Capers Funnye: key obituary facts
Is Capers Funnye dead? Yes. Capers Funnye died on November 2, 2026, at age 74.
Cause of death: Capers Funnye's cause of death was reported as Cancer.
What was Capers Funnye known for?
He was an American rabbi.
More about Capers Funnye
Born: 14 April 1952.
Place of birth: Chicago.
Gender: male.
Occupation: rabbi, religious leader.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Howard University, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.
Mother: Verdelle Funnye.
Also known as: Capers C. Funnye, Jr.
Capers Funnye, an African-American Conservative rabbi, died of cancer on November 2, 2026, aged 74.
Also known as Capers C. Funnye Jr., he served as Chief Rabbi of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis and led Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago.
The congregation had about 200 members, and Funnye’s leadership there was assisted by rabbis Avraham Ben Israel and Joshua V. Salter. Funnye’s religious education included studies at Howard University and the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. His work brought him into contact with communities across different Jewish traditions: he led efforts to coordinate with Black Hebrew Israelite groups as well as with mainline Judaism. That coordinating role accompanied his leadership of a congregation rooted in the Ethiopian Hebrew tradition and his position within the International Israelite Board of Rabbis. Funnye was born on April 14, 1952, and his career combined congregational leadership with efforts to foster connections between Black Hebrew Israelite communities and established Jewish institutions. He was identified as an American rabbi and religious leader, and his work was centered in Chicago, where he led the congregation.