Background

The African American Jewish Coalition was founded in the 1980’s out of the friendship of two East Orange merchants (Larry L. Linkov and Phil Lefton) and store patron Eddie Lewis. As their friendship grew, it did not matter that one of them was an African American and the others were Jewish Americans. They invited each other into one another’s houses of worship and into one another’s homes, came to understand their similarities and differences, and formed the AAJC.

Today the African American Jewish Coalition is a unique community resource. It is a non-religious, grass roots, unaffiliated and diverse organization which actively promotes, teaches and practices brotherhood among Jewish Americans and African Americans. Its community-wide educational programs espouse racial harmony and instill pride, acceptance and peace in those who attend. Through active involvement, members strive to dispel prejudices and highlight all that is good in our urban/suburban community, thereby strengthening African American and Jewish American ties. We celebrate our similarities and learn from one another about our differences.

Over the past 20+ years, the AAJC has fulfilled a role within the Essex and Union County New Jersey communities that no other group could provide. Uniquely positioned and structured, it has built an expertise and an extraordinary record of achievement in bringing people together across the boundaries of race, religion, ethnicity, geography and age.

Please read on to learn more about the AAJC, and why…

…we are more similar than different