Discover the complex history of Black-Jewish relations in America, from moments of historic collaboration and solidarity to periods of tension and division.
Essential questions
- In what ways do Black and Jewish communities have a shared history and how do they relate to one another?
- What are moments of tensions between Black and Jewish communities and what caused them?
- How can Black and Jewish communities work together to create a better society for all?
Big ideas
- Shared Struggles, Mutual Support: Black and Jewish communities have historically faced discrimination, oppression, and systemic barriers, leading to moments of collaboration and mutual support.
- Cooperation and Conflict: Despite periods of cooperation, the relationship between Black and Jewish communities has also been marked by tensions, economic disparities, and misunderstandings.
- Toward Understanding and Unity: By acknowledging both historical grievances and commonalities, Black and Jewish communities can work toward greater understanding and unity.
PART 1
The Early History
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
PART 2
Cooperation and Conflict in the Early 20th Century
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
PART 3
The 1920s, 30s, and 40s
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
PART 4
Civil Rights Movement
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
PART 5
Post-Civil Rights/Crown Heights Riots
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
Part 6
Current Challenges and Opportunities
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
Summative activities & reflection
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
Review questions
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, minim molestie argumentum est at, pri legere torquatos instructior ex. Vis id odio atomorum oportere, quem modo fabellas sit at, dicat semper est ne. Apeirian detraxit pri eu. No solum accusam has. Ius ne harum mundi clita, eu pro tation audiam.
The history of Black-Jewish relations in the U.S. reflects both unity and division, with moments of collaboration demonstrating the power of solidarity in the face of injustice. While tensions have arisen, true progress comes from listening, understanding, and acknowledging both communities’ struggles and triumphs. At the same time, it is important to note that the “Black” and “Jewish” communities are not entirely separate. There are many Jews of color in the Jewish community. This video and accompanying resources explore the ebbs and flows of Black-Jewish relations and how fostering empathy and cooperation can be a force for unity rather than division.
How to use this guide
This guide is designed to enhance your students’ engagement with the video. You can pause at the suggested “Stop/Do/Discuss” points to explore key concepts through discussion and reflection questions provided for each section.
Alternatively, you may prefer to show the entire video without breaks and use the discussion questions and activities at the end of this guide (“Summative Activities & Reflection”) for a comprehensive post-viewing discussion.
Choose the approach that best fits your students and classroom setting, whether it’s real-time engagement, a deeper dive after the video, or the use of flipped classroom.
- Guided Practice: Developing Empathy
Freewriting is a creative exercise in which students write without stopping for a certain amount of time. Students should watch the following video and engage in a five-minute freewriting exercise. After the exercise is finished, open a class discussion by asking your students to share if they have ever experienced feeling alienated within their own group. - Comparing and Contrasting
Historically Black and Jewish Americans have both experienced degrees of discrimination and hate. A major goal of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations founded in 2019 is to unite these communities based on their commonalities. Create a Venn diagram to highlight the similarities and differences of Black and Jewish American experiences. Reflect upon your findings to determine ways that these communities can unite based on their similarities and overcome their differences. - Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?
Americans have used the term Melting Pot as a metaphor since the 1780s to describe the “melting together” of diverse cultures into one united American identity and culture. As more and more people immigrate, the harder it becomes to maintain a specific and unique American culture, hence the use of the term salad bowl to describe society instead. Ask your students to sit in a circle and discuss the following questions:- Do you think your country is a melting pot or a salad bowl?
- What experiences have you had with cultures other than your own? What did you learn? What did you enjoy? What made you uncomfortable?
- What value do you see in a common culture?
- What value do you see in a multicultural society?
- ELI Talks, What Makes This Jew Different Than All Other Jews? Race, Difference, and Safety in Jewish Spaces
- Kylie Unell, My mom is white and my dad is black. Don’t call me a ‘Jew of Color.’ – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- Meaningful People Podcast, Amare Stoudemire – From the NBA to Judaism
- Tablet, In Light of Rising Anti-Semitism, Rethinking Black-Jewish Relations
- My Jewish Learning, Black-Jewish Relations in America
- People of the Pod: Black-Jewish Congressional Caucus
- NBC News, For decades a dividing line, Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., sees new hope
- Rabbi Joachim Prinz Speech at the March on Washington