PBS to air four-part documentary series on blacks, Jews in America

PBS is set to air a new four-part documentary series written by “Finding Your Roots” host Henry Louis Gates Jr., which examines the relationship between black and Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history.

Titled “Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History,” the series premieres on Feb. 3 and is scheduled to run on consecutive Tuesdays through Feb. 24.

PBS described the project, which airs during Black History Month, as tracing a relationship “defined by solidarity and strained by division,” shaped by the forces of racism and antisemitism, and by civic and cultural cooperation, particularly during the civil-rights era.

“The black and Jewish communities found themselves swimming against parallel currents,” Gates said in the trailer for the first episode. “It wasn’t a perfect partnership but stood as proof that people could bridge deep divides.”

“When I was growing up, I only thought of race in terms of black and white,” Gates said. “It wasn’t until much later when I learned about antisemitism that I realized blacks and Jews face common enemies, but when we stand together, we are a formidable force.”

“But I don’t wanna romanticize the alliance because it wasn’t an untroubled relationship,” he added.

Gates will be hosting a virtual town hall discussion in advance of the premiere.

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