Wentworth Arthur Matthew

Who was Wentworth Arthur Matthew?

Wentworth Arthur Matthew was the founder of the Commandment Keepers.

According to Matthew, he was born in Lagos, Nigeria, although others say he was born in St. Kitts. In his 1927 petition for naturalization, Matthew lists his place of birth as Spooner's Village, British West Indies. When he registered with Selective Service during World War II in 1942, he lists his place of birth as St. Christopher, British West Indies.

Matthew married his wife Florence, who was also from the British West Indies. This union produced at least four children, who were as follows:

Arthur

Florence, born March 25, 1920

Samuel E.

Joseph, born August 24, 1926

In 1919, Matthew founded the Commandment Keepers Congregation in Harlem. He was heavily influenced by the white Jews he met, and when he learned about the Beta Israel, he began to identify with them. Matthew trained rabbis, who set up synagogues throughout the United States and the Caribbean. When, interviewed, many of the older members of this community recall memories of their parents observing Jewish dietary laws, such as abstaining from pork or salting their meat.