Abstract
While it is commonly known that the Jewish community was a major contributor to the United States Civil Rights Movement, much of the historiography focuses exclusively on the eventual fall of the Black/Jewish alliance. These gaps fail to encompass the unique nature of the Jewish activist experience, let alone their contributions in progressing African American equality. This project aims to provide insight into the nuances of Jewish involvement in the movement, as well as highlight how many Jews employed their religious traditions to inspire years of successful activism. Additionally, there is a call to action for public education to include Jewish activism in modern Civil Rights Movement curricula. By emphasizing the agency that young Jewish volunteers took in risking their lives to stand up against oppression, it reveals to students how seemingly ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary feats.
Recommended Citation
Harris, Ethan
(2026)
""What a Mensch Does is Fight for Justice:" Judaism, Activism, and Agency in the Civil Rights Movement,"
Proceedings of GREAT Day: Vol. 17, Article 7.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/proceedings-of-great-day/vol17/iss1/7