About News 'It’s Never Been Uncomplicated for Me:' a Black-Jewish Voice for Hope Jun 18, 2020 Rob Eshman 'It’s Never Been Uncomplicated for Me:' a Black-Jewish Voice for Hope There has long been a very stale debate in the Jewish community over how to partner with Black America for change. One side, let’s call them Farrakhan Jews, is leery of giving whole-hearted support to movements and activists whom they fear harbor anti-Semitic or anti-Israel views. The other side, let’s call them Heschel Jews, doesn’t ignore these misgivings but engages with Black leaders and movements in spite of them. I’m neither a Farrakhan Jew nor a Heschel Jew. I’ve never found either side very satisfying. I can’t willfully ignore when people attack the communities I care about. But I also can’t turn my back on the single most important struggle in American life, because my Jewish values are bound up in it. That’s why I was so relieved to find Ian Solomon. Shortly after the killing of George Floyd, I followed a Twitter link to an essay posted on Medium titled, “Today, again, I am overwhelmed by grief and rage.” The author was Solomon, dean of the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and – Twitter told me — both Black and Jewish. Read in Forward Ian H. Solomon Ian H. Solomon is dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, where he leads a multidisciplinary faculty in creating new knowledge and developing leaders who can solve humanity’s greatest policy challenges. Trained as a lawyer, Solomon is a devoted student and teacher of both negotiation and conflict resolution. Read full bio Related Content Ian H. Solomon Sesame Workshop President is 2022 Jefferson Medalist in Citizen Leadership News Sherrie Rollins Westin, president of Sesame Workshop and a 1980 graduate of UVA, has been named this year’s recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, an award selected by the Batten School. Pavilion X Exhibit Highlights Slavery History of Its Former Residents News “This exhibit is but a small token of my gratitude for the opportunity to give voice to the ghosts of yesterday,” wrote Ian Solomon, the pavilion’s current resident. Stay Up To Date with the Latest Batten News and Events Subscribe
Ian H. Solomon Ian H. Solomon is dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, where he leads a multidisciplinary faculty in creating new knowledge and developing leaders who can solve humanity’s greatest policy challenges. Trained as a lawyer, Solomon is a devoted student and teacher of both negotiation and conflict resolution. Read full bio
Sesame Workshop President is 2022 Jefferson Medalist in Citizen Leadership News Sherrie Rollins Westin, president of Sesame Workshop and a 1980 graduate of UVA, has been named this year’s recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, an award selected by the Batten School.
Pavilion X Exhibit Highlights Slavery History of Its Former Residents News “This exhibit is but a small token of my gratitude for the opportunity to give voice to the ghosts of yesterday,” wrote Ian Solomon, the pavilion’s current resident.