“Jews and African-Americans share a unique relationship...

“Jews and African-Americans share a unique relationship in America,” said Rabbi Harvey J. Fields, chairman of the Interfaith Coalition to Heal Los Angeles. “Both communities struggle with prejudice and have been targeted by hate groups. Both have generated a leadership which has collaborated in the cause of liberation from oppression and for equality for all Americans.”

Fields is head rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where an exhibit, “Blacks & Jews: The American Experience,” is on view through Oct. 24.

The exhibit consists of photographs, blowups of newspaper clippings, family records, legal documents and memorabilia from 1654, when the first Jews arrived in the United States, to 1989, when the exhibit was created for display in universities, churches and synagogues in 16 U.S. cities.

Its organizers, the American Jewish Archives at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and the American Jewish Committee, have attempted to depict the historical relationship between the two ethnic groups realistically, rather than idealistically, said Lawrence Lowenthal, executive director of the American Jewish Committee’s New England region. “There is the sense of a shared journey down a long road that has its share of bumps and potholes,” he said.

On display are copies of two wills written by slave owners in Charleston, South Carolina, before the Civil War. One stipulates that the signatory’s grandchildren are to inherit her slaves; the other specifies that his are to be freed upon his death.

Also included are documents chronicling the sometimes tumultuous relationship between African-American leader Jesse Jackson and the Jewish community.

The thread of common cause runs through the exhibit. A telegram sent in 1943 from the NAACP Secretary Walter White to World Jewish Congress President Rabbi Stephen Wise expresses solidarity against Nazi atrocities in Europe and American anti-Semitism. Copies of FBI posters show photographs of three civil rights workers slain in 1964--one black, two Jewish. Various political cartoons depict African-Americans and Jews in sinister stereotypes. American Nazi Party literature vilifies both groups in sweeping statements.

Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk, president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, acknowledges that sometimes “in their own separate views of blacks and Jews as ‘the chosen’ for this task (of keeping the vision of freedom and equality alive in America), they have collided where they should have complemented, shouted in disarray when they should have spoken in unison.”

But, he said, they have also “held hands, marched together for freedom and equality, have gloried in their dream of America’s promise.”

The free exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Maxwell H. Dubin/Alfred Wolf Exhibit Center of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Call (213) 388-2401 regarding Sunday hours and information.

DATES

* The Islamic Center of Southern California celebrates the grand opening of the New Horizon School Campus in Pasadena, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. The public is invited; refreshments will be served. 626 Cypress Ave. (213) 383-3443 or (213) 480-3145.

* Immanuel Presbyterian Church begins its 106th year on Sunday, Sept. 12. Three Bible classes for adults commence that day at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., a Rally Day Service will be held, featuring choir music and recognition of the church’s school director and teachers, as well as church elders and others. A luncheon follows. 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 389-3191.

* Registration has begun for Thursday night family programs that start Sept. 16 at Whittier Area Baptist Fellowship. Offered are: “Home Improvement: Parenting Teen-agers,” “Separation/Divorce Recovery Workshop” and “Confident Kids: Getting to Know My Feelings,” for children in grades two to six. Fees vary; space is limited. 8175 Villaverde Drive. (310) 945-3921.

* Blase Bonpane, director of the nonprofit group Office of the Americas and a senior research fellow of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, discusses “A Friendshipment to Cuba” at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at First Unitarian Church, 2936 W. 8th St., Los Angeles. (213) 389-1356.

* A concert by Indian virtuosos Ali Akbar Khan, Lakshmi Shankar and Swapan Chaudhuri at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, commemorates the visit of Swami Vivekananda to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago 100 years ago. Vivekananda introduced Hinduism and Vedanta to the West and their emphasis on community service as a form of worship. Proceeds from the concert benefit American Service to India. The concert will be at Thorne Hall at Occidental College. Tickets are $25-$250. (800) 427-1770.

HIGH HOLY DAYS

* The Hebrew month of Elul, which is drawing to a close, traditionally is a time of spiritual preparation for the period between the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). This year, Rosh Hashana begins at sundown Wednesday, Sept. 15. Yom Kippur begins at sundown Friday, Sept. 25.

“At a special service, called Selichot, on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana, penitential prayers are recited to ready us for the high points of the season, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur,” said Rabbi Allan Schranz of Sinai Temple in Westwood. “We also enter into a reflective mood by singing prayer melodies reserved for the High Holy Days.

“For many people, this is a particularly hopeful New Year, with the talk about serious proposals for conciliation between Jews and Arabs in Israel. Of course, many feel trepidation, but there is the sense for me, as for others, that something wonderful can happen in the Middle East.”

Following are some High Holy Day preparatory events. All Selichot events will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, and are free.

* Sinai Temple presents a “mood-setting” concert by violinist Leslie Brown Katz, accompanied by pianist Joanne Pearce, at 11 p.m. Selichot services follow, led by Schranz, Rabbi Zvi Dershowitz, cantors Meir Finkelstein and David Silverstein, and accompanied by choir director Aryell Cohen and the Sinai Choir. Refreshments will be served at 10:30 p.m. 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

* Temple Beth Ohr in La Mirada holds Selichot services conducted by Rabbi Lawrence Goldmark and cantor Lisa Sharlin at 11 p.m., preceded by a social hour. 15721 Rosecrans Ave. (310) 691-2551 or (714) 521-6765.

* University Synagogue in West Los Angeles presents “An American Selichot,” an inspirational service with music by composer Gary William Friedman, at 10 p.m. Two cantors and a chamber orchestra will be featured. Preceding the service at 8:30 p.m. are a song session, Havdalah ritual and “Creative Learning Experience.” 11960 Sunset Blvd. (310) 472-1255.

* Temple Beth Zion-Sinai in Lakewood holds Selichot services at 9 p.m., led by Rabbi Claudio Kaiser Blueth and cantor Yehuda Keller. On Sunday, Sept. 12, at 10:15 a.m., a free class will be given on the history and technique of blowing the traditional Shofar (ram’s horn). 6440 Del Amo Blvd. (310) 429-0715.

Notices may be sent to Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.