Mission

Because of our shared history of experiencing and resisting oppression, we are Blacks, Jews, and marginalized communities working together to build community and advance racial justice, confront racism and antisemitism, and expand equal access and opportunity for all.

Vision

Through engaging our membership and combined/extended community, we will identify issues, events to support, promote and amplify. And provide leadership on issues of justice and equity in our effort to repair the world.

History

The San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition (formerly The San Francisco Black & Jewish Unity Coalition) was founded in 2016 to bring Black and Jewish clergy together to discuss concerns of the African American community of San Francisco and to seek satisfactory solutions to those concerns. The clergy decided to meet monthly and to invite congregants who are social activists to participate. Our meetings are highlighted by strong advocacy of certain positions and respectful discussions of counter positions, culminating in a decision to take a certain action or to support a particular legislative or administrative action.

Today

In 2024 the coalition’s name was updated to reflect all communities in the Bay Area. The San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition is forming a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) action arm in 2025. The 501(c)(3) will focus on hiring and training community members for civic engagement efforts, education, hosting events, creating economic opportunities, and highlighting political candidates' policies through a non-partisan lens. This arm aims to support and educate the public on key legislation and [may] contribute ideas and expertise to legislative efforts that impact our communities. The 501(c)(4) action arm will actively lobby to advance the aforementioned efforts and continue to dismantle systemic racism and inequality. Together, these entities will drive meaningful change and empower future advocates.

Our Values and Commitment

The San Francisco Bay Area Black & Jewish Unity Coalition stands firmly against war, hate, and injustice in all forms. We condemn acts of oppression wherever they occur and regardless of who commits them. No government, institution, or ideology is above accountability when human dignity and basic rights are violated.

Our coalition believes that injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. We oppose policies and actions by any regime, democratic or authoritarian, that harm people, deny human rights, or perpetuate violence and inequality.

We encourage members of the public to remain civically engaged by contacting their local, state, and federal representatives, including the White House, to advocate for policies that promote peace, justice, and human dignity.

While we stand in solidarity with those facing oppression across the globe, our primary focus is addressing systemic racism and structural inequities within the California Bay Area. Our work centers on advancing meaningful change through initiatives related to:

• Reparations and racial equity

• Arts, culture, and community expression

• Criminal justice and prison reform

• Community and economic development

• Civic engagement and democratic participation

• Health, environmental justice, and community well-being

We also collaborate with and refer individuals to trusted organizations whose work focuses on addressing international human rights issues and global injustices.

Through partnership, dialogue, and collective action, the Coalition is committed to building bridges across communities and advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for all.