Part I: Can You Hear Me?
(2007) The history of conflict and coalition between Blacks and Jews in America.
Claire Schoen: Co-producer/director, sound recordist/editor
Corey Fischer: Co-Producer/director
A Traveling Jewish Theater: Executive Producer
Award: New York International Festival Silver.
Program Summary: Over the decades, the relationship between African Americans and Jewish Americans has been a push and pull of common interests and mutual recriminations. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s the Jewish concept of “Tikkun Olam” or Repairing the World was a driving force for young Jewish activists who went to the South to register Black voters. African Americans embraced these Jews as brothers and sisters from another oppressed group. But, with the rise of Black nationalism at home and increased turmoil in Israel, this hopeful period was followed by an angry break between the two groups, resulting in racism and anti-Semitism. “Can You Hear Me?” follows this saga and then looks at how these two groups have worked towards reconciliation through a rediscovery of their common humanity.
