Sharon Osbourne among 170 stars backing Jewish-black alliance against hate

Black and Jewish leaders from the entertainment have decided to team up to fight anti-Black and anti-Jewish racism in the industry.

Household names such as TV personality Sharon Osbourne, actress Mayim Bialik, singer-songwriter Craig David, and KISS frontman Gene Simmons all helped launch the Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance (BJEA) this week.

Other signatories of a “unity statement” published in this week’s ‘Variety’ and ‘Billboard’ include Tiffany Haddish, Sherry Lansing, Herbie Hancock, Phil Rosenthal, Diane Warren, Jason Alexander, and 24kGoldn.

Actors such as Billy Porter, Mehki Phifer and Jeremy Piven signed up alongside producers such as Nick Cannon and Antoine Fuqua, and executives such as Aaron Bay-Schuck of Warner Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam of Motown Records, Ron Perry of Columbia Records, and Ben Silverman of Propagate Content.

The statement cited “the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr, Rabbi Abraham Heschel, and the many Blacks and Jews who stood together” in the fight for civil rights.

“The Black and Jewish communities, who have a long history of supporting and working together, are so much stronger when we stand together in the fight against hate,” said Bay-Schuck.

“This Alliance will elevate voices in the entertainment community that can help the public to better understand the causes, manifestations, and effects of racism and antisemitism, ensuring that our industry is doing its part to be a voice for hope, unity, and healing in our country.”

While many organisations combat antisemitism and racism individually, backers said the Alliance “creates a unified voice against both evils” and “will highlight the historical bonds of both communities”.

• The full list is here: https://blackjewishentalliance.com/website-launch/
• People can add their name here: https://blackjewishentalliance.com/#join