at first I thought the death yesterday of Whitney Houston had nothing to do with us here in Israel. Nothing more than the way it might have affected her fans anywhere, that is.

But it turns out it did have a specific connection to Israel

The Black Hebrews are mourning Whitney Houston's death.

From Breitbart:

Israel's Black Hebrew community is mourning the loss of Whitney Houston, who famously visited them in 2003.
Ben Ammi Ben-Israel, the leader of the 2,500-strong group of vegan polygamists, told Channel 2 TV Sunday that he considered Houston his "spiritual daughter."


In 2003, she visited the Black Hebrews in the desert town of Dimona. The group moved to the Holy Land from the U.S. decades ago. They believe they're descendants of a lost tribe of Israelites.


Houston was found dead Saturday in a Los Angeles hotel room. She had struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse.


Ben-Israel—a former Chicago bus driver—said Houston was a source of pride for his community. He said he recently invited her back to Israel "to help her overcome her problem."

It turns out that Ohad uses the choir of the Black Hebrews of Dimona for a lot of his background vocals. They sing on has latest album, along with performing with him at some of his "gigs".

I even know some of them from the softball league..

Here is a short clip of them singing with him at a bar mitzva.. you only see the Hebrews, not Ohad, and it is a short clip.. enjoy.