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Unity Dinners

What They Are
Formed in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Hillel International, this program aims to rebuild the historical bonds between Black and Jewish communities by fostering collaboration among a new generation of young leaders.

Unity Dinners bring together Jewish students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to create a unique and critical opportunity for college students to connect, communicate, and build relationships, in the hopes of creating a more just future for themselves and their communities.

The Origin

Inspired by their impact on students, Robert Kraft donated $1M to UNCF in April 2024 to fund the initiative. Since the series’ conception, hundreds of students have attended Unity Dinners on campuses across the U.S—and we’re just getting started. These dinners have sparked ongoing relationships among the Black and Jewish communities, encouraging new perspectives and partnerships that continue to grow over time.

Ongoing Engagement

After the events, Unity Dinner student attendees have the opportunity to engage more deeply in Black-Jewish relations. They can apply for a $1,000 micro-grant to host their own follow-up event of any kind—the only requirement is that they are student-led by at least one Hillel and one HBCU student.

Lasting Benefits

Through Unity Dinners, Black and Jewish college students come together to foster understanding and collaboration between communities.
44% of participants reported they attended a Unity Dinner due to the current state of racism and antisemitism in the U.S.
Almost all students reported having had at least one meaningful conversation with someone they didn’t know and who identifies as a different race.
“Had a significant impact”

“It had a significant impact on me in understanding cultural differences when talking about the relationship between the African American and Jewish communities.”
“Amazingly rewarding”

“I’ve grown up with deep roots bridging the connection between Black and Jewish people. Getting to see it on such a large setting as amazingly rewarding and understanding how paralleled our experiences are was exciting.”
“Allowed me to meet people”

"This event allowed me to meet people from demographics that I otherwise would have never gotten to meet.”
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Nationwide Events 2025

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