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New Prospect and Old JCC. Reconciling a relationship.
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Reconciling a relationship • In the eighteenth century the vast majority of Jews and African Americans were forced migrants. Both minority groups faced a similar obstacle in America- unchecked discrimination. Similar struggles account for the reason why Blacks and Jews began to unite. They worked together on a wide range of levels. At times their commitments to each other involved formal and well planned organizations, while others were unplanned individual acts. Though some counterproductive have occurred in the relationship between Blacks and Jews, there are some strong alliances. New Prospect Baptist Church moving into the Old Jewish Community Center represents a rekindling between the two groups and a commitment to only move forward.
Blacks and jews in america • Although Blacks and Jews had a presence in the United States before the American Revolutionary War, they rarely came in contact with each other during this time. Most Blacks were enslaved in the South, while most Jews resided in Northern states. It was not until the Great Migration that both groups began to cohabitate. Soon they realized they shared similar experiences.
Burgeoning queen city • Starting in the late 1830s, the Queen City boasted major growth in population. Immigrants seeking to experience the success in Cincinnati accounted for much of the population growth. African Americans moved to Cincinnati as a part of the Great Migration, a movement where many uprooted from the South and settled in Northern cities in hopes of finding better opportunities. Jewish immigrants tended to move to Cincinnati from the East to find better employment opportunities and worship freely. Regardless of the motivation for moving, both groups would experience what it meant to be the minority in a largely Anglo-Saxon city.
African americans in america • Even after the 13th amendment, blacks faced major obstacles. Jim Crow laws and Segregation threatened the hope of complete and true citizenship in America. Even with limited resources, the black community made notable strides in financial autonomy and education. Among the many institutions that helped advance the black community was the church. Many of the leaders from the 19th century to the Civil Rights Movement received training and nurturing from the church. These leaders would begin to look for allies to help them in the fight for justice for black people and all other struggling minorities.
Jews in America • The first Jews arrived in America in 1654, fleeing from persecution in Brazil. A Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island actually issued a congratulatory address to George Washington a century later. This very warm letter expressed their gratitude to worship freely without facing persecution. This letter also symbolizes the fact that Jews that migrated to America were the first in the modern world to intermingle so freely. Later, the Jews would realize that although they did not face the same persecution they had in other countries, bigotry was still a major force in America. They aggressively addressed the disparities in their community and even linked with other minorities. They most notably partnered with Blacks, especially during the Modern Civil Rights Era. Many believed that by supporting minorities in the fight for equal rights, they were protecting their own.
Jews in Cincinnati • Cincinnati’s economic growth and potential in the eighteenth century made it very attractive to Jews. The city also played a major role in Jewry, seeing that from 1850- 1880, Cincinnati had the 3rd largest Reform Jewish community in the United States. Most of the Jews that came to Cincinnati came with a vision, and part of that vision involved being more civically involved with the outside community. Reform Rabbi Isaac M. Wise was a trailblazer in abolishing some of the seemingly archaic observations. • Though many Jews came to Cincinnati with few resources, the quickly established themselves. By 1850, Jews owned the majority of clothing stores in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, others sabotaged Jewish businesses whenever America experienced a recession or entered a taxing, international conflict.
African Americans in cincinnati • To many African Americans, Cincinnati was the city of refuge, Enslaved individuals crossed the River in hopes of gaining freedom and free persons looked to settle and establish themselves. Although the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 prohibited slavery, the Ohio Legislature passed the Black Laws, severely stifling any efforts and advancements. Much of Cincinnati’s African American population in the nineteenth century was transit because they were sometimes forced out. Over 1,000 African Americans left their homes in Bucktown when white mobs torched their houses. • Even through this difficulty, African Americanas began to establish a community. The church played an instrumental role in navigating Cincinnati and it’s fickle nature.
Two institutions addressing similar needs • In addition to meeting spiritual needs, both the Black church and the Jewish Community Center served as a refuge. Looking at the history of both shows that each institution supporting their members in many different ways- financially, socially, providing education and trade development and more. As time progressed, the needs of both blacks and Jews became more complex. Problems were more intricate than simply settling into a new place. The modern Black church and Jewish community center also worked to assure that their members could live the prosperous life they desired. The shared similarities between the Black church and Jewish Community Center provided another venue for them to come together.
Black church • Both the Black church and the Jewish Community have served as a refuge. Black churches were probably the most important institution in the community. Originally, it was one of the few places where enslaved blacks could convene. Even the Underground Railroad, a network of effective people, relied heavily on contributions from the church. The church would provide financial support, education and enriching activities, and a social outlet. The church groomed important leaders and helped blacks settle, even in the most hostile environments.
