www.atlantajewishtimes.com
LOCAL NEWS
A Store of Diversity
‘Moorish’ Jewish intern inspires ModernTribe event
By Logan C. Ritchie
[email protected]
I
JULY 31 ▪ 2015
n the shadows of Georgia State University and the Connector, Auburn
Avenue is a quiet street on a Tuesday
morning. As I walk into ModernTribe,
a fluffy pup named Sammy greets me
with shop owner Jennie Rivlin Roberts.
Minutes later enters 50-year-old Norvin Bey Israel, advocate and student of
Judaism, with a backpack full of books.
Israel’s face is soft and friendly.
We make small talk about his job at the
Marriott Marquis and the Sweet Auburn neighborhood in which he lives.
ModernTribe, a one-stop shop for all
things hip and Jewish, is in the center
of this historically black neighborhood.
Roberts’ online business experienced a boom during Thanksgivukkah
in fall 2013. She could no longer house
her staff and inventory in her Candler
Park home, and ModernTribe had its
first pop-up shop in Inman Park. After
a short stint back home, Roberts set up
the Sweet Auburn store a year ago.
The three of us settle in. Israel is
wearing tzitzit, an Ethiopian Lion of Judah pin on his black vest, a crisp white
shirt and black pants. Some would call
Israel black or African-American; he
prefers “Moorish,” meaning that his
people come from Africa and are descendants of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
Israel recalls first meeting Roberts.
AJT
6
Photo by Logan C. Ritchie
ModernTribe owner Jennie Rivlin Roberts and summer intern and
Sweet Auburn neighbor Norvin Bey Israel debate, discuss and read
about Judaism and lesser-known Jewish populations.
He was eating at Mangos Caribbean
Restaurant across the street from ModernTribe. He and his friend recognized
Hebrew on the sign. “I came into the
store and told Jennie, ‘I’m Jewish!’ ”
“It turned out he knows more Hebrew than I do,” Roberts said. “Norvin
comes (at Judaism) from a different
perspective. I don’t study gematria
(Jewish numerology), but he is very
passionate about it. I am learning a lot.
He has motivated me to read about the
diversity of Jewish people.”
Roberts hired Israel as a summer
intern. They debate, discuss and read
together about lesser-known Jewish
populations. This dialogue has led to an
event Roberts describes as righteous.
Roberts said the idea was sparked
by Israel’s dedication. “This is his passion. We don’t always agree. Norvin
says everybody’s Jewish, but I don’t
believe that’s true. It can’t be that all
people are Jewish.”
Such different perspectives could
draw an eclectic audience to ModernTribe’s exploration of Judaism and
race, “Twelve Tribes: Celebrating Jews
of All Colors,” on Sunday, Aug. 2, from
1 to 4 p.m.
“There is a lot to Judaism that people don’t know,” Roberts said. “There
are a lot of African-American, African
and dark-skinned people that have Jewish roots and don’t know it. If you’re