32 | JANUARY 5 • 2023 

faces&places

Blacks and Jews have long had an 
important relationship throughout 
history — from the civil rights 
movement to present day. 
It’s that solidarity that makes 
the Coalition for Black and Jewish 
Unity’s holiday party all that more 
special. 
Blacks and Jews united to cele-
brate Christmas and Chanukah at 
the Pistons Performance Center. 
Songs were sung and dancing was 
abundant as the family-friendly 
atmosphere glistened with holiday 
cheer.
Erika Bocknek’s family was in 
attendance. She brought many 
friends to the event and said her 
time there was wonderful. 
“My family loved having a chance 

to celebrate with our friends — 
dancing the hora together was a 
wonderful highlight,
” Bocknek said. 
“I’m so glad we had the children 
there, too, to be a part of our shared 
joy.
”
A delicious spread of latkes, 
salads, sandwiches, soups and 
of course — sufganiyot — were 
enjoyed by attendees. 
The Coalition works tirelessly — 
now more than ever — to sustain 
the bond between the Black and 
Jewish communities. The celebra-
tion symbolized the relationships 
fostered before, and well past the 
holiday season. 

Sam Dubin is JCRC/AJC assistant director/

director of media relations.

Coalition for 
Black and 
Jewish Unity 
Hosts Annual 
Holiday 
Celebration

SAM DUBIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JCRC/AJC

Vonetta Sanders, 
Tia Marie Sanders, 
Taylor Banks, Camryn 
Banks, Nate Sanders, 
Erika Bocknek, Lielle 
Bocknek, Aliza Plotkin

The holiday party 
was held at the 
Pistons Performance 
Center.

JCRC/AJC president Phil 
Neuman and JCRC/AJC 
Secretary Carol Ogusky light 
the Chanukah candles.

