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How the Jewish Museum brought Black film history to new audiences
It was 1970 and Black-Jewish relations weren’t at their best. Two years earlier, the Ocean-Brownsville teachers’ strike in Brooklyn had pitted Black and Jewish New Yorkers against one another. Distrust lingered between Black artists and museums after the controversial 1969 Met exhibit Harlem on My Mind showcased life and culture in Harlem, but excluded the work of Black Harlem natives. The Art Workers Coalition had just been founded, demanding better Black and Puerto Rican representation in museums, particularly MoMA.
Karl Katz, director of the Jewish Museum, was determined to find a way to connect the museum to its “African-American neighbors.” He noted in his memoir The Exhibitionist that, although Harlem “began only a dozen or so blocks north” of the museum, their exhibitions “generally had trouble drawing a diverse crowd.” When a friend told Katz about race films — films from the early 20th century made specifically for Black audiences usually starring all Black casts — Katz knew he wanted to show them at the museum.
In 1970, the film series The Black Film — a showing of 14 Black movies made between 1925 and 1965 — opened. Curated by an interracial team — Black film scholar Pearl Bowser, color-barrier breaking TV producer Charles Hobson, and psychologist and art exhibitor Mel Roman — the event was a collaboration between the museum and the Harlem Cultural Council. A number of publications, including the Black newspaper The New York Amsterdam News, covered it.
“It’s all about this community,” said Gillian Bowser, Pearl Bowser’s daughter and a professor of ecosystem science and sustainability at Colorado State University. “And a community saving and celebrating its history. And the Jewish Museum was part of that initial effort to recognize the importance of saving the everyday voice.”
Now, over 50 years later, excerpts from the films are back on display at the Jewish Museum.
Hidden Gems
The films in the series were collected by Bowser, a former cookbook author who became known as the Godmother of Black Independent Cinema for her work in film preservation and scholarship on Oscar Micheaux. Micheaux was a prolific race film producer and owner of the first Black-owned movie company, Lincoln Motion Picture Company.
The museum program included Micheaux’s 1925 film Body and Soul, starring Paul Robeson in his first film role. Historians also believe it’s the only film he ever worked on with a Black director. Robeson plays twins — one a conniving criminal and the other an innocent young man who has to deal with his brother’s misdeeds.
Another film is an early work by Melvin Van Peebles, director of the pioneering blaxploitation film Sweet Sweetback’s Bassdassss Song. His 1957 film in the Bowser collection, Sunlight, has some of the criminal elements of his most famous work, but is primarily a tender portrayal of young Black love.
The Negro Soldier, a 1944 production by the United States Department of War that celebrates Black soldiers’ valor during World War II.
“What a surprise the Nazis will get,” the narrator says as the troops march on. “Black, brown, yellow and white men from all Americans land on the airfield of Berlin.”
The 1970 series opened the year before Van Peebles released Sweet Sweetback’s and kicked off the blaxploitation movement, which often highlighted criminal lifestyles. The films Bowser showed offered a different form of Black representation. Lisa Collins, a documentarian and mentee of Bowser’s, noted that it “was so revolutionary at that time” to have films showing Black Americans as judges, scientists and working professionals.
Saving film history
Bowser preserved both American and international films, including movies from London and Senegal. Without her, it’s possible some of these films would have never seen the light of day. Her friend and collaborator Louis Massiah, a MacArthur awarded filmmaker and founder of the non-profit media center Scribe Video in Philadelphia, told me she knew where to find old reels or fragments of film strips at risk of being thrown out.
“She would go to movie theaters and she would chat up projectionists,” Massiah told me, noting that Pearl was “extraordinarily charming.”
He commented that “it was absolutely rare” for people in the general public to have films made by non-commercial Black filmmakers
“This is before the Internet. This is before the accessibility of films,” said Massiah. With money from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Bowser was able to take the race films on the road. “For a lot of folks, it was a revelation.”
When Gillian Bowser was a kid, she accompanied her mother to screenings at art house theaters and public libraries, often tasked with being the projectionist at the latter.
“The people hadn’t seen Black people in Westerns, they hadn’t seen all these films that were shot that were just forgotten for a long time,” she said.
