The Unity Forum (TUF) was co-founded by Pastor Chris Harris and Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg with a singular purpose: to rebuild and strengthen relationships between leaders in the African American and Jewish communities. Rooted in a deep shared history and galvanized by recent events, TUF seeks to restore proximity, promote understanding, and combat both racism and antisemitism through intentional, courageous action.
For generations, African American and Jewish communities stood shoulder-to-shoulder as allies in the struggle for justice, civil rights, and human dignity. Over the decades, those bonds have quietly frayed. The painful aftermath of the terror attack in Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7—and more specifically the stark realizations of October 8, the impact here in America—illuminated just how fragile and distant the relationship had become. These moments reminded us that both communities know what it is to be “the other” and that the path forward requires shared truth, shared courage, and shared commitment.
This work is not easy—and that is precisely what drives our commitment. Healing is not a sign of weakness; it is the foundation for enduring strength.
The threats facing both African American and Jewish communities are profound, urgent, and increasingly intertwined. Neither community can—or should—face them alone.
Decades of drift have allowed misunderstandings, distance, and silence to grow. But the need for partnership has never been greater. Rebuilding alliances is not merely beneficial; it is essential for community protection, economic mobility, civic influence, and the defense of human dignity.
We both need each other and history has shown we are stronger together when trust and opportunity are aligned.
And the time to return to one another is now.
Since Summer 2025, The Unity Forum has undertaken foundational research and engagement to shape a strong, informed program strategy.
By January 15th, TUF will finalize its Program Design and Year 1 Business Plan, including:
This planning process will help inform our initial work as well as assist in deepening our impact in the years ahead.
We are meeting through structured gatherings because we believe repetition builds relationships, and relationships build resolve.
We acknowledge that today, there are headwinds to combat that will require determined effort beyond the episodic; We acknowledge that the work will require sustained dedication.
We are leveraging our collective networks to boost safety, access and business growth for both communities.
The Unity Forum brings together civic, religious, and business shepherds who understand that silence and distance are no longer options, particularly when there is urgency. By honoring a shared legacy of resilience and moral leadership, and by committing to new pathways of collaboration, TUF becomes the catalyst for healing, action, and long-term unity.
Ultimately, the success of The Unity Forum will be measured not only by those involved and programs delivered, but by a transformed sense of belonging between two communities whose past—and future—are deeply intertwined. Only then will action result in a better day, a safer day, a more prosperous day for our families.
