Yom L’mokireem

By Yehuda H. Cohane
KNN Staff













Around the world this week, many are celebrating Yom L’mokireem (a day of appreciation). The festive season / day, being officially inaugurated in Jerusalem sunset 27 February 2008, will find family, loved ones, admirers and well-wishers alike exclaiming “Khag Samayahk” or “Yom L’mokireem Samayahk”, loosely translated from Hebrew to mean have a happy joyous day of appreciation.

All too often we as members of the human family take each other for granted. Never really taking time to convey our gratitude or display in the midst of one another a great attitude towards the creator for blessing us with wonderful family and friends.

That is why contained in the Hebrew root (Yud, Koof, Resh =Yakar) from which the word mokireem derives, the Hebrew thought causes us to glean understanding when we take a cursory glimpse at the subsequent definitions that grow out of that root:

From Yud, Koof, Resh = valuable, expensive, dear, costly, beloved, rare, scarce, precious, dignity, to respect, to honor, to appreciate, to elevate the price of.

We must take a moment this season to introspect and inquire of ourselves if any of these aforementioned definitions truly embellish our thoughts of our brothers and sisters in this great-extended human family of ours. For thoughts such as this are the seedbeds of a heavenly new world.

Yom L’mokireem Samayahk

African Hebrew Israelites

American black community finds spiritual home in the Negev
By John L. Jackson, Jr.
and Ahmadiel Ben Yehuda
MyJewishLearning.com

African Hebrew Israelites, often referred to as Black Hebrews, are the largest organized group of African-American expatriates living anywhere in the world. The African Hebrew Israelites are the followers of Ben Ammi Ben Israel, who they believe received a vision in 1966 in which he was directed to return African-American descendants of the ancient Israelites to the Promised land, and to establish the long-awaited Kingdom of God on earth.

By 1967, Ben Ammi convinced approximately 400 African-Americans (largely from Chicago) to leave, America (known as the "Lands of the Great Captivity"), and travel to Israel. The first group of "returnees" arrived in Israel in 1969, after a brief sojourn in the wilderness of Liberia.

The movement can be understood in the context of the "great awakening" to historical roots and cultural identity that African-Americans underwent in the 1960s. The Hebrew Israelites maintain their return was not just to their ancestral homeland of Israel (which they consider northeastern Africa), but to a way of life that would testify to the power of God.

While only approximately 3,000 saints (as they call themselves) reside in Israel, thousands live across the US, Caribbean, Europe and Africa and identify with the community, living according to their doctrinal tenets.

Members of the community are vegans. Tobacco, drugs, and alcoholic beverages aside from naturally fermented wines are avoided. Regular exercise (three times weekly) is mandatory for all adults, as is a monthly massage. No-salt days, sugarless weeks, and live food weeks dot their calendar. According to the community's belief system, the choice of relationships, clothing, and music all matter where health is concerned, and every effort is made to create an environment conducive to healing. This consciousness is woven into the lifestyle, resulting in an admired comprehensive health literacy. In 2006, Ghana's Ministry of Health summoned a team from Dimona to assist in the development of a health and nutrition program crucial to that West African country.

See Complete Article: African Hebrew Article

The Ramle Seven-Book Tour

The Ramle Seven Book is now on sale
KNN-DC

Their confidence and calm belied the fact that they carried on their shoulders the hopes and fears of a people. And while some had never been to a jail before they were not afraid. This was their time to prove God was with them and no matter what… they were up to the challenge.

The incredible, inspiring story of the Ramle 7 recounts one of those rare moments in history when the principled stand of a few encapsulates the longings of generations. It is a testimony of when courage and commitment to righteousness yields the fruit of its seed and becomes the platform for the re-birth of heroism in a resurrected people.



Book Tour featuring Prince Rahm Ben Yehuda-Tour Schedule



ATLANTA Sunday, February 24, 2008 @ 2:00pm
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant
879 Ralph Abernathy Blvd - Atlanta, GA
tel: 404-752-5194

WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE METRO Saturday, March 8, 2008 @ 2:00pm
Everlasting Life
9185 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD
tel: 202-797-8110


CHARLESTON, SC Sunday, March 23, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Soul Vegetarian Complex 3225-A Rivers Ave. -
North Charleston, SC

CHICAGO, IL Saturday, March 29, 2008 @ 2:00pm
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant
205 East 75th St., Chicago, IL
tel: 773-224-0104

TALLAHASSEE, FL Sunday, April 13, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Florida A & M University Tucker Hall, Room 200
3102 Martin Luther King Blvd. - Tallahassee, FL

Order a copy of your book today at: http://www.kingdomofyah.com/index.html

Airline in first biofuel flight

The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel has taken place
BBC News

A Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet has flown between London's Heathrow and Amsterdam using fuel derived from a mixture of Brazilian babassu nuts and coconuts.

