Art and Faith Bridging the Jewish and Black Communities: Stories of a Historic North Minneapolis House of Worship

The Twin Cities Houses of Worship Project (HOW) and its partners announce a two-day community-oriented opportunity to learn about and engage with the intertwining histories of the Jewish and Black communities in North Minneapolis. Learn about these marginalized communities through stories related to a landmark building that has served as the spiritual home of two congregations: the Jewish Tifereth B’Nai Jacob congregation that built the building and worshiped there until 1957, and the Holiness/Pentecostal First Church of God in Christ congregation that has worshiped in the building since purchasing it in 1957.

Schedule and Registration

All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are encouraged. This is a hybrid event; you can register to attend in person or via Zoom.

May 10 Schedule

4:00 – Photographic and Historical Exhibit formal opening

4:30 – Lecture by noted synagogue historian Dr. Samuel Gruber

“Between Two Worlds: The Synagogue Art of Eastern European Jews in Their New American Home,” an illustrated talk

5:30 – 7:00 – Reception

May 11 Schedule

9:00 – Symposium welcome and opening remarks

9:30 – Lecture by art historian Marilyn J. Chiat, Ph.D

“Jewish Immigrants on the Northside and Their African American Neighbors”

10:30 – Break

10:45 – Lecture by Bishop Lemeul F. Thuston of the Church of God in Christ

“The Minnesota Traveling Saints & Their Hebrew Home”

12:00 – Lunch. Box lunches will be provided

1:00 – Community roundtable on Jewish and Black life in North Minneapolis

3:00 – Tour of the First Church of God in Christ