Black-Jewish alliance isn’t nostalgia. We need it to defend democracy - opinion
As the Sacred Covenant we signed in Atlanta declared, 'The Black-Jewish covenant cannot be sustained by nostalgia alone. Sacred memory must become present responsibility.'
The Black-Jewish alliance has evolved far beyond a simple partnership between two distinct communities, becoming a lived reality for those who identify as both Black and Jewish. According to a recent attendee of the 2026 Atlanta Summit for Black Pastors and Rabbis, signing a Sacred Covenant to unite against antisemitism and racism, the importance of this alliance cannot be overstated.
Amidst rising antisemitism and discrimination, the significance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, David Saperstein, Heather Miller, and others joined in recognizing the weight carried by Black Jewish individuals, whose experiences highlight the complexity of navigating both Black and Jewish spaces.
The history of the Black-Jewish alliance dates back to the 1950s, when philanthropist and civil rights activist Kivie Kaplan gifted the Washington, D.C. building to the Reform Jewish movement, which would serve as a hub for the civil rights movement. This history includes significant contributions from Black Jews such as Charles McDew and Julius Lester during the civil rights movement, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, partly drafted in their conference room.
Today, the alliance continues to connect both communities through shared efforts in protecting voting rights, combating antisemitism and racism, expanding healthcare, reforming the criminal justice system, and safeguarding critical programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The Sacred Covenant signed in Atlanta declares that the Black-Jewish covenant cannot be sustained by nostalgia alone; rather, it requires present responsibility. As such, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, led by the director, actively works with Black-led organizations to ensure the safety and representation of their communities.
The importance of this alliance is further emphasized by the parallels between current crises and past struggles, such as the arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, reminiscent of the 1967 bombing of the same congregation over its rabbi's civil rights work.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
