Summit Synagogues Will Host Q&A On Black-Jewish Relations

Summit NJ

07 January, 2021

2:18 PM

Description

SUMMIT, NJ — The strengths and strains in Black-Jewish relations will be explored in a live, virtual dramatic reading and a Q&A on Sunday, Jan. 17 as part of three Jewish congregations' observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 7:30 p.m. event will be co-hosted by Summit's three Jewish congregations. Excerpts from the play "Crossing the Broken Bridge," a work that examines stereotypes, racism and anti-Semitism, will be performed by actors Jordana Oberman (Grey's Anatomy, Hand of God) and Eric B. Anthony (The Lion King, Hairspray), directed by Karen Sommers Cooper. The three will be joined by Rev. Vernon Williams of Fountain Baptist Church and Rabbi Hannah Orden of Congregation Beth Hatikvah (CBH) for questions and discussion after the reading. Co-hosts CBH, Temple Sinai and Congregation Ohr Shalom invite community participation in this virtual event, which will take place on Zoom. "Now more than ever, after all that happened in 2020 — the police killing of George Floyd, the wrenching response of the Black Lives Matter protests, and so much more — we must be willing to have open, difficult conversations about racism and anti-Semitism," said Cooper, who is also a member of CBH. "We chose Crossing the Broken Bridge because that's exactly what it's about, and it doesn't pull any punches. These kinds of tough conversations are what's going to make it possible for our communities to be strong, effective allies going forward." Anthony made his Broadway debut in The Lion King, went on to the Broadway casts of Hairspray and Mary Poppins, and did award-winning turns in Dreamgirls and The Wiz. Anthony got his start in Baltimore at the Arena Players Inc., the oldest African-American community theater in America. Oberman's credits on the New York stage include an award-winning turn in world premiere Avalon and South of Delancey at the George Street Playhouse. Her TV and film credits include Hand of God, Grey's Anatomy and Preening Swan. Oberman is a Meisner Faculty member at the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio in Los Angeles. To join the Zoom event on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m., go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9082738130?pwd=U1prQjFKb09rck9sbXhtRk1kb2FPZz09 and use meeting ID 908 273 8130, passcode NJ07901. About Congregation Beth Hatikvah CBH is a Reconstructionist synagogue in Summit, dedicated to making Judaism relevant to modern lives and to creating a sense of unity among a community representing diversity of race, ethnicity, belief, gender, sexual orientation and background. CBH welcomes all who would like to create a deep, meaningful connection to Judaism. Got news? Email [email protected]. To be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in Summit, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.