The academy originated as an offshoot of Wentworth Arthur Matthew's Royal Order of Ethiopian Hebrews, founded in 1925.
The academy was established under the charter of the International Israelite Board of Rabbis in the New York City.
According to Rishon, Wentworth A. Matthew, Levi Ben Levy and others associated with the board never "belonged nor converted to any branch of Judaism", nor have any graduates of the academy with the exceptions of Capers Funnye and Eli Aronoff.
[2] In September, 2022, Eliyahu Elijah Collins was hired as an associate rabbi by Congregation Ahavas Sholom in Newark, New Jersey.
Robert Azriel Devine, another Hebrew Israelite, was also hired by Congregation Ahavas Sholom in the same year.