Ask Haviv Anything 110: Van Jones on what broke the Black-Jewish alliance
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Apr 26, 2026 
Van Jones, activist and former Obama advisor who founded Dream Corps, reflects on the fraying Black–Jewish alliance. He recounts the partnership’s origins, how it shaped democracy, and why mistrust grew after events like October 7 and DEI rollbacks. He explores structural barriers, media and algorithmic divides, and practical ways to rebuild trust and joint action.
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How The Black Jewish Alliance Built American Democracy
- The Black‑Jewish alliance powered major American democratic reforms from 1909 onward.
- Van Jones traces its origins to the joint founding of the NAACP and National Urban League by Black and