The Jewish Museum was one of the first major institutions to showcase Bowser’s work and expanded the audience she was able to reach. She was later able to take the films around the country, including on a tour to various historically Black colleges and universities.
A revival of art — and issues of the past
For the new exhibit, filmmakers Lisa Collins, Mark Schwartzburt and Anthony Jamison cut the 14 films from the 1970 exhibit into short vignettes that are projected onto a large wall on the museum’s third floor and played on a loop. Collins and Schwartzburt, mentees of Bowser who had been working with her on an Oscar Micheaux documentary until her death in 2023, conceived of the new installation through conversations with New York Jewish Film Festival Director Aviva Weintraub. Collins told me Weintraub was integral in getting the museum to agree to the project, although with one complex stipulation: that each film be cut down to 30 seconds. The process took hours of editing, and a few times the three filmmakers tried to pitch Weintraub slightly longer cuts, but the final vignettes still capture the heart of the original films.
“At the end of the day, we always wanted to show enough of the film to keep you interested and to get you interested to see the larger version,” said Jamison.
On a smaller monitor, two short films play on rotation. One is an excerpt of a short documentary Collins and Schwartzburt made shot in 2021 when a 90-year-old Bowser returned to the Jewish Museum for the first time in 50 years and spoke to them about her memories of working there. Bowser passed away two years later. Another is a segment from a 1984 episode of Paper Tiger Television, a public access TV program based in New York. A young Bowser explains Micheaux’s legacy, crediting his genius and “chutzpah” for the strides he made in Black cinema.
Many of the films from the 1970 series are available for viewing in various places, such as Kino Lorber’s “Pioneers of African-American Cinema” collection, the Criterion Channel, and other streaming services. Bowser’s total collection includes over 500 films, which are stored at the Smithsonian institute, and are a testament to her dedication to making sure Black stories don’t disappear. For a long time, Black filmmakers struggled to have their achievements and contribution to American history recognized.
“As the Black community, we may be facing this again,” Gillian said, noting the recent removal of monuments to slavery at national parks. “Our job now is to make sure these stories get saved and retold.”
In an interview, Schwartzburt expressed a similar sentiment.
“The political environment we’re in right now, where there is so much erasure going on and backstepping — taking back civil rights — this couldn’t be more important,” he said.
The post How the Jewish Museum brought Black film history to new audiences appeared first on The Forward.
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Milei Reaffirms Unwavering Support for Israel Ahead of Independence Day Visit
Argentine President Javier Milei speaks at the 12th annual Algemeiner J100 Gala on March 9, 2026, in New York City.
Argentine President Javier Milei has once again voiced his unwavering support for Israel ahead of a diplomatic visit beginning this weekend, during which he will take part in Independence Day celebrations and light a ceremonial torch.
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Thursday, Milei offered unequivocal support for Israel amid its ongoing war with Iran, describing the Islamist regime in Tehran as “an enemy to the West.”
“I defend Israel and the Jewish people because it is a just cause,” the Argentine leader said. “Israel stands as the fortress of the West. Turning your back on it would mean turning your back on a legacy that has produced one of the greatest civilizational achievements in history.”
“Rejecting Israel’s legacy to humanity means destroying everything that has made Western civilization great,” he continued.
Milei also praised both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, calling them “exceptional leaders,” amid what he described as a fight for democracy, freedom, and the very foundations of modern civilization.
“Beyond the threat of developing nuclear capabilities, Iran exports and finances terrorism around the world. It is not only an enemy of Israel, but of the entire West,” the Argentine leader said. “If we fail to understand the danger posed by this theocratic regime, we are jeopardizing our very existence.”
He also criticized the international community for what he portrayed as a lack of support for Washington and Jerusalem during the conflict, warning that such hesitation reflects a broader failure to confront rising global threats.
“They are cowards who are afraid to confront them. If you want peace, you must be prepared for war,” he said. “If we fail to understand that and refuse to face those who seek to destroy our existence, we will ultimately become victims anyway.”
In his third diplomatic visit to the Jewish state, Milei will arrive on Sunday to take part in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations, scheduled to run from April 19 to 22.
He will become the first foreign head of state to light a torch as part of the official Independence Day ceremony.
