Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada to honour the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history.
The month of February was chosen as a tribute to the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two important figures in the fight for civil rights. This page includes information and resources that can be used to educate and honor Black Canadians, including Black Jewish Canadians, throughout history.
Events
City of Brampton - Celebrate Black History Month event at City Hall
February 1, 2pm to 9pm EST
Race and Education – the Black Experience
February 10, 6pm to 9pm EST
Hamilton Black History Month Launch
January 30, 12pm to 2pm EST
Black History Month Celebration and Fundraiser with Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to Canada’s House of Commons.
February 11, 9am to 12pm EST
Black History Month Celebration and Fundraiser with Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to Canada’s House of Commons.
February 11, 9am to 12pm EST
Black History Month at Toronto Public Library
February 2023
Black, Japanese, and More Than the Sum of Our Parts: Misogynoir in Women’s Sport Media
February 1, 4pm to 5:30pm EST
Designing Black Spaces with Community Accountability
February 1, 6:30pm to 8pm EST
Resources
Videos:
Meet the co-founders of No Silence on Race
Sheba Birhanu, CIJA's Associate Director of Partnerships, spoke with Akilah Allan-Silverstein and Sara Yacobi-Harris, co-founders of No Silence on Race, about the complex challenges faced by Jews of colour and the critical importance of education and awareness in creating an inclusive anti-racist Jewish community that attracts and accepts all Jews of colour. They also spoke about the need to create curriculum that encourages mentorship and develops leadership and the importance of looking to the future, and not just the past, when developing programs for Black History Month.
Community Resources
The page features information and resources on key events and figures in Black Canadian and Black Jewish Canadian history, including profiles of prominent leaders, activists, and community members who have made significant contributions to Canadian society.
It also includes a list of events and activities that can be used to celebrate Black History Month, with a specific focus on highlighting the experiences and contributions of Black Canadians and Black Jewish Canadians.
Books
The Color of Love, Marra B. Gad
How Jews Became White Folks and What That Says About Race in America, Karen Brodkin
Once We Were Slaves: The Extraordinary Journey of a Multiracial Jewish Family
Caste, Isabella Wilkerson
Racial Contract - Charles W. Mills
Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein
The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race and American Identity - Dr. Eric L. Goldstein
What Would Martin Say, Clarence B. Jones
Black Power, Jewish Politics - Dr. Marc Dollinger
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem
Podcasts
Jews Talk Racial Justice Podcast
NPR’s Code Switch: Is it Time to say RIP to “POC”
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Hosted by Chevon and Hiba
Movies and Docu-Series
Shared Legacies
Little White Lie
Broken Bird
ABC, Soul of the Nation: The McGruder Family Lineage
The Disturbing History of the Suburbs
Past Webinars
An Evening of Deep Listening (June 2020)
Art and Artists on Being Black and Jewish (December 2, 2020)
How Should We Be "Talking About Race?" (July 13, 2020)
Supporting the Social Safety Net and Advancing Racial Equity (August 6, 2020)
Resource Guide from Supporting the Social Safety Net and Advancing Racial Equity
The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race and American Identity (Aug. 26, 2020)
Racial Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Jewish Community (JTS webinar) (2020)
Resources for Parents & Educators
Talking Race With Young Children
Black Oppression and Resistance
Social Identities and Systems of Oppression
Culturally Responsive Curriculum Scorecard
TAKE ACTION – EMPOWER A GENERATION
Jewish communities must make sure that people from various backgrounds can identify with the leadership in our organizations and communities. Amplify organizations led by and for Black Jews, Jews of colour, and the greater Jewish community.