Social Responsibility

Juneteenth Learning and Dialogue: Black and Jewish America

Name: Juneteenth Learning and Dialogue: Black and Jewish America
Start: 2026-06-18T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-06-18T21:00:00-04:00
Location: Edlavitch DCJCC

Adults (18+)

Date : Thursday, Jun 18

Time : 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location : Edlavitch DCJCC
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC

Come together for an evening of learning, reflecting, and conversation as we view an episode of the documentary series Black and Jewish America, then hear from a panel about the experiences of Black Jews in the United States.

Join the EDCJCC, WETA, and the DC Jewish community for an evening of learning, reflection, and conversation. The program will begin with a screening of episode three of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s documentary series Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History. This powerful series traces the complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans — a history shaped by both solidarity and tension — while exploring the challenges and enduring promise of that connection.

Following the screening, hear from a panel of Jews of Color from the DMV region, including Rabbi Shais Rishon and Chess Jakobs, as they reflect on the series and discuss how it addresses and represents the experiences of Black Jews in the United States. Panelists will also explore the importance of strengthening interfaith partnerships in this moment and discuss the role community members can play in supporting local Jewish organizations of color already engaged in interfaith solidarity work.

Tickets are $15, with proceeds going directly toward supporting the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center and the cost of hosting community programming. The ticket fee is not in exchange for viewing any film content. This event includes drinks and light desserts (Kosher options available).

We want everyone who would like to join us to be able to participate, so please reach out to Mira Smith at msmith@edcjcc.org if the ticket cost presents a barrier.

This event is presented in partnership with the JCRC of Greater Washington and Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy.

About the Panel:

Sara Brenner is Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, where she oversees more than $400 million in philanthropic assets and works with individuals, families, and community partners to strengthen Jewish life and advance meaningful impact in Greater Washington and beyond. Through her leadership, the Foundation helps donors align their values and resources with opportunities to strengthen Jewish communities, address pressing societal challenges, and support lasting change. Ms. Brenner also cultivates philanthropic partnerships and communities of learning that accelerate impact across both Jewish and secular causes.

In addition to her role at the Foundation, Ms. Brenner serves as an executive coach, speaker, and writer on philanthropy, leadership, and social change, with a focus on wealth building, health equity, democracy, bridge-building across differences, and combating antisemitism. A dedicated community leader, Ms. Brenner has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Gesher Jewish Day School, the Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association, and the DC chapter of After-School All-Stars. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Georgetown University, she is an avid swimmer and Pilates enthusiast who enjoys traveling, writing poetry, and exploring different cultures.

Chess Jakobs is a Black and Jewish American writer and environmental social scientist whose debut play “The American Five”, commissioned and produced by Ford’s Theatre, won the Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play in 2026. In addition to being a Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commission playwright, Chess is a playwright in Theater J’s Expanding the Cannon Initiative. Chess’s literary work has been featured in Bechol Lashon’s Jewish& (Nice Jewish Non-Boys), Peace & Riot Magazine (Sum of Steps), and their creative work includes productions at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Olney Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, as well as on and off Broadway. Chess is on the Board of Advisors for DC Climate Week, on the voting committee of the DC Environmental Film Festival, and the founder of The Better Trace Project – an organization on a mission to improve men’s health through environmental stewardship and climate action.

Joshua Maxey is the Executive Director of Bet Mishpachah, Washington, DC’s LGBTQ+ synagogue. A passionate advocate for belonging and inclusion, Josh is dedicated to creating spaces where LGBTQ+ Jews, Jews of Color, and other historically marginalized members of the Jewish community can thrive. Josh serves on the boards of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, Washington Hebrew Congregation, and the The Forward Association, and is a member of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Community Leadership Council. Through his professional and volunteer leadership, he works to strengthen Jewish communal life, advance equity and belonging, and foster vibrant, connected communities.

Rabbi Shais Rishon, known by his pen name MaNishtana, is an Orthodox African-American rabbi, author, educator, and thought leader whose work sits at the intersection of faith, race, and Jewish identity. Blending sharp scholarship with cultural fluency, he challenges assumptions about what—and who—constitutes the Jewish experience. Rabbi Rishon is the author of Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi” a 2018 Jewish Book Council Awards finalist for Debut Fiction; The Souls of Black Jewish Folk released in February of 2026; and the upcoming B’Esh Sh’chorah/In Black Fire, the first Torah commentary written by an Eidot CHeMDaT”A Jew, and his essays, lectures, media appearances, and sermons have redefined conversations on inclusion and authenticity within contemporary Judaism. He is also the founder of Ohel Eidot Chemdata, the first modern-orthodox synagogue centering African American (Eidot CHeMDaT”A) Jews headquartered in our nation’s capital. Through his writing, storytelling, teaching, and lecturing Rabbi Rishon continues to expand the canvas of Jewish life, illuminating its diverse voices and sacred possibilities.