Rooted in History, Growing in Unity: A Renewed Black–Jewish Partnership in Houston
February 1, 2026 – By: Erica Robinson Winsor, Public Affairs Director
Reflecting on the history of the Black and Jewish communities in Houston, we recognize that while we each have our own unique stories and struggles, our experiences have long shaped who we are and how we show up for one another. We have worked together, lived alongside one another, fought for justice together, and stood up for each other in moments when it mattered most.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston honors Black History Month by celebrating those shared roots and embracing a renewed partnership that has continued to grow. We look forward to continuing a legacy built not just on proximity, but on purpose, solidarity, and the belief that our communities are stronger when we stand together.
What began last year as a shared meal between Black and Jewish college students has blossomed into a revitalized partnership that renews the deep bonds our communities forged decades ago. As we prepare for our second annual Unity Dinner during Black History Month, we have an opportunity to celebrate the roots we planted over the past year and to look ahead with hope to the future we are building together.
Following our inaugural Unity Dinner, our communities joined to observe a Passover Seder, commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, and celebrate Juneteenth. Each moment of learning and remembrance brought us closer. Yet it is the vision for what comes next that demonstrates how a series of programs has grown into a true and enduring friendship.
This month we will come together for two film screenings: one on the Texas Southern University (TSU) campus and another at a major Jewish community gathering. We will again share a Unity Dinner. And each program that began last spring will return this year, expanded and strengthened as momentum builds and more voices join the conversation.
Looking further ahead, we are proud that this fall a visiting artist will begin a residency at TSU, teaching a course and engaging deeply with both the Black and Jewish communities. This residency brought to Houston by the Jewish arts organization, BAMAH, and supported by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Local Impact Fund, represents more than a programmatic collaboration. It is a shared investment. Proof that what began as an exchange of events has grown into a genuine partnership rooted in mutual commitment.