The featured film, Shared Legacies, explores the rich history of Black-Jewish cooperation in America, highlighting the profound alliance that emerged during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It revisits how Jewish leaders stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists in the fight for racial equality and justice. Through historical footage and first-hand accounts, the documentary sheds light on pivotal moments in history while addressing the waning memory of this once-powerful partnership.

This meaningful screening in Broward County was born out of a brief yet impactful conversation at a Zahav conference in New York with Shonda Isom-Walkovitz of Challah and Soul in California. She envisioned a nationwide effort to screen the film during the same week, and we were able to make it happen in Broward County, Tampa—thanks to the efforts of Michele Norris of Connecting Cultures for Peace—and in California through Challah and Soul. However, our goal is to get this film shown across the country regardless of the time of year.

As I mentioned in the short clip above, we hope to bring Shared Legacies to young audiences across the country so they can learn about this crucial chapter in American history. If you’re interested in hosting a screening, please reach out to me, and I will help facilitate the connection.

A very special thank you to Dr. Shari Rogers, the director and one of the producers of this remarkable film.

Forums like this one, organized by We the Women of Broward, provide an invaluable opportunity to connect with like-minded women who share the same concerns.

I had the honor of participating in the "Nightmare" panel, where we each represented groups deeply impacted—not only by government cuts to vital programs but also by the growing climate of hate that is becoming disturbingly normalized. Sitting beside me was a transgender woman, whose powerful testimony reminded us of the escalating violence her community continues to face.

When asked about faith, I acknowledged that faith-based groups have played a significant role in shaping where we are today—both positively and negatively. While some have fueled division, history also reminds us that alliances led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel were instrumental in securing many of the rights we are now fighting to protect, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Faith, or more specifically religious institutions, can serve as a force for a more just and humane society—provided they uphold the core tenets of dignity, justice, and compassion.

I am deeply grateful to the organizers of this event for bringing us together. We need more gatherings like this—more voices, more action, more unity. Because if you want to be heard, you have to speak up.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Z’TL

My son has never been a fan of my trips to Israel, especially since the war that broke out on October 7, 2023. I had the audacity to go twice —more than the usual every other year although even that rhythm had been interrupted by the pandemic.

In 2024, I traveled to Israel, once in May and again in December. In December, I went with Moed Leadership which is part of the Jewish Federations of North America (“JFNA”). This was a trip of bonding with fellow Jews who also happen to be of color. I am sharing my thoughts to all Funders of such trips who ever doubt the necessity of such missions.

This trip reaffirmed my faith. There have been many days throughout 2024 wherein I questioned my role within the Jewish community. There is a lot of pain when you have one foot in the Black community and another in the Jewish community. October 7th seemed to rip wide open any and all misunderstandings, hostility and resentments that the two communities had toward one another. These two, powerful communities that are largely responsible for the implementation of civil rights began to bicker publicly, “like an old married couple” as Claybourne Carson wisely observed years ago. My belief that I could somehow serve as a “bridge” seemed naive.

The Moed Leadership Mission gave me the strength to pick up where I left off and to try again. To try to reason with hurt but good-meaning people who all desire the same thing: to make the world a better place for all. It is extremely difficult to describe in words how meaningful this mission was and is for Black, Latin, Asian, Indigenous North Americans, Sephardi, and Mizrachi and LBGTQI Jews to travel and learn together.

My love of Israel was also reaffirmed. The circumstances of a war, being and belonging to a devoted group of Jews from such diverse backgrounds was awe-inspiring. Largely because it was clear, despite how we may appear we undeniably possess the Jewish neshama.

To hold such a space, one must be committed, not to mention tireless to the core. The JFNA team of Nate Looney and Stacey Aviva Flint as led by Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein was and is integral to the success of this mission.

Their strength and faith is the glue that held and will continue to hold the much desired “container” for Jews like me.

I implore all Funders to continue to support this community in the spirit of creating true Belonging, not only with trips to Israel but also within our communities here at home.