Environmentalists have branded the flight a publicity stunt and claim biofuel cultivation is not sustainable.

Earlier this month, Airbus tested another alternative fuel - a synthetic mix of gas-to-liquid.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the flight marked a "vital breakthrough" for the entire airline industry.

"This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future," he said.

But he said fully commercial biofuel flights were likely to use feedstocks such as algae rather than the mix used on the passenger-less flight.

Virgin's Boeing 747 had one of its four engines connected to an independent biofuel tank that it said could provide 20% of the engine's power.

Special Holy Day Series - The Biblical High Holy Days

Special 3-Disc Set is now available
KNN Staff












Yah Khai!!!! Shalom Family. As you know the Holy Day season for 2008 is swiftly approaching.

To aid you in getting a more in depth understanding of these sacred Holy Days, KNN in conjunction with Yehuda Ha Cohen has produced an exhaustive teaching and study aid on the meaning of the Sacred Days.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your own personal set for his years Holy Days.

If you are interested in obtaining your 3-disc set please contact Ahtur Keymah at keymah777@aol.com for more details.


"Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which your Yah commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

That thou mightest fear thy Yah, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Yah of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our Yah, is one: And thou shalt love thy Yah with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

U.S. sees largest meat recall in history

The subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs
By Greg Risling
Associated Press Writer
Sbmitted by Laviyah E. Nahum-KNN

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a California slaughterhouse, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs.

Officials said it was the largest beef recall in the United States, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats.

"Today marks the largest beef recall in U.S. history, and it involves the national school lunch program and other federal food and nutrition programs," said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, chairman of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. "This begs the question: how much longer will we continue to test our luck with weak enforcement of federal food safety regulations?"

Everlasting Life on Fox 5-D.C.

Health Food Stores Reach Out to African Americans
KNN-DC

Tens of millions of Americans enjoy soul food, but it's packed with calories and fat that many blame for epidemic levels of diabetes and heart problems. Today, more African-Americans are seeking out healthier foods and the vegan movement in DC is changing the minds and appetites of many. Fox 5's Allison Seymour has details.

Click Here to See Fox 5's Live Video: Everlasting Life Fox 5

Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams Visits Everlasting Life D.C.

Mayor Williams holding a press conference at the Everlasting Life Annex where he emphasized his commitment to the businesses on Georgia Avenue in D.C.

Mayor Williams visiting the Everlasting Life Health Complex and Organic Market

Mayor Williams inside the Everlasting Life Juicebar and hot foods section speaking with the founder of Everlasting Life, Brother Baruch.

Erykah Badu finds kinship with Hebrew Israelites

She made a point of seeking out the Hebrew Israelites
By Lamia Lahoud
The Jerusalem Post

When R&B star Erykah Badu landed in Israel this month, she wasn't only interested in performing to promote her upcoming album, New Amerykah. She also made a point of seeking out the Hebrew Israelites (also known as the Black Hebrews), the Dimona-based group of African Americans who settled in Israel nearly 40 years ago.

"I know the community mostly for its art and culture… and of course its food, I eat at their restaurants," she said.

After meeting with several members of the Hebrew Israelite community for lunch at the Taste of Life restaurant in downtown Tel Aviv, Badu remarked, "they make you feel like taking off your shoes... it feels like home."

Badu, of course, isn't the only international star to have taken a special interest in the Hebrew Israelite community. Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Motown legend Kim Weston are among some of the other big names who have been drawn to visit and perform with the Dimona settlers. When asked why musicians like herself feel attracted to the community, Badu retorted, "You mean musicians of color? Well, we all come from the same source... we are all related.

"As musicians we already work for a higher source, whether we know it or not, and when musicians come to the Holy Land and find other African Americans doing the same, they feel connected. Their music comes from the same source - Africa and spirituals. There is something in the tones - the frequency of tones that brings you home - it's genetically encoded."

