Yahawah Elohaiam

If Yahawah (a.k.a. HashemYah; a.k.a. Ridgley Gordon) was writing this obituary himself he would, first and foremost, send up the praise, “HALLELUYAH.”
Yahawah Elohaiam was born to his beloved parents, Edwin and Eloise Gordon, in Saint Ann, Cottage District, Walkers Wood, in the Parrish of Saint Ann, Jamaica on October 23, 1944. They named him Ridgely George Gordon. Yahawah was the fifth born of 15 children. His siblings describe him as busy and hilarious, always telling jokes and doing pranks on his family. When he was 17, he went to Cabla Youth Camp where he acquired skills such as cooking and cleaning. He left Jamaica when he was 18 years old and headed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he first worked as a chef for the United States Army. He learned to speak Spanish fluently. From there he moved to Toronto, Canada where he attended culinary arts school. He eventually travelled to the United States for a visit and, by co-incidence, met up with a former supervisor of youth camp, who remembered his outstanding culinary skills, and gave him a job as a chef in New Jersey. He has worked in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, including the Four Seasons and Oscars at the Waldorf Astoria. All of his guest at the different dinner parties given by him and his wife applauded and relished the top notch cuisines and menus. He ended his commercial career as the Head Chef at Beth Israel Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. He continued to cater private affairs, something he really enjoyed, until he left New Jersey in 2023. Yahawah was very popular in NJ, often called upon to cater events for the mayor as well as other fundraising or social events.

Yahawah gave his life to The Most High around 1972 while he was living in New York City. At that time, for a ten-year period of submission, commitment, prayer, and study, he completely dedicated his life to YAH. During this time he realized his calling and recognized, through his personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, that he was part of one of the lost tribes of Israel. He was an Isrealite, a descendant of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Through his spiritual walk, in March 1983, he met a fellow Israelite, Janet Johnson (Emashah), at an Israelite church meeting. They married that same year on October 9th. Yahawah had four children: Nadra, Yahshem, Joey and Yahkimah. He was a devoted and loving father, who has left his children a legacy of faith, love, praise and devotion to The Most High. He loved his family and he loved his friends. Evangelism became a way of life for him.

Yahawah loved music, and was a talented writer and musician. He had a song for every situation and used his music to send up praise and honor to The Most High. His songs still bring joy, comfort and hope to those who hear them. He was a natural missionary and was always eager and available to teach and enlighten anyone on The Holy Word.

After fighting the good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith, Yahawah received the promise of rest and salvation, at home, with his family! He looked forward to that day with great anticipation of being absent of his physical body and present with His Heavenly Father. Leading up to this day he remained faithful and joyful with gladness in his heart.

He leaves to continue his legacy, and cherish his memory, his wife and partner, Janet Gordon; his six children: Nadra, Yahshem, Joseph, Yahkimah, Termaine and Felicia; his grandchildren: Romareo, Termia, Yahdah, Chokmah, Ahavah and Joyah; his siblings: Violet, Blondel, Milton, Iona, Tamar, Nigel and Nicholas; Nephews, Nieces, Grandnephews, Grandnieces, Cousins, and Friends, whom he loved very much. He was proceeded in physical death by His father, Edwin Gordon; his mother, Eloise Gordon, and siblings Frida, George, Consada, Elijah, Jennifer, Sonia and Carlene.

Most of all, Yahawah Elohaiaim is, and will always be, a faithful son of YAH who fulfilled his purpose on this earth. He will be remembered for spreading the name Yahashah, a.k.a Jesus, and for always encouraging everyone he met to send up the praise, “HALLELUYAH,” no matter the situation.

Praise YAH for a life well lived!