Black-Jewish Dialogue and Understanding
African Americans and Jews have had a unique relationship in American society. There have been moments of conflict, but there is also a long tradition of collaboration in many domains of society, including the common pursuit of civil rights. The history of Jewish-Black relations reveals a great deal about how minority groups navigate the complex milieu of religious and racial politics in the United States. As these two groups continue to face the challenges of antisemitism and systemic racism, it is more vital than ever to advance understanding between these two communities and pursue dialogue to build bridges in facing challenges.
In February 2020, the Dialogue Institute partnered with the American Jewish Committee of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey to conduct a tour and dialogue facilitation at the historic Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Nearly 50 participants from AJC attended a worship service, engaged in dialogue with church members, and participated in a walking tour of sites in historic Philadelphia highlighting Black and Jewish history and it intersected in the colonial and early national periods.
This initial pilot led to an additional program to develop a Black-Jewish dialogue and understanding curriculum for high school students. With funding acquired with the help of AJC, Dialogue Institute facilitators conducted a three-day virtual program at Northeast High School in December 2020.
In the spring of 2023, DI staff participated in a three-session series to advance understanding and dialogue.
PART 1: Black-Jewish Relations in the Abolition Movement and the Origins of Levittown
PART 2: Black Jewish Relations during the Columbia Avenue Uprising and the Movement to Desegrate Girard College
PART 3: A History of Racial Violence and Commemoration Ceremony at the Coatesville Lynching Site
In 2022, the Dialogue Institute began a partnership with LaurEllen Productions, which is producing a docuseries called Bridging the Divide, which tells the story of African Americans and Jews working together. Donations intended for this film are 100% restricted and use the program code LAUPROD21, which must be included in the check memo line.
