How Jews are celebrating Juneteenth

The holiday will feature joint gatherings of Black and Jewish groups, and talks by Black Jews and others

Galveston residents celebrate Juneteenth, which originated in the Texas city. (Getty)

By Adam Kovac June 16, 2023

For the past two years, June 19 has been an official holiday in the United States, celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Known as Juneteenth, it marks the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued a declaration freeing the slaves of Texas.

Jewish institutions across the country have planned events to mark the day. Here are a few notable ones.

Friday, June 16

Washington Hebrew Congregation in D.C. will hold a Shabbat service with their Jews of Color group and other community partners. The service will include appetizers and drinks and dinner after services conclude. The synagogue also invites its members to take part in a Juneteenth Heritage festival the following Monday, which will be hosted with the Scotland AME Zion Church.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker will speak at New York City’s Temple Emanu-El Friday evening. The service will “observe 158 years of liberation and remember the suffering of previous generations who did not survive to experience it.”

Saturday, June 17

Chicago’s Jewish Council on Urban Affairs will host their sixth annual Juneteenth Havdala at KAM Isaiah-Israel Congregation at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Liberation: Can You Feel It?” The civic group intends to “celebrate our diverse identities with our community.”

Sunday, June 18

Fort Washington Collegiate College Church in New York City will host guest speaker Dr. Karen Greene of Fort Tryon Jewish synagogue to discuss her experience as a Black Jewish woman.

Monday, June 19

The Union for Reform Judaism and other Jewish community organizations are co-sponsoring the annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage event in Potomac, Maryland. Held at the Cabin John Village and Regional Park, the event will celebrate “the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County.”

Saturday, June 24

The Racial Justice Collaborative will host their Juneteenth Summit online. Organizers say the event will celebrate the alliance between Black and Jewish groups in social justice movements: “We aim to foster a sense of unity and common purpose, reframing our perspective to see ourselves not as independent entities but as allies against bigotry and injustice.” Tickets are free but donations are requested.

Adam Kovac is a staff reporter at the Forward, covering breaking news. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @AdamJKovac.

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