Black Hebrew Israelites (also called
Black Hebrews,
African Hebrew Israelites, and
Hebrew Israelites) are groups of African Americans, who
believe they are descendants of the ancient
Israelites. Black Hebrews adhere in varying degrees to the religious beliefs and practices of both
Christianity and
Judaism. They are not
recognized as Jews by the greater Jewish community. Many choose to identify as Hebrew Israelites or Black Hebrews rather than as Jews to indicate their claimed historic connections.