During his trip, Milei will also receive a series of honors, including the Presidential Medal of Honor from Israeli President Isaac Herzog and an honorary doctorate, in recognition of what Israeli officials describe as his exceptional contribution to Israel and humanity.
“Milei has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel on the international stage, stood alongside the families of Gaza hostages, and expressed a deep connection to the Jewish people and its heritage,” the Israeli president said in a statement announcing the decision, calling Argentina a “key ally.”
The Argentine leader “represents bold leadership and has pursued a clear, unequivocal policy of standing with the State of Israel as an ardent Zionist,” he continued.
During his visit, Milei will also meet with Netanyahu, and some reports suggest discussions could advance his earlier pledge to move Argentina’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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Israeli Defense Chief Says Hezbollah Will Be Disarmed, Terror Group Vows Continued ‘Resistance’ as Truce Begins
Smoke rises following an airstrike in Lebanon, as seen from Israeli side of the border, April 11, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
As a newly agreed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, Israel’s defense minister warned on Friday that Hezbollah will ultimately be disarmed and Israeli forces will not withdraw from Lebanese territory, vowing the campaign will continue until the threat to Israel’s northern communities is fully eliminated.
During a press conference, Israel Katz said the military campaign had entered a temporary “freeze” phase under a 10-day ceasefire framework. However, he stressed that Israel’s operational objectives on the ground remain unfinished and the maneuver is far from complete.
“The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will continue to hold all positions it has cleared and taken inside Lebanon,” the Israeli defense chief said. “The ground operation and nationwide strikes against Hezbollah have achieved significant gains, but the mission is not yet complete.”
“Disarming Hezbollah — whether through military force or political pressure — was and remains the central objective of the campaign to which we are committed,” he continued. “Significant political leverage has now also been created, with the direct involvement of US President [Donald Trump] and increased pressure on the Lebanese government to advance that goal.”
Katz’s remarks came shortly after the Iran-back Lebanese terrorist group issued a defiant statement rejecting the ceasefire and any prospect of direct negotiations with Jerusalem, while vowing its forces would continue resisting Israeli troops.
“Our fighters will keep their hands on the trigger, preparing for the enemy’s betrayal and violation of its commitments. We will remain loyal to the alliance until our last breath, and our flag will not fall,” the statement read.
“The presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory gives Lebanon and the Lebanese people the right to resist,” it continued.
Meanwhile, residents across southern Lebanon, Beirut, and other parts of the country began making their way back home as the ceasefire took effect, with social media footage showing reconstruction work already underway on infrastructure damaged during the war.
However, Israel has warned Lebanese citizens against returning to their homes at this stage, with officials saying that Hezbollah could try to exploit the situation to reestablish its terrorist infrastructure under civilian cover.
“With the ceasefire agreement taking effect, the IDF will continue to hold its positions in southern Lebanon in light of Hezbollah’s terrorist activity,” Col. Avichai Edraei, the IDF spokesperson in Arabic, said in a statement.
“Until further notice, you are asked not to move south of the Litani River,” he continued. “If the fire resumes, those who return to the security zone will be forced to evacuate in order to allow the mission to be completed.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also signaled that Israel does not intend to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, saying the military is establishing what he described as a “thickened security zone” along the border area.
“That’s where we are – and we’re not leaving,” the Israeli leader said in a video statement issued on Thursday.
Netanyahu also said the opportunity for a ceasefire emerged only after what he described as a dramatic shift in Lebanon’s strategic balance of power since the start of the war.
He pointed to major blows to Hezbollah’s military capabilities, including the killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2024 and the subsequent destruction of large weapons stockpiles, saying these developments led to calls from Lebanese officials for direct peace talks for the first time in decades.
With negotiations now underway toward a longer-term arrangement, Netanyahu said Israel’s position rests on two core demands: the full disarmament of Hezbollah and a “sustainable” security-based peace framework.
For its part, Hezbollah insisted any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and adherence to a reciprocal “quiet for quiet”” arrangement — terms Israel has rejected.