This year the Hebrew Israelites are celebrating the anniversary of their integration into Israeli society by building their first kibbutz, where they will grow organic vegetables to support their vegan diet and nurture the many musical talents in their community. Today they number 3,000, and are the largest African American community outside the US - praying to the God of Israel, sending their children to the Israeli army, and of course, creating soul music.

Badu was amazed to learn about the success of the community in Israel and was especially interested in meeting its musicians, who are known for their Songs of Deliverance, primarily aimed at praising "Yah", the God of Israel. For Badu, whose music stems from a similarly spiritual perspective, there was an immediate kinship. "I am the first soul artist in America to address music from a spiritual teacher perspective," she said. "I consider myself a student, but my music comes from a teacher's point of view."

Badu was also eager to philosophize, if somewhat cryptically, about the positive changes unfolding for African Americans around the world. "Change is coming, there is definitely something happening... it's something good. It's like we have paid our cosmic debt as a people, as if our chains are being shattered," she explained, leaning forward and shaking the many bracelets around her wrist.

"Americans have an election year coming up. Barack Obama, a man of color, is running for president. He came out of nowhere. And here in Israel, the Hebrew Israelite community have reached the biblically symbolic 40 year landmark… Astrologically we are moving into the age of Aquarius, which represents knowledge and we have just completed the year of Pisces, which represents belief. If you believe in something strongly enough, it will come to pass."

Her astrological beliefs hold true, she said, for the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. "We all need to take a united decision, and then make a plan and implement it. It may take a few generations, but then it too will come to pass."

After meeting with the Hebrew Israelites, Badu and members of her crew held hands and prayed together in Hebrew. "Later this year in Dimona," she promised, saying that she would definitely return for a visit to the community.

Badu's double album New Amerykah will be released in stages, the first disc coming out on February 26.

WWW.YAHKHAI.COM is now online!!!!!

Kingdom Videos and live content from Yahkai.com 24/7
Ahk Chashavyah Yisrael
KNN-Houston

Shalom family please visit www.yahkhai.com/ to view "The 45 Second Vision" by Ben Ammi.

www.yahkhai.com/ will introduce the world to Kingdom of Yah video's and live content from Dimona & Worldwide 24 hours a day 7 days of the week.

www.yahkhai.com/ will be coming soon to www.kingdomofyah.com . Todah!!!!

Enjoy!!!!

News Release: To Our Extended Family and Friends:

All members of the African Hebrew Israelite Community are safe and accounted for
Ministry of Information
Washington DC

Thank you for the many prayers, calls and letters of support in the wake of the recent suicide bombing attack in the city of Dimona, Israel. Please know that all members of the African Hebrew Israelite Community, the Village of Peace are safe and accounted for.

On Feb. 4, a suicide bomber entered the commercial center in the middle of town and detonated a belt of explosives. Another attacker was killed by security police on the scene before he could do the same. As a result, one person was killed in addition to the assailants and 10 were wounded. Our hearts go out to the families of those harmed. While some were in the area, none of the brothers and sisters from our community, were harmed in this, the first ever incident of its kind in Dimona’s 50 year-history.

Dimona remains home to a diverse population - Jews, Arabs, Moroccans, Indians, Russians, Ethiopians and more -- who have lived without violence over the years. With the Village of Peace at its center, Dimona will remain the beacon of hope and light to so many, around the world who long to see peace and sensitivity prevail in a troubled world.

Thank you

"Euros Accepted" signs pop up in New York City

The latest example that the U.S. dollar just ain't what it used to be
Reuters News Service

NEW YORK (Reuters) - In the latest example that the U.S. dollar just ain't what it used to be, some shops in New York City have begun accepting euros and other foreign currency as payment for merchandise.

"We had decided that money is money and we'll take it and just do the exchange whenever we can with our bank," Robert Chu, owner of East Village Wines, told Reuters television.

The increasingly weak U.S. dollar, once considered the king among currencies, has brought waves of European tourists to New York with money to burn and looking to take advantage of hugely favorable exchange rates.

"We didn't realize we would take so much in and there were that many people traveling or having euros to bring in. But some days, you'd be surprised at how many euros you get," Chu said.

"Now we have to get familiar with other currencies and the (British) pound and the Canadian dollars we take," he said.

