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Rabbi Capers Funnye, chief rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation and cousin of Michelle Obama, has died at age 74 from cancer.
Rabbi Capers C. Funnye Jr., the chief rabbi of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation on Chicago’s Southwest Side and a cousin of former First Lady Michelle Obama, died Monday from cancer at age 74, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that his death was announced by the Chicago congregation he had led since 1985.
Funnye was born in 1952 in Georgetown, S.C., and attended Howard University. He received a degree in Hebrew literature and a rabbinic ordination from the International Israelite Board of Rabbis. He also earned degrees in Jewish studies and human services administration from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago, according to the Sun-Times.
He began leading the synagogue in Marquette Park in 1985. Since 2015, he served as the chief rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis, a century-old, Torah-observant branch of Black Israelism. The Forward reported he had served as chief rabbi since 2016.
Funnye was the first Black rabbi on the Chicago Board of Rabbis, according to Rabbi Tamar Manasseh, a longtime congregant. He and Rabbi Baruch Yehudah became the first Israelite rabbis admitted to the New York Board of Rabbis.
Funnye was credited with serving as a bridge between mainstream, mostly white, Jews and the smaller community of Black Jewish congregations. He co-founded the Alliance of Black Jews in 1995 with Robin Washington and Michelle Stein-Evers Frankl.
He was known to many as “Obama’s rabbi” and attended Barack Obama’s first inauguration in January 2009. He attended eight White House Hanukkah celebrations during the Obamas’ time in office, according to the Sun-Times.
Funnye is survived by his wife, Mary Funnye, as well as four children and multiple grandchildren. A celebration of life is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation, 6601 S. Kedzie Ave.
Funnye’s death marks the loss of a prominent Black Jewish leader who worked for decades to gain recognition for Black Jews and Hebrew Israelites within the broader Jewish establishment. His congregation said his legacy of faith, service, and dedication will continue to inspire generations.
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