(Reviewed by JD Jung)
Edited by Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell, Sara Feldman, and Brett Ashley Kaplan, Black, Jewish, and Beautiful: Contemporary Blewish Voices is an eye-opening anthology exploring the experiences of people who identify as both Black and Jewish.
The contributors come from remarkably diverse backgrounds. One is an Ethiopian Jew, while others have white Jewish mothers and Black fathers. One converted to Judaism, while others didn’t discover their Jewish heritage until later in life. One contributor comes from Jamaica’s small Jewish community, and others identify as atheist Jews. I was particularly fascinated to learn about Abayudaya, a Jewish community in Uganda that dates back to 1919.
What struck me most was how differently people can identify, even when they share similar circumstances. There is no single way to be Black and Jewish, and each contributor offers a unique perspective on what that intersection means to them.
The essays also address difficult political and social questions. Some examine the political implications of their identities, while others grapple with the killing and displacement of Palestinians. Racism experienced by some contributors in Israel adds another layer of complexity to these discussions.
I honestly couldn’t choose a favorite essay or interview. Each offered something different, and I found the entire collection eye-opening. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about Jewish customs and traditions, and I wondered whether that would put me at a disadvantage. It didn’t. Instead, I came away having learned more about individual identity, cultural diversity, and the many ways people understand their place in the world.
Black, Jewish, and Beautiful: Contemporary Blewish Voices is a thoughtful, illuminating anthology that challenges assumptions and expands our understanding of identity and belonging. If you’re interested in personal stories and perspectives you may not have encountered before, this book is well worth reading.