May 19, 2011: "20 Years After Crown Heights"

On May 19th, the 92nd street Y held a panel discussion, “20 Years After Crown Heights: Black, Jews and Jews of Color.” The panel included Russell Simmons, Rabbi Marc Schneier, City Council Member Letitia James, Rabbi Bob Kaplan, Shira Schmidt, and April Baskin.

Feburary 15, 2010: Conversation with Mayor Booker

Newark, NJ – February 10, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, members of the Newark Municipal Council, and The Newark Museum will host a conversation on the Black/Jewish Alliance with businessman, author and philanthropist Russell Simmons and prominent Jewish leader and author Rabbi Marc Schneier, on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at The Newark Museum, in celebration of Black History Month. The Newark Museum is located at 49 Washington Street

Janurary 16, 2011: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Every year the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in several Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in the New York Metropolitan area.

Washington Post On Faith Forum
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by embracing the American
Muslim community
By Russell Simmons and
Rabbi Marc Schneier

The Epoch Times: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream Resonates After Arizona Shooting

Rabbi Marc Schneier and Martin Luther King III

Youth Leadership

JUNE 10, 2011: ST. LOUIS

Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons hosted 31 African American and Jewish high school students from St. Louis during their visit to NYC.  They are members of a youth leadership development organization called Cultural Leadership, a not for profit that trains students to be change agents, social justice activists and community organizers.  The students engaged in conversation with Rabbi Schneier and Russell Simmons to discuss ways to dismantle racism, anti-Semitism, and bigotry in their communities.

On June 16th, 2005, Foundation President Rabbi Marc Schneier spoke to a group of students from the non-profit organization, Cultural Leadership. This program, founded by Karen Kalish, who had previously launched Operation Understanding, aims to combat discrimination between Black and Jewish communities by bringing young people from these communities together. Students listened as Rabbi Schneier spoke about the work of The Foundation addressing race relations and promoting public dialogue. He also answered questions about his book Shared Dreams (published by Jewish Lights), his relationship with Russell Simmons and the history of Black/ Jewish relations in America. "It was a pleasure meeting with these students and talking to them," said Rabbi Marc Schneier. "This is what The Foundation is about - promoting dialogue - and there is no better place to start than with our youth."

The students, ages 16 & 17, retraced the journey of the Civil Rights Movement during the summer, meeting with leaders from black and Jewish communities, visiting major civil rights landmarks in the south, Jewish memorials, and attending religious services at synagogues, mosques and Baptist churches.

As part of the program, The Foundation coordinated visits for the students with various Black and Jewish members of Congress when they visited Washington, D.C. Members who participated included Congressmen Henry Waxman, Alcee Hastings, Danny Davis, William Lacy Clay, Barney Frank and Mel Watt, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The students visited the following cities: New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Anniston, Montgomery, Tuskegee and Selma, Alabama; Philadelphia, PA; Jackson and Utica, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.