Jonathan Lippman, Writer, editor, board member of Congregation Adath Jeshurun

Jonathan Lippman 

Meet Jonathan: I am a partner, a son, a friend, a writer, and an explorer of the human condition. I stand grateful for this unique opportunity to pursue storytelling in a community of likeminded novice historians. I am thrilled with our shared enthusiasm for discovery, reflection, and action. The relationship between the Black and Jewish communities in the U.S. is an abiding source of concern for me. I am troubled that these two historically marginalized groups, whose lives were once so enmeshed, are today parted by such diametric material outcomes. My greatest ambition would be to reinvigorate the forces that once bound us. The site of my research is Congregation Adath Jeshurun (AJ), one of Louisville’s most enduring Jewish institutions. I am studying AJ’s participation in Black-centered pushes for social justice, taking as bookends the 1960s Civil Rights Era and the more recent movement for Black Lives. AJ’s motto is “Open hearts, open minds.” I hope that creating an opportunity to consider how we have honored or fallen short of these words will guide us to more fully accomplishing our vision.