Jews and blacks in the United States share a long, complicated history: At times, allied in fights against destructive social forces; at other moments, at odds.

Recently there have been calls for a new dialogue to bring the two minority groups together to work on mutual social, economic, and political issues. In this issue of the magazine, Senior Editor Janet Rathner looks at the rich partnership between Jews and blacks during the civil rights era, the subsequent deterioration in relations, and new efforts to return to political-and, most significantly, social-consensus.

We also have a story marking one of the most ominous events in B'nai Brith history. On March 9, 1997, seven heavily armed Hanafi Muslims stormed the organization's headquarters, taking 105 employees hostage. Now, 30 years later, retired employees Rae Ehrlich, 83, of Silver Spring, Md., at the time a secretary at the organization, and Si Cohen, also 83, of Olney, Md., then director of B'nai B'rith's community volunteer services, recount to Janet how they came to be part of one of the first acts of terrorism to take place on U.S. soil.

B'nai B'rith was also making history in 1991, when it became part of the mass exodus of Ethiopian Jews known as Operation Solomon.

"Our immediate response to the needs of the new immigrants represents the spirit of B'nai B'rith. We want to say to the newcomers: 'You are now at home,'" District 14 (Israel) President Avigdor Warsha said at the time.

And, indeed, B'nai B'rith made significant efforts to help what was thought to be the last large immigration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. But there have been new, more recent waves of Ethiopians entering the country-and their is more controversial.

Israeli freelance writer Uri Heilman describes the plight of Ethiopia's Falash Mura, who are desperately trying to reach Israel, at a high cost to the government.

In another thought-provoking piece, former director of policy and research for B'nai B'rith International William Korey writes about how the notorious antisemitic tome "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" remains a contemporary guide for the Iranian government and the terrorist group Hamas.

Finally, I talk to movie legend Kirk Douglas, in a one-to-one interview in which he discusses his view of the world at the age of 90: his past successes and foibles; the tragedies and joy in his life; and his sometimes fatalistic view of the future.

I hope you find this issue of the magazine of interest as you enjoy a fruitful summer.

Hiram M. Reisner
Editor
B'nai B'rith Magazine