History was made on February 3, 2023, when Ahavas Sholom, an Ashkenazi synagogue located in Newark, New Jersey, hosted a program to bring Black and White Jews together. Eric Friedman, president of the congregation, said that he “wanted Black Jews to know that they are welcome at Ahavas Sholom and that he wanted to educate the Ashkenazic community about the existence and long history of Black Jews in the United States. Chief Rabbi Capers Funnye arrived from Chicago and was joined by Black rabbis representing congregations from New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. An exhibit showing the history of Black Jews in the United States will be on display until the end of Black History Month.
Video of the service and speeches can been seen below.
It was a lovely Shabbat.