The Montclair Jewish Community Relations Council and the Montclair NAACP will host a community forum later this month examining the historic relationship between Black and Jewish communities and addressing rising incidents of racism and antisemitism.
The event, titled “Rebuilding the Covenant: New Jersey’s Black and Jewish Relations in Today’s America,” is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. at the Annex building of Montclair Cooperative School, located at 65 Chestnut St. in Montclair.
The discussion will feature Reginald Atkins, a former state representative for New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District and founder and senior pastor of Zion Family Worship Center Church in Roselle, alongside Marc Katz, senior rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield.
According to organizers, the forum will focus on the shared history between Black and Jewish communities, rising racist and antisemitic activity nationwide, and possible local responses. The event is co-sponsored by the Montclair Civil Rights Commission.
“During this moment in our nation’s history, unity is not symbolic, it is necessary,” Diane Tyree-Anglin, president of the Montclair NAACP, said in a statement. Tyree-Anglin said both Black and Jewish communities have experienced generations of discrimination and violence and share a responsibility to confront injustice together.
Lani Sommer-Padilla, vice president of the Montclair Jewish Community Relations Council, said the event is intended to strengthen relationships between the communities at a time of increasing division and political extremism.
“At a time when antisemitism, racism, and political extremism are again being used to divide neighbors from one another, we believe it is essential that Jewish and Black communities stand together publicly and purposefully,” Sommer-Padilla said.
Organizers said the discussion will also reflect on the historic alliance between Black and Jewish leaders during the Civil Rights Movement, including support for the NAACP, Freedom Summer and the March on Washington, while exploring what solidarity looks like today.
Community Forum: Rebuilding the Covenant: New Jersey’s Black and Jewish Relations in Today’s America”
When: Wednesday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Where: Montclair Cooperative School Annex, 65 Chestnut Street (entrance on Forest).
The event is open to the public. Organizers asked attendees to RSVP online.
