Featured Stories
Jewish and Black studies scholars converge at unique Harvard conference
At a first-of-its-kind academic conference this month at Harvard University, Shaul Magid and Terrence L. Johnson sought to broaden the Black-Jewish conversation.
How Jessica Cohen became the go-to English translator of Israeli literature
Over the past 25 years, Cohen has translated more than 30 books and dozens of shorter works by some of the most renowned Israeli writers, including Amos Oz, Etgar Keret, Dorit Rabinyan, Ronit Matalon and Nir Baram.
From Rick Rubin to Doja Cat, Jews have helped shape the first 50 years of hip-hop
Over the last five decades, many Jewish rappers from different backgrounds and nationalities have left their mark on hip-hop culture. But the biggest contributions that Jews have made collectively to hip-hop may have been on the business side, as managers and record label executives.
Leila Steinberg, Tupac’s first manager, sees new docuseries as a chance to heal
“Tupac was a kid, and he needed a lot more guidance,” Steinberg said. “I was too young to understand what I know now. I wish that I could have had more influence, because I always stayed connected to him.”
A bestselling novel, a Holocaust-themed game, and accusations of ‘uncredited work’
Romero’s complaint raises questions about the nature of creative inspiration and the politics of acknowledgments in works of fiction. It also brings a real and potentially offensive game about the Holocaust — and one that was created by a non-Jew — into the spotlight.
Local Jewish activists are standing with Bay Area Indigenous people
A growing number of Bay Area Jews are engaging in activism around Indigenous rights, raising uncomfortable questions about their privilege in benefiting from colonialism and the genocide of Native Americans, as well as complicity in the erasure of Indigenous history.
‘Black people are actually Jew[s]’: The historical origins of Kanye West’s inflammatory comments
In 1892, an Oklahoma preacher born into slavery received a series of divine revelations that compelled him to launch a new church and, with it, a new religious movement in the United States: Black Israelism, better known as the Black Hebrew Israelite movement.
News about the African Hebrew Israelites
The Israeli army once excluded African Hebrew Israelites. Now one is an IDF social media star.
How did a young Hebrew woman become one of the public faces of the IDF? And what does it mean for her and her community?
Black Israelis mobilized for their country — as soldiers, volunteers and social media warriors
A group of Black Israelis in their 20s and early 30s have been vigorously defending Israel online — and in English — since its war with Hamas began on Oct. 7.
St. Louis bar mitzvah serves as a bridge between Jews and Hebrew Israelites
During his d’var Torah, on the theme of showing respect for others, he acknowledged Ben Ammi Ben Israel, the late spiritual leader of his community who was known as “Abba Gadol,” or “Great Father.”
‘I’m not just visiting’: More African Hebrew Israelites win fight against deportation, but larger struggle continues
The African Hebrew Israelites are a small community with little political power, yet their story is important because it reveals some of the challenges faced by non-Jewish minority groups in the Jewish state.
How many Hebrew Israelites are there, and how worried should Jews be?
‘Black people are actually Jew[s]’: The historical origins of Kanye West’s inflammatory comments
In 1892, an Oklahoma preacher born into slavery received a series of divine revelations that compelled him to launch a new church and, with it, a new religious movement in the United States: Black Israelism, better known as the Black Hebrew Israelite movement.
About Me
I’m an American freelance journalist → focusing on religion, race, and their intersection. Previously I was a staff writer at Haaretz based in Tel Aviv. I also edited Jewish&, a groundbreaking blog about Jews of color around the world. My work has been recognized by the American Jewish Press Association and the San Francisco Press Club.
I’m currently at work on a book about the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem →, a spiritual community of African American expatriates based in Dimona, Israel.
I have a BA from Harvard College in African and African American Studies and a MA from Tel Aviv University in Middle East and North African History. I live in Northern California with my wife and daughter.
Peace be upon you. שלום עליכם
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My purpose was to see essentials, only essentials, nothing but essentials, and to guard against hallucinations. Things are not what they seem anyway.
– Saul Bellow, Henderson the Rain King