Black–Jewish Community Gathering: Shared Stories. Shared Future.

March 12, 2026

Experience the power of storytelling and solidarity as we visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center.

Organized by Listen First and Shalom Alliance, this field trip brings members of the Black and Jewish communities together not only to honor our histories—but to actively shape the future of our community. Through shared learning, relationship-building, and meaningful dialogue, we move forward together.

Black–Jewish Reconciliation: (Re)Building the Bridge

February 26, 2026 National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center

Students from Wilberforce University & University of Dayton came together to reconnect two historic allies.

Featuring Avi Dresner and Godfrey Vincent, moderated by Jacques Kahindo, the program explores the shared Black–Jewish story—its promise, fractures, and future.

Listen First brings the universities and sponsors together, but the focus is students: building relationships, engaging in dialogue, and beginning to rebuild the bridge for the next generation.

Cohorts 1 & 2

We began our work with two pilot dialogue sessions that brought Black Christians and Jews together for an honest, face-to-face conversation. Led by Pastor Jerry Revish of Unity Temple Church and Rabbi Yoni of JewishColumbus, participants shared a meal, broke the bread, and discovered how much common ground they actually held.

What started with nerves quickly turned into connection. People opened up about values, beliefs, and life experiences—often with strangers from a different community.

Participants summed up the experience in just a few words:
“Enlightening” • “Bonding” • “Open” • “Non-judgmental” • “Understanding”

The Big Table

We  participated in The Big Table with a conversation titled “Equity or Equality: Let’s Talk About It.” As part of this citywide day of dialogue, participants gathered to unpack two concepts that are often confused but deeply consequential: equity, which many interpret as sameness, and equality, which centers on fairness.

What began as a discussion with a wide range of political and social viewpoints became something unexpected. Liberal and conservative voices—found genuine common ground. Through open conversation, the group arrived at a shared insight: true equity is achieved through fairness in merit, where individuals are supported in ways allowing them to meet the same standards, not bypass them.

A Fireside Chat

Sparks Flew, Emotions Rose, Hard Truths Surfaced

Our fireside chat with former Israel Defense Forces soldiers pushed participants into one of the most challenging conversations we have hosted. Antisemitism appeared in the discussion, frustrations were voiced openly, and deeply personal histories came to the surface.

Yet the relationships built through our cohorts held firm. Even in a tense room, people stayed at the table, listened, and worked to understand perspectives that were difficult to hear. The most outspoken participants—those who disagreed the most—asked for a follow-up conversation.

The result confirmed what we believe: Real Conversations - Real Differences