On Wednesday, April 24, students from Yeshivah of Flatbush's 2-HR class and a class from Brooklyn College Academy, a primarily African American public school, had the unique opportunity of meeting and learning about each others' cultures and heritage. The trip was organized by NYC council members Jumaane Williams and David Greenfield, with the purpose of educating students about the atrocities that took place in both Jewish and African American history as well as current challenges and issues.
The first part of the day was spent at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan, where students from both schools were able to internalize the horrors of the Jews who went through the Holocaust. The final part of the day was spent in the African Burial Ground National Monument, where students learned about the suffering and injustice African American slaves experienced as well as the contribution they have made towards building up the city of New York. Flatbush students spoke about the Holocaust and answered general questions about Judaism that Brooklyn College Academy students asked, and in turn, we appreciated learning about aspects of African culture from the museum and Brooklyn College Academy participants, like learning traditional African songs and burial customs.
We ate lunch together at City Hall, where we met up with the councilmen and discussed discrimination and genocide. Students from both schools talked about their personal experiences facing stereotyping and discrimination, and we learned that Jews and African Americans share very similar problems in that area. All in all, it was a great experience to meet students from a different, non-Jewish school and to be able to talk with them about serious issues that affect us both as Jews and African Americans.
Thanks to council members Greenfield and Williams and especially to our amazing teacher Mr. Rothbort for this very unique trip! ~ Sarah Levy
See The Jewish Week article about this trip here.