The Black Jew Dialogues, an opportunity to laugh and learn, is an entertaining and insightful look at race
and cultural relations in America.
The popular show, featured last summer during a segment on CNN, comes to Ferris State University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. in Williams Auditorium as part of Festival of the Arts.
Written and performed by actors Larry Jay Tish and Ron Jones, the Black Jew Dialogs takes audiences on a hysterical ride through three days the two spent together in a hotel room discussing experiences, the history of their people, and reasons for tension between African-Americans and Jews since the 1970s. The show has earned high praise from officials at college and university campuses, religious centers and other venues where it has been featured.
In the words of the actors, “Our great hope in writing the show was to use it as a catalyst to reunite our cultures. The black and Jewish communities in America share a history of pain, oppression, pride and a deep commitment to civil rights and justice. In the past several decades our communities have slowly drifted apart.”
The dialogs, confronting what Jones and Tish describe as the “absurdity of prejudice,” work to bridge the gap between the two communities.
David Pilgrim, Ferris’ vice president for Diversity and Inclusion, hopes event attendees begin thinking deeper about discrimination.
“The tension doesn’t just relate to African-Americans and Jews, but to everyone,” he said. “Audience members will benefit by learning how to overcome racism and stereotypes.”
This event, sponsored by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, is free and open to the public. For more information about the event coming to Ferris, contact the Diversity and Inclusion Office at (231) 591- 3946.