In Antisemitism and White Supremacy, Baltimore, MD, Maryland State, Montgomery County, MD, Racial Equity, Racial Equity DC, Racial Equity Montgomery, Washington, DC

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th and commemorates the day when news of abolition finally reached enslaved Black people in Texas. On June 19th, 1865, a full two and a half years after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay to enforce the emancipation of the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Juneteenth has since become a nationally observed day that honors and celebrates Black freedom and resistance, centering Black people’s unique contribution to the struggle for justice in the United States. It was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth Events in our Region

There are many, many events happening on and around Juneteenth in DC and Maryland. Below are a selection of events that JUFJ has been asked to share with our community. If there are other events that you would like us to add to this list, please contact Rudy (rudy.malcom@jufj.org) with information about their timing, location, and content.

JUFJ will be closed on Juneteenth in observance of the holiday.

Monday, June 12
7:30 PM

Zoom

The Space Between will explore what is means to identify as a Jew of Color, and feel simultaneously siloed and hyper visible within sacred and communal Jewish spaces. Too often we praise and honor the firsts (the originator), and celebrate the accomplishments of the victor, while forgetting the work, and souls that sacrificed in between. It sometimes seems the stories and contributions of JOCs are overlooked, but just as G-d spoke from between the wings of the cherubim on the ark (of the Mishkan) and that place was deemed holy, there is sacred work, bridge and community building taking place in the communities and spaces between.

Join JOIN for Justice on June 12 at 7:30 ET as Bryant and esteemed panel guests discuss anti-racism, anti-Blackness within Jewish spaces, and the current holy work to which JOC leaders are contributing.

This event is co-sponsored by the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project.

DC

Tuesday, June 13
7:00 PM

Edlavitch DC JCC
1529 16th St NW
Washington, DC

As a part of DC’s Jewish community Juneteenth celebration, the JxJ film and music festival invites you to join them for a film screening of BET’s Content for Change: Black X Jewish Screening and Panel Discussion at the Edlavitch DCJCC in partnership with Mosaic Visions.

This moving 30-minute film explores the intersection of antisemitism and racism, along with the decades-long relationship between Black and Jewish communities to confront hate. The film will be followed by a panel conversation with film director Lacey Schwartz Delgado and Dr. LaNitra Berger, professor at George Mason University. The panel will be moderated by Dee Sanae, founder and CEO of Mosaic Visions.

This is a “pay-what-you-choose (PWYC)” screening, with a minimum ticket price of $12. Any additional funds will go towards supporting future Juneteenth and Jews of Color programming at the Edlavitch DCJCC.

DC

Friday, June 16
6:00 PM

Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb St NW
Washington, DC

Washington Hebrew Congregation invites you to end your week and welcome Shabbat with them as they honor and recognize Juneteenth with their Jews of Color Group and Community Partners! If you plan to join virtually, you can do so at https://www.whctemple.org/worship/livestream/ (Password: WHCLive)

At 6:00 pm and again after the service: Have something to eat (to tide you over or as your dinner), a drink (they offer a full bar, plus non-alcoholic options), and connect with your community.

Kids are always welcome, and they’ll be able to eat before (and after) the service, play Connect 4, Jenga, and cornhole games, create at a coloring table, and do other arts & crafts activities.

6:30 pm – Shabbat service begins, featuring the music of Lapidus & Myles.

After the service – Stay for dessert, or more dinner and drinks!

DC

Sunday, June 18
10:00 AM

John Wesley AME Zion Church
1615 14th St NW
Washington, DC

Montgomery County

Sunday, June 18
9:30 AM

The Hilton Doubletree Hotel
620 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, MD

Monday, June 19
9:00 AM

Interfaith and Social Action Pavilion
Cabin John Village
11325 Seven Locks Road
Potomac, MD

At the core of Freedom Day, represented by the national holiday of Juneteenth, is faith. Scotland AME Zion church invites you to join the Reverend Dr. Evalina Huggins, Rabbi Evan Krame, Reverend Nancy Ladd and leaders of other faith communities for a special morning of celebration and prayer with the theme “Zion: A People, A Place, A Praise.” The service will include a performance by the Scotland AME Choir. Breakfast will be served ($20). Purchase breakfast tickets and see more details at the button below.

WHC’s Jews of Color Group invite you to join them in celebrating Juneteenth with their friends at Scotland AME Zion Church. The festival is being greatly expanded this year to raise funds to rebuild the Scotland AME Zion Church in Potomac which was rendered unusable by a flood in 2019.

Featuring a children’s carnival and music performance, as well as art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in this region, the events for the federal holiday on Monday, June 19, will be spread across the Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road.

Montgomery County

Monday, June 19
2:00 PM

Moses Cemetery
Near 5214 River Road
Bethesda, MD

The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) grew from the early struggle of the Social Justice Ministry of Macedonia Baptist Church. The organization consists of volunteers, activists, community groups, and faith-based institutions. The BACC seeks to stop the desecration of Moses Macedonia Cemetery, preserve the rich history of this once thriving African community, and consecrate Moses Macedonia Cemetery with a memorial and museum on River Road in Bethesda, Maryland.

Speeches and performances by:

Representative Jamie Raskin
Author and Historian C.R. Gibbs
Evergreen Productions
Harvey Matthews
and more

DC

Monday, June 19
11:00 AM

ONE DC Black Workers Center
2500 MLK Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC

“Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.”
– Coretta Scott King

Join ONE DC as they celebrate liberation in community and Black joy! With live music, Juneteenth history, spoken word, and local vendors. RSVP to let them know you’ll be joining them!

Baltimore

Monday, June 19
12:00 PM

Pennsylvania Avenue Triangle
2000 Pennsylvania Ave
Baltimore, MD

Join the Citizens Policing Project for their 4th annual Juneteenth Ujima Cook-Out and Celebration from noon to 4 PM.

Food * Music * Vendors * CommUNITY * Free Legal Services provided by Baltimore Action Legal Team

For tabling opportunity contact info@cpproject.org. No RSVP required.

DC

Monday, June 19
2:00 PM

Baldwin House
2572 Sherman Ave NW
Washington, DC

Let’s celebrate Juneteenth! Join Baldwin House for their Baldwin House Juneteenth Cookout.  This event is free and open to all who would like to attend. There will be lots of entertainment, food, dancing, and games – and be sure to bring your lawn chairs and tents! If you are able, please sign up to volunteer to help set up the outdoor space which has been neglected by Baldwin House’s prior landlord.

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