Bound by history, Black and Jewish unity matters — now more than ever

The weight of history often sits heavily on the shoulders of those who inherit its lessons. For Black and Jewish communities in America, that weight is both a burden and a call to action. Each group carries a painful legacy of oppression, persecution, and struggle – one shaped by slavery and segregation, the other by pogroms and the Holocaust. Yet, in moments of clarity and courage, these communities have stood together, recognizing that their fights against hate are not separate but intertwined.

Today, however, that unity feels more fragile than ever. The news cycle is flooded with fresh examples of racism and antisemitism, and instead of building bridges, identity politics often deepen divides. Groups that should be natural allies are retreating into their own silos, rather than working together to combat the hatred that harms them both. This is a tragic loss, given the rich history of solidarity between Black and Jewish Americans.

Despite recent problems, particularly surrounding disagreements over Israel, there is an inspiring legacy of anti-racism cooperation to draw on. In 1965, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel famously marched alongside Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery. Jews were even active in the founding of the National Association for Colored People (NAACP). At the same time, there have been moments of tension – such as the 1968 New York City teachers’ strike and the 1991 Crown Heights riots. More recently, both communities have faced horrific acts of hatred: the 2015 Charleston church shooting, in which nine Black worshippers were murdered, and the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where eleven Jewish congregants were killed. These tragedies underscore a painful reality – racism and antisemitism are both on the rise, and the need for unity is more urgent than ever.

Nowhere is this divide more evident than on college campuses, which should be places of enlightenment and understanding but have instead become breeding grounds for division. The rise in hate incidents at universities is undeniable, and rather than fostering dialogue, many institutions have allowed tensions to fester. The solution, however, is clear: connection. The more Black and Jewish students learn about one another’s histories, struggles, and triumphs, the better equipped they are to stand together against bigotry in all its forms.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. links arms with other civil rights leaders as they begin the march to the state capitol in Montgomery from Selma, Alabama, on March 21, 1965. The demonstrators are marching for voter registration rights for blacks. Accompanying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (fourth from right), are on his left Ralph Bunche, undersecretary of the United Nations, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. (AP Photo)

Programs that bring students from different communities together can play a crucial role in breaking down barriers. By fostering meaningful discussions, engaging in shared experiences, and learning each other’s histories firsthand, such initiatives can transform passive awareness into active solidarity. One such initiative is the Two Museums Program: United We Stand, launched in March 2023 by New York’s Adelphi University in partnership with the International March of the Living. The program takes Black and Jewish students on a joint educational trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Experiences like these provide students with a unique opportunity to engage with history not as abstract lessons but as lived realities that continue to shape the present. Jewish students witness the brutality of slavery and segregation, while Black students confront the horrors of Auschwitz and Treblinka. This kind of immersive learning fosters difficult but necessary conversations about prejudice, resilience, and the moral imperative to act. It also highlights the historical intersections of both communities – such as the Nazi persecution of Black Germans and the influence of American eugenics on Nazi racial policies – underscoring the commonalities in their struggles against hate.

Beyond simply educating students, these programs encourage action. Participants return to their campuses equipped with the tools to address hate, build alliances, and foster productive dialogues. Some go on to engage in further cross-community activism, while others channel their learning into policy work or advocacy. Programs like these can and should be replicated, ensuring that more students have the chance to develop the understanding and skills needed to challenge bigotry in all its forms.

Congressman Ritchie Torres, a vocal advocate for cross-community solidarity, put it best: “Fighting racism should never be the sole responsibility of the Black community, just like fighting antisemitism should never be the sole responsibility of the Jewish community.” Initiatives that create opportunities for shared learning and cooperation embody this philosophy, forging bonds that transform shared pain into shared purpose.

The need for this kind of solidarity is greater than ever. Both communities have faced resurgences of the very hatred they have long fought against. The past is not so distant, and the lessons of history demand action in the present. In a time of rising hate, Black and Jewish students have an opportunity to stand together – not just as allies, but as partners in the fight for justice.