulletin, Vol 1, Number 1, published in June, 1944, founder David Horowitz published an account of the founding of the organization that is worth reproducing here. UIWU, born 65 years ago this past weekend, was truly “birthed” in the critical days of WWII when the Allies were beginning to turn the tide with the Axis powers. Hitler’s armies had been defeated at Stalingrad and in Egypt in 1943 and D-Day and the invasion of Europe was on the horizon. Here is the 1944 account verbatim:
After many years of Biblical “journeyings” in connection with a United Israel, and after having gone “through the dark valley of human abuse,” YHVH inspirited David Howowitz, while in prayer and in supplication, to continue labors already commenced, namely, to stand with YHVH’s people Israel as their friend, teacher and intermediary, to the end that the scattered sheep of Israel may once again become reunited in true brotherhood and love via YHVH’s glorious and eternal Law.
Thus, following many strange and fantastic episodes occurring in these Biblical days in which we are now living, giving further testimony to the dynamic truth of the ever-functioning and eternal Word of YHVH, three brethren of the house of Joseph, namely, Clayton E. Burlingame, of Waterville. N.Y.; Huel L. Crockett, of New York City; and Robert Bruce, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., were inspirited, individually, to unite with their brother David of the House of Judah in New York City.As a result thereof, Providence so guided that several meetings were arranged and held in up-state New York, at Bethaleph, home of the Burlingames, during December 30 and 31, 1943, and January 1, 1944, in connection with the actual formation of the Body United Israel.At these meetings it was decided to hold a Founders’ Assembly on Saturday evening, February 5th, it being the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Shevat, 5704.
The following is an abridged record of that gathering:
By YHVH’s grace, David opened the meeting with words of welcome and explanation of the significance of the occasion—further stressing that the Israel gathering here at Bethaleph unites many loving souls in various parts of the country who would be with us in spirit and prayer but could not attend by reason of distance.Most of these brethren and sisters had communicated and their letters would be read to the assembly.David then spoke of the glorious spirit of unity and love existing among all who have unified themselves in UNITED ISRAEL, indicating further “how glorious indeed are the doings of YHVH God, Greater of heaven and earth,” who had thus blessed the birth of UNITED ISRAEL after more than two thousand years of lost identity amidst Baal worship. . .
Continuing the introductory remarks, David explained how YHVH, the God of Israel, the Rock of all Ages, has always worked through man and nations in the fulfillment of His glorious Plan. . .
The spirit reigning over Bethaleph through out the Assembly was serene and solemn, and all present were imbued with love and thanksgiving to our Father, YHVH the King of Israel, who alone doth wondrous things.
Then David spoke of the many communications which had been sent in by our beloved brethren and sisters in Israel from the far reaches of the land. . .
At the conclusion of the reading of correspondence, David spoke briefly on the proposed UNITED ISRAEL BULLETIN which would become the organ and medium through which scattered brethren and sisters in UNITED ISRAEL could know of each other’s activities in the different parts of the country. It would also serve as a guide to all true servants of YHVH in that it would constantly touch upon original Biblical facts and explain them. Moreover, the bulletin would touch upon current events as well, in connection with their Biblical significance.David indicated that as soon as funds permitted, he would commence with publication of the bulletin. . .
David then stated that on the basis of decisions concluded at the December 30-31, 1943, and January 1, 1944, meetings, he had contacted an attorney-at-law in New York City, and engaged him to assist in the incorporation proceedings, and that, on the further basis of the data furnished the attorney by David, he had worked out a tentative draft of a Certificate of Incorporation and a Constitution and By-laws. . . (which was filed with the Secretary of State, State of New York, April 17, 1944) declare:
I.That the original Bible is the word of YHVH the Father, the Creator, and is the only basis for our daily conduct and life which must be modeled basically in accordance with the laws of Moses as instituted at Mount Sinai.
II.That the Ten Tribes of Israel are still in existence; . . . a great number of whom live in the United States of America.
III.That said United States of America was originally conceived on the principles of the Bible, as is evidenced by the acts and writings of the Founding Fathers and that it has therefore been destined by YHVH the Father, the Creator, to play a leading part in world affairs.
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING
The First Annual Meeting of United Israel was held at Bethaleph, home of Clayton and Erminie Burlingame at Waterville, New York, on Saturday evening, April 8th, 1944, the 15th day of Nisan.The assembly coincided with the Passover.David stated that “it was glorious to note that at this gathering of United Israel, members of the house of Joseph had joined brethren in Judah for the commemoration of this great redemption festival.There are others in the far reaches of the land who are with us in spirit at this moment,” David continued. . . To them we must add scores of sons and daughters of Israel scattered all over this Zion-land.”
The Constitution and By-laws of United Israel as well as the Certificate of Incorporation were read by Brother Crockett and then unanimously approved and accepted.All officers were re-elected for another year.