Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History: A Panel Discussion featuring Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Professor Gates in a chair, looking at the camera

Date and Time

March 25, 2026
04:30PM - 06:00PM EDT
Poster

Join us for a panel discussion of Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, a four-part PBS series written and narrated by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., tracing the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans—defined by solidarity and strained by division. The series explores both the challenges and enduring promise of that alliance. It first aired on February 3 and is available to view on streaming platforms. Panelists include: 

  • Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University
  • Terrence L. Johnson, Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies, Professor of African and African American Studies (FAS), and Director of Religion and Public Life at HDS
  • Susannah Heschel, Joseph Engel Visiting Professor (FAS) and Visiting Professor in Jewish Studies (HDS)
  • Phil Bertelsen, Co-Executive Producer and Director of Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
  • Sara Wolitzky, Co-Executive Producer and Director of Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History  

Welcome remarks by Marla F. Frederick, Dean of Harvard Divinity School, John Lord O’Brian Professor of Divinity, Professor of Religion and Culture, and Professor of African and African American Studies (FAS) and Debra Adams Simmon, Editor-in-Chief of Special Editorial Projects at GBH.