A brief history of the beginnings
of the Modern Day Bnai Noach Movement
By Jack E. Saunders
In August of 1989, Vendyl Jones, the founder of the Institute of Judaic-Christian Research*, consulted with the primary leading figures among those who had begun to refer to themselves as B'nai Noach. He sent out a letter of appeal to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, leading rabbis, and Jewish scholars to recognize, to give aid, and to assist a fledging B'nai Noach Movement.
This appeal was first answered by Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, and, with his blessing, on April 28-30, 1990, the First International Conference of the Descendants of Noah, B'nai Noach, was held at the Tarrant County Convention Center Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.
There were several individuals who got involved in private meetings between the rabbis and representatives of the newborn B'nai Noach Movement. Several speakers addressed the group during the Conference. In this section, I will mention only two of those who were deeply involved in several days of private meetings prior to the conference: Rabbi Michael Katz and Rabbi Menachem Burstin. The success of the conference owes a lot to the hard work and brilliance of these two men.
Rabbi Burstin was sent from Jerusalem by the Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu as his special representative. Rabbi Burstin kept Rabbi Eliyahu informed of events before, during, and after the conference by sending daily updates on the various developments in Forth Worth.
Rabbi Michael Katz was a great help in the behind the scenes discussions that took place for about a week before the conference. His assistance with Rabbi Burstin, whose Hebrew was so much better than his English, was invaluable.
The last day of the conference finally came to an end. After many intense discussions between the rabbis and the Noahides, and among each group by itself, we received a letter of blessing and encouragement from Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, This letter, coming from no less a personage than the Chief Rabbi himself, provided the fledgling Noachide movement with instant recognition, internationally.
We have provided a copy of this letter, and the people's — the B'nai Noach — response to his letter. Other historical documents are also included for your personal viewing.
Associated Article: The Reappearance of God-Fearers in Our Time by James D. Tabor
Associated Article: Report on 1990 B'Nai Noach Conference by Rabbi Michael Katz
*now known as Vendyl Jones Research Institutes |
