Show notes
In this compelling episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah speaks with Bishop Michael J. Fisher, a prominent Los Angeles faith leader and longtime advocate for Black–Jewish solidarity. The discussion explores Bishop Fisher’s personal journey, deeply influenced by his father, Reverend W. Jerome Fisher, a World War II medic who helped liberate Jews from the Dachau concentration camp. Jonah and Bishop Fisher dig deeply into the real actions Fisher is doing to build bonds and bridges between the black and Jewish communities, and their shared perspective on what advocacy truly means. Bishop Fisher reflects on building interfaith relationships with leaders such as Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, and on the shared spiritual foundations of Judaism and Christianity, including the meaning of Zion. The discussion also addresses rising antisemitism, the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks, and the responsibility of moral leadership in moments of crisis.The episode highlights initiatives like the Freedom Seder and the From Compton to Jerusalem trip, celebrating Israel’s diversity and the Ethiopian Jewish community, while offering a hopeful vision of unity grounded in building relationships, and discovering truth.TOPICS INCLUDE:Bishop Michael J. Fisher on growing up in Compton under the influence of his father, Reverend W. Jerome FisherHis church, The Greater Zion Church FamilyA firsthand family connection to the Holocaust through World War II liberation effortsThe spiritual and historical meaning of Zion in Black Christianity and JudaismBuilding Black–Jewish alliances with Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Rabbi Yoshi ZweibackThe examples of people like Van Jones, Amanda Berman, and Robert Stearns in interfaith bridge-buildingHow the Freedom Seder creates shared Jewish and Black communal spaceUnderstanding antisemitism vs. anti-Zionism after the October 7 Hamas attacksWhy Israel’s diversity challenges apartheid narrativesLessons from the From Compton to Jerusalem leadership trip to IsraelExperiencing the Sigd holiday with the Ethiopian Jewish community (Beyte Israel)Advocacy vs. performative allyship in Black and Jewish communitiesWhy Black–Jewish unity remains essential for social justice in AmericaMentioned In the Episode:Michael J Fisher InstagramJonah’s (shoes) JP x Air Maccabees (18% off with the code JP18)Greater Zion Church FamilyOrigins of Black History MonthFreedom Seder LA Brings Together Black, Jewish, and Black-Jewish Leaders for an Evening of Unity and LiberationCNN’s Van JonesRabbi Yoshi ZweibackExodus Over DinnerJerome Fisher World War II Gold Star Veteran from MarylandReverand Jerome Fisher Passes Away, Organized 1st Black Church in ComptonWhat Was Jim CrowMichael J. Fisher How One Compton Pastor’s Work is Changing Lives by Bridging Health & FaithThe Jewish Foundation of ChristianityWhen did Christianity and Judaism Separate?When Did Jesus Stop Being Jewish?Zion: God’s Precious PossessionDr. Maulana KarengaA Long History: American Jews and the NAACPThe Tulsa Race Massacre and Oklahoma’s Jews10 Great Moments of #BlackJewishUnityChallenging the myth of 'white, colonial' IsraelRabbi Stewart VogelDeath of George FloydPowerful Voices: A New Look at the Rabbi Who Marched with Martin Luther KingTiffany Haddish BJJP EpisodeThe 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King Jr. DayBondi Beach terrorists ‘acted alone’ in attack on Hanukkah event — Australian policeSuspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruinsWhat to know about the murder of Sarah Pilgrim and Aaron Lischinsky in Washington D.CStephen Wise TempleWise hosts Greater Zion Church for joint Shavuot and Pentecost celebrationWas Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?Peter and the Disciples Falling Asleep - Matthew 26:40The Old Testament Pentecost: Why Did Jesus Pour Out His Spirit on This Particular Day?Robert SternsBLM’s Support of Hamas Is Perfectly in Line With Its GoalsRediscovering the Lost Tribes and God’s Faithfulness: The Jewish Diaspora and AliyahIsrael’s Ethnic Diversity: Why the Population of the Jewish Nation is Far From MonolithicAmanda BermanBlack and Jewish people were allies once. Can they be again?Martin Luther King Jr. AssassinationRedlining of Jewish Neighborhoods to Make It Difficult to Get a MortgageJewish Americans: Identity, History, and Experience Fact SheetSeder2015 streams a digital PassoverWhat is the law of first mention?Black leaders journey from their hip-hop home to the Holy Land — and find common groundWhat Even IS Sigd? A Short ExplainerNick Cannon opens up about past antisemitic comments and his ‘growth moment’April PowersCalifornia schools inch closer to rescuing mental health funds slashed by TrumpGlobal Missions — Greater ZionSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:[email protected]://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt