African-American Jews Feature, Original Broadcast Date: January 26, 2007 (Show #1022):

Yavilah McCoy is one of several thousand African-American Jews living in the U.S. today. Her grandmother became a member of the group known as the "Black Israelites," and her mother converted to Orthodox Judaism. Now McCoy is devoting her talent and energy to using Gospel music to try to overcome the prejudice she has experienced from other Jews. Menachem Daum looks at McCoy's efforts to raise awareness of the racial and ethnic diversity of America's Jewish community. "I don't think it's a simple thing to try to navigate both Jewish and Black identity," notes McCoy. "If all we get to be is white or black Jews, it creates a situation where people have to leave parts of their identity behind. They have to leave some core piece of themselves at the door, and it creates the conflict, the tension, the struggle to be Jewish."

Featured (in alphabetical order):

Adeena Fulcher, Mother of Yavilah McCoy
Yavilah McCoy
Jeanette Tate, Grandmother of Yavilah McCoy