Netanyahu also warned that Hezbollah, which openly seeks Israel’s destruction, still retains a significant rocket arsenal, saying neutralizing that threat will remain a central component of the ongoing security and political process.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, nearly half of the roughly 8,000 rockets fired by Hezbollah during the war were launched from the southern Litani River region — an area that, under previous agreements, was supposed to be fully demilitarized.
The newly agreed ceasefire, which took effect Thursday-Friday at midnight, establishes a fixed 10-day window intended “to allow for good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement.”
As part of direct mediation efforts from Washington, Trump invited Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to White House talks aimed at advancing a broader settlement framework.
According to the US Department of State, the Lebanese government pledged to take “significant steps” to prevent Hezbollah from launching further attacks against Israeli targets.
“Both countries recognize the challenge posed by armed groups that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty and threaten regional stability … The only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will be Lebanese government forces,” an official statement from the meeting said.
“Israel will retain its right to take all necessary measures for self-defense, at any time, against planned, immediate or sustained attacks,” it continued.
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Despite Winning New Jersey Special Election, Anti-Israel Candidate Underperforms in Heavily Jewish Town
Analilia Mejia, Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, speaks to guests after winning the election in Montclair, New Jersey, US, April 16, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
In Thursday night’s US congressional election in the 11th district of New Jersey, Jewish voters seemed to defect from the Democratic nominee in massive numbers, potentially foreshadowing a significant shift in Jewish voting patterns.
Analilia Mejia, a progressive activist known for her sharp condemnations of Israel, comfortably won the special congressional election in New Jersey in the deep-blue district by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.
Despite defeating her Republican opponent by 20 points, however, pundits pointed out that Mejia underperformed expectations and that Democrats hemorrhaged support among heavily Jewish communities.
In Livingston, New Jersey, a town with a significant Jewish population, Mejia barely eked out a 51-49 majority over Joe Hathaway, a staggering sea-change from recent elections. The deep-blue town voted for Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris by margins of 0.5 and 12 points, respectively. Taking into account party registration, the town has seen a shift to the political right by over 50 percent since 2024.
Though Mejia won Thursday’s race by a comfortable margin, experts pointed out that the progressive insurgent underperformed throughout the affluent suburban district. When taking into account party registration patterns, Mejia underperformed in Millburn by 23 points, North Caldwell by 10 points, South Orange by 7 points, and West Caldwell by 6 points, among others.
Spectators suggested that Mejia’s impressive margin of victory could be attributed to anti-Trump sentiment and massive turnout among Democrats and depressed turnout from Republicans.
Mejia’s positions on Israel, once considered fringe within the party, are increasingly becoming more mainstream, particularly in elections dominated by liberal voters. Her rhetoric on Israel, which critics say is one-sided and inflammatory, has drawn backlash from moderates and pro-Israel Democrats.
The outcome raises fresh questions about the party’s direction heading into national elections. While progressives see momentum, others worry candidates like Mejia could alienate Jewish and moderate voters while complicating efforts to maintain a broad electoral coalition. Her victory is likely to deepen internal party tensions, especially as debates over Israel grow more polarized and politically charged.
Mejia has said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to “genocide,” a position that put her well to the left of many mainstream Democrats. She has aligned herself with calls for stronger conditions, or outright opposition, to US military support for Israel, reflecting the broader progressive wing’s push to reassess the traditional US-Israel relationship. She has also aimed sharp criticism toward the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the preeminent pro-Israel lobbying group in the US, calling the organization “horrendous” and accusing it of dividing the Democratic Party.
A progressive organizer with a record of criticizing Israeli government actions, Mejia benefited from a coalition of younger voters, activists, and highly engaged ideological blocs. Her win is consistent with recent polling trends showing a generational divide within the party, with younger Democrats expressing more skepticism toward Israel than older cohorts.
Mejia’s struggles in heavily Jewish and moderate areas of the district could forecast a split between the Democratic Party and what has been historically one of its most reliable voting blocs.
Since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel launched the Gaza war, the Democratic Paty’s rhetoric toward Israel has become increasingly hostile. Progressive Democrats, such as Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), have accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.
This past week, approximately 80 percent of Democratic senators voted to halt military aid transfers to Israel, citing poor humanitarian conditions in Gaza and dismay over the US-Israeli war with Iran.