“Shared Struggles, Sacred Bonds: Exploring the Intertwined Legacies of Black and Jewish Communities”

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy, this lecture will delve into the profound and complex history of Black and Jewish relationships in the United States. Through the lens of shared struggles against oppression and a mutual commitment to justice and healing, we will explore the triumphs and tensions that have shaped this partnership. Together, we will celebrate the sacred bonds forged in pursuit of freedom while thoughtfully addressing the challenges that call us to deepen our understanding and solidarity.

The Reverend Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr., leads the Abundant Joy Community Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. He brings over four decades of service in the ordained ministry. Beyond the pulpit, he is – a psychoanalyst, group psychotherapist, and esteemed clinical fellow in the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists. Ashely maintains a private practice in psychoanalysis in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. His influence extends to academia, where he contributes as a board member of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School and as a retired Professor of Pastoral Theology at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Dr. Ashley made history as the first African American Dean of NBTS. He imparts his wisdom in mental health circles at Rutgers University, the Blanton Peale Institute, and the NYU Silver School of Social Work DSW Program. He is an accomplished author of four books and a contributor to numerous books and articles. He is married to Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley, MD, MPH, FAAP, and human support to Serafina, their 13-pound Shih Tzu.