Finding Connection and Acceptance Through Jazz | Black and Jewish America

Students will explore how jazz fostered the partnership between Jewish and Black Americans. In the early part of the 20th Century, music was more than entertainment; it was the bridge between Black and Jewish Americans. After being ostracized from society and enduring hardships such as antisemitism and systemic racism, these two groups forged a connection in a rhythm of music and the expression of freedom. In this resource, students will gain a better cultural understanding of how music helps people get through life’s hardships. This lesson also supports literacy, historical empathy, and critical analysis.