As Jews, we are deeply rooted in a history shaped by both oppression and liberation. (We all know the Jewish holiday meme: They tried to kill us! We survived! Let’s Eat!) That history naturally connects us to the stories of other communities who have fought, and continue to fight, for freedom and justice. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is celebrated annually on June 19 to mark the date in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The holiday is not only a pivotal moment in African American history, but a significant chapter in the broader American narrative of liberation and human dignity. Joining in the celebration of Juneteenth is a way for the Jewish community to honor our values of freedom, equality and the sacredness of every human life.
Earlier this year, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) established the Coalition for Jewish and African American Unity to strengthen the existing bonds between our communities. The Coalition brings together Jewish and African American volunteers, community activists, clergy and leaders like Assemblyman Rev. Reginald Atkins, forming a network dedicated to education, advocacy and service. As Rev. Atkins beautifully put it, the Coalition is “working not just in collaboration, but in covenant.”
Participating in Juneteenth celebrations alongside our African American allies is a meaningful way to live out that covenant. Last year, Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston and Congregation Beth El in South Orange hosted African American churches as part of JCRC’s Juneteenth Shabbat programming.
This year, our African American allies have invited our community to join them at their Juneteenth celebrations at both Kean University and Metropolitan Baptist. On Tuesday, June 24 at 9:30 a.m. we are invited to Kean University for a powerful Freedom Walk beginning at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sculpture next to the Human Rights Institute. This symbolic journey will honor the resilience and triumph of those who fought for liberation and will be followed by a moving Juneteenth Convocation featuring speakers, performances and moments of remembrance. RSVP here.
Then, on Sunday, June 29 at 9:15 a.m., gather with us at Metropolitan Baptist Church at 149 Springfield Ave in Newark for a joyous, spirit-filled Juneteenth service filled with music, reflection and hope, followed by a community lunch. RSVP to the June 29 service here.
By showing up, learning and celebrating together, we affirm that our shared commitment to justice is not just a memory of the past, but rather a living, growing promise for the future.