Intercommunity Programs
Exploring the Narrative is a relationship-building program, operating at middle school, high school, university, and professional levels that aims to foster creativity, discussion, and trust between Jewish learners of all ethnicities and non-Jewish majority Black learners. The program is grounded in texts (plays, poetry, literature, and historical essays) by acclaimed Black authors and Jewish authors as well as participants’ personal narratives. By lowering barriers to communication and by forging sustainable connections between individuals, ETN aims to create bonds that are essential to confronting antisemitism and racism. We see communities yearning for talented thinkers and leaders to help people of all ages forge positive partnerships across areas of difference. That is the essence of our work.
What People Are Saying
“Thank you for an amazing presentation. You opened up a new intellectual space that cultivated the kind of conversation I have been yearning to create in the classroom.”
— Dr. Terrence Johnson, Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies at Harvard Divinity School
“I was so pleased when Lonnie came to me about a program to create positive interactions and collaborations between communities. Because that is the important work that we do - building our own community and building bridges. The two workshops were excellent. They created a milieu where the children could express themselves and their culture while building connections. It was wonderful for our students and I hope we do it again.
— Ms. Tracey Schreier, Middle School Director at Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Brooklyn, NY
“It’s vital that school communities work together so that students learn the importance of culture from each other. Thank you, Exploring The Narrative, we appreciate you.”