Moment Magazine – To bring together Black and Jewish educators and leaders to create and implement educational content on the historical and present-day relationship between the two communities for adult and young adult learners.

What was the inspiration behind this initiative?

We launched Moment’s Wide River Project four years ago with civil rights strategist Eric K. Ward to explore the many currents of Black-Jewish history in the United States and to find ways to rebuild and create new partnerships today. With antisemitism and racism on the rise, we knew that people from different backgrounds were not talking to one other and often feared saying the wrong things. We wanted to provide a safe space for open and honest conversations. We take deep dives into the issues that both unite and divide our communities and try to transcend simple narratives. For this next phase, we believe we can accomplish more if we work with others from around the country who are also committed to supporting Black-Jewish relations.

Who are the participants you most hope to attract? 

We seek to convene a group of people who are already deeply invested in Black-Jewish relations—nonprofit leaders, educators, scholars, multi-creatives—and who come from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is to learn from one another and create meaningful resources that can be used in communities across the country to bring Blacks and Jews together in dialogue and shared experiences.

Is there a component of this project that you’re most excited to introduce?

Everyone has a story and storytelling is a powerful way of being vulnerable, opening minds and reaching people in unexpected ways. One component of our project will include interviewing participants and allowing space for them to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. We will compile these stories in a multimedia way so they can be shared with others in local communities and online.