New prospect • In 1919 Deacon E.A. Bentley founded New Prospect Baptist Church. Though the organized worship just started with nine members, it would grow into a major institution and a resource for both the black community and Cincinnati. Less than 25 years later, the church purchased The Motion Picture Theater on Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine to accommodate their 300 plus members and expand their vision. In the 1960s, Pastor T.L. Lane led the church and the community in the civil rights movement. New Prospect played a critical role in ensuring voting rights for blacks, participating in nation-wide marches, and order peace during times of insurrection in the city. In 1990, Damon Lynch III was installed as the pastor of New Prospect. He has continued the legacy of providing spiritual leadership and guidance, as well as a beacon in the community.
The jcc movement Starting in 1917, the Jewish Community Center branched out of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. The goal of the JCC was to assist Jewish immigrants. It soon became the strongest and most reliable resource available for Jews seeing that it addressed a multitude of needs. Charles S. Levy, D.S.W asserted that the JCC was not effective if the people it served were not free from counter-therapeutic agents.
Modern jcccincy • The former Mayerson Jewish Community Center represented the modern JCC. When Jewish Community Centers originally opened, they were concerned with helping people settle in America and fighting Anti-Semitism. Their goals have since changed. While Anti-Semitism is certainly something that still needs to be monitored, Jewish Community Centers now have the opportunity to focus more on enriching lives. In the Modern JCC, Couples were married, children went to summer camp and made life-long friends, boys had bar mitzvahs, families attended social outings, and the elderly were taken care of. The former JCC allowed people to enjoy their life, now that they had some of the rights and liberties people in the past fought for.
Reaching the mark together • The phenomenon of African Americans moving into Jewish spaces occurred in Cincinnati too. Formerly Jewish neighborhoods like Roselawn, Avondale and North Avondale became increasingly black in the 1950s. From 1948 to 1958, the Jewish Community Relations Council reported that the Jewish population in South Avondale declined from 6,500 to 450. The people that occupied the land changed, and the people who occupied the religious places of worship changed as well. Starting in the 1950s, some black churches purchased Jewish synagogues. On Reading Road alone, two Jewish synagogues were transformed into predominately black, Baptist churches. • September 25, 1903 the Isaac M. Wise Center was opened to accommodate the sprawling Jewish population outside of downtown Cincinnati. This North Avondale satellite of the Temple on Plum Street was not only built for a place of worship, but also a place that would address the more complex needs of the Jewish community. Seventy years after the Center open, it is sold. By this time the landscape completely changed. North Avondale was almost exclusively African American and Jews moved further North. Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church has occupied the space since 1973. • In 1964 Southern Missionary Baptist Church occupied the Adath Israel or Lexington Avenue Synagogue. This transaction was unique in that both congregations occupied the synagogue for some time. Plans to demolish most of the West End forced the church to seek out a new home. • These two examples illustrate the working relationship between Blacks and Jews. • Black Zion
Looking to the future • The future for Black-Jewish relations is hopeful. New Prospect has committed to renewing a healthy relationship with Jews and acknowledging their efforts as well. Reverend Lynch has served as the Co-chairman of the Black Jewish Coalition. He brings his leadership from this organization to transitioning into New Prospects new home at the Old Jewish Community Center. • The Cincinnati Jewish Community Relations Council is another organization committed to fighting for civil rights and liberties for all people. Established in 1939 as a reaction to growing Nazism, the group expanded their mission to fighting all forms of racism and building allies.
Continuing dual legacies • The former Jewish Community Center served the community in many ways. It provided cultural, social, educational and recreational programs for the Jewish community and Cincinnati at large. • Moving into the former JCC, New Prospect plans to continue their legacy of servant-leadership, as well as acknowledging the service the Jews offered before them. Community oriented ministries such as Feed the 5000, God’s Provision Food Pantry and Health & Wellness will now have the room to reach and provide for even more people in the community. • The former JCC has passed the baton to New Prospect and New Prospect plans to continue the legacy of servant leadership.
reconciliation • Recovering the partnership between the Black and Jewish communities will be a major undertaking. It will involve a commitment to understanding and healing. Both communities must realize that fighting racism and Anti-Semitism together, ultimately leads to a victory in securing tolerance for all people in the future. We have a responsibility to move forward, while building two strong communities. As seen through their mission, New Prospect Baptist Church has committed to reconciling by building a healthy community one family at a time.
