Bridging Shared Legacies Through Food, Storytelling and The Arts

At Playing Together Project, we're on a mission to center African American Jews and unite San Diego's African American and American Jewish communities because we are stronger together in fighting racism and antisemitism.

Playing Together Project accomplishes this through a common love of food, film, music and art

We are the only Jewish organization by and for African American Jews.

The Jewish American and African American communities have shared legacies of oppression, discrimination and a fight for justice, equality and self-determination. Jews of Color (JOC) are the center of this legacy and valued in leadership.

Our central activity is hosting African-Jewish Shabbat gatherings (dinner events) . Breaking bread together builds bridges. We follow the basic shabbat liturgy, with Kiddush, HaMotzi, davening (prayer), song and explanation about the meaning of Shabbat.

Sometimes we watch films such as the Mel Brooks/Richard Pryor collaboration “Blazing Saddles” and discuss it. At other times we have games and structured discussions. We created and host an annual Jewish solidarity tent at the annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Memorial Park in San Diego. 

African American/Black Jews are centered and given voice at Playing Together Project. Diversity is increasing in American Judaism (approx. 20%) and we all have the right to feel a deep sense of belonging. We are all one mispacha (family). Because we center JOC (Jews of Color), we also seek to assist JOC with travel to where People of Color are underrepresented and where JOC are traveling to gather for familial, educational and professional purposes.

We train and support the Jewish community and allies to build compassion, understanding and bridges between the African American and Jewish American communities.. When we educate through workshops and seminars, we provide an authentic approach to diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure inclusive spaces for all with Jewish and African heritage. As the Sage, Rabbi Hillel said,

So, we can't do it alone. We need your help to continue Playing Together Projects dinners, education (civil rights, antisemitism an American racism)  and community programming (Black-Jewish clergy gatherings, scholar-in-residence programs) . By partnering with us, you'll be part of something bigger than yourself—a movement for positive change and social impact.

Your donation will make a real difference. Whether it supports a dinner, a teacher training, a guest lecturer or the expenses of the mobile exhibit -  your contribution will have great impact in fighting antisemitism and racism.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Playing Together Project is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Good Fund, a California nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 46-1323531). All charitable donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  To support our work via a check, please make checks payable to Social Good Fund with "Playing Together Project" in the memo line.