While shops in many U.S. towns on the Canadian border have long accepted Canadian currency and some stores on the Texas-Mexico border take pesos, the acceptance of foreign money in Manhattan was unheard of until recently.

Not far from Chu's downtown wine emporium, Billy Leroy of Billy's Antiques & Props said the vast numbers of Europeans shopping in the neighborhood got him thinking, "My God, I should take euros in at the store."

Leroy doesn't even bother to exchange them.

"I'm happy if I take in 200 euros, because what I do is keep them," he said. "So when I go back to Paris, I don't have to go through the nightmare of going to an exchange place."

(Reporting by Angela Moore, writing by Bill Berkrot; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

The Large US Companies That May Disappear In 2008

Here are the big ones that probably won't make it
24/7 Wall St.

Firestone. American Motors. Texaco. Pan Am. Worldcom. At one point or another these large American companies were at the top of their industries. Pan Am was the leading global airline for decades. All are gone. Some were sold off. Others went bankrupt. Who could have predicted it?

There are several iconic US companies that may well not exist at the end of 2008. Some may not even make it halfway through the year. Not all will go out of business. Some may simply be auctioned off in pieces. Others may be bought. These companies will not exist in their current forms as they are known to their shareholders and consumers now.

When a company ceases to exist as an independent entity, it is not necessarily bad for shareholders. Some may be worth more in parts. Often a bust-up or merger is what brings owners the most money.

Here are the big ones that probably won't make it.

See who these companies are: http://www.247wallst.com/2008/01/the-large-us-co.html

KNN Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary

Thanks to everyone for 2 wonderful years
Ahtur Keymah B.N. Aharon
KNN-Cleveland

Greeting family and friends. We at KNN are blessed to announce that this month we will celebrate our 2nd year of reporting on breaking news around the world. It has been our divine honor in serving you and keeping you up to date on events occurring within all sectors of society and within the Hebrew Israelite Community. It is our prayer that our articles have been informative, enlightening, and thought provoking.

Within these past 2 years we have had over 30,000 people visit KNN and we are excited about reaching even more people in the years to come. It is our goal to continue to provide you with up to date news articles that will give you a broader understanding about the world that we all live.

Thank you again for all of your support and for plugging in to KNN. Peace and Blessings.

Fliers will have to pay to check a second bag

United on Monday became the first major U.S. carrier to impose a $25 fee each way on domestic passengers
By Marilyn Adams
USA Today News

Millions of passengers who like to pack heavily on trips soon will have to pay extra to check a second bag on United Airlines (UAUA).

Citing the extraordinary cost of jet fuel, United on Monday became the first major U.S. carrier to impose a $25 fee each way on domestic passengers who buy the cheapest tickets and check two suitcases. Checking a third bag will cost an additional $100 each way.

Until now, checking two bags on flights has been free on United, the USA's No. 2 airline, and every other major carrier.

But luggage is heavy, and extra weight requires more fuel to transport. In the October-December quarter, fuel cost United $1.4 billion, 26% more than a year earlier. Fuel is airlines' largest expense, eclipsing wages.

"The passenger who checks two bags should pay the extra cost of carrying two bags," said Robin Urbanski, spokeswoman for the Chicago-based carrier.

See: Fliers will have to pay to check a second bag

Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Diet Soda

People who drink diet have a 34 percent higher risk of heart disease and diabetes
AOL News

People who drink one diet soda a day have a 34 percent higher risk of factors leading to heart disease and diabetes than those who do not, a study finds. The report's co-author says it's unclear whether the jump is caused by chemicals in the drinks or a behavioral pattern common to diet soda lovers.

See: Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Diet Soda

The Earth Enters a New Epoch In History

Man's Impact On The Planet Brings About New Epoch In Earth's History
ScienceDaily

Geologists from the University of Portsmouth are proposing that humankind has so changed the earth that it has brought about an end to one epoch of earth’s history and marked the start of another. They believe that human dominance has so physically altered the earth that the Holocene epoch has ended and we have entered a new epoch - the Anthropocene.

Dr Andrew Gale of the University of Portsmouth and his colleagues on the Stratigraphy Commission of the Geological Society of London identified the major causes of human impact on the planet and discovered that the last 200 years had caused more impact then previously understood.

They examined phenomena such as changes in the patterns of sediment erosion and deposition, major disturbances to the carbon cycle and global temperature, ocean acidification and wholesale changes to the world’s plants and animals.

“Human activity has become the number one driver of most of the major changes in Earth's topography and climate, said Dr Gale. “You can’t have 6.5 billion people living on a planet the size of ours and exploiting every possible resource without creating huge changes in the physical, chemical and biological environment which will be reflected dramatically in our geological record of the planet.”

See: Man's Impact On The Planet Brings About New Epoch In Earth's History

One Great Sandwich: Soul Vegetarian East's BBQ Twist

Soul Vegetarian East, a well-known spot serving up plates of soul food seen through vegan lenses
Chicagoist.com

Soul Veg's owners, African Hebrew Israelites, may maintain a vegan diet for religious reasons, but the food itself draws a wide range of diners to 75th street. Everyone from local businessmen to families; from U of C students to North Side vegans can be found at the simple tables and chairs in the modesty-decorated restaurant for cheap plates of favorites like collard greens, carrot supreme salad and veggie gyros.

But don't let the promise of "vegan" food fool you into thinking this is necessarily diet food: if the delicious chicken nugget-esque "protein tidbits" are any indication, you might need to loosen up your belt if you're a regular visitor. But for vegetarians and vegans looking for a good guilty pleasure nosh, we'll see you at Soul Veg.

That said, a recent sojourn to the south side neighborhood of Chatham might have made us a mock meat convert. Soul Vegetarian East, a well-known spot serving up plates of soul food seen through vegan lenses. Although we sampled a few of the restaurant's varied sandwich offerings, the waitress's recommendation of BBQ Twist ended up being the big winner. The mock meat at Soul Veg is unlike any we've sampled elsewhere--even in the huge, riblet-like chunks that are served up on a simple bun and topped with lettuce, the pieces maintained a surprisingly fibrous texture. BBQ pork and chicken sandwiches were popular in this writer's house growing up, but slathered in Soul Veg's sweet and mild BBQ sauce, this incarnation retains a chewy, juicy quality that we'd venture to guess could even convert our meat-loving parents.

Soul Vegetarian East is located at 205 E 75th St.

Fingerprints are now being required for international travel

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it has begun collecting additional fingerprints from international visitors
Forbes.com

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it has begun collecting additional fingerprints from international visitors arriving at George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (Bush Intercontinental). The change is part of the department's upgrade from two- to 10-fingerprint collection to enhance security and facilitate legitimate travel by more accurately and efficiently establishing and verifying visitors' identities.

"Biometrics have revolutionized our ability to prevent dangerous people from entering the United States since 2004. Our upgrade to 10-fingerprint collection builds on our success, enabling us to focus more attention on stopping potential security risks," US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny said.

For more than four years, U.S. Department of State (DOS) consular officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have been collecting biometrics -- digital fingerprints and a photograph -- from all non-U.S. citizens between the ages of 14 and 79, with some exceptions, when they apply for visas or arrive at U.S. ports of entry.

Bush Intercontinental is the next port of entry to begin collecting 10 fingerprints from international visitors. Washington Dulles International Airport began 10-fingerprint collection on November 29, 2007. Thus far, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport have also begun 10- fingerprint collection. Five other airports will soon begin collecting additional fingerprints, including: San Francisco International Airport, Miami International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Orlando International Airport, and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The remaining airports, seaports and land border ports of entry will transition to collecting 10 fingerprints by the end of 2008. See: DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints From International Visitors at ...

Satellite is weeks away from hitting Earth

A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power & could hit the Earth in late February
CNN.COM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and propulsion and could hit the Earth in late February or March, government officials said Saturday.

A senior government official says lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.

The satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknown where on the planet it might come down, they said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret.

"Appropriate government agencies are monitoring the situation," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council. "Numerous satellites over the years have come out of orbit and fallen harmlessly. We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause.

He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time. A senior government official said that lawmakers and other nations are being kept apprised of the situation.

The largest uncontrolled re-entry by a NASA spacecraft was Skylab, the 78-ton abandoned space station that fell from orbit in 1979. Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia.

In 2000, NASA engineers successfully directed a safe de-orbit of the 17-ton Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, using rockets aboard the satellite to bring it down in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.

In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound science satellite smacked into the Earth's atmosphere and rained down over the Persian Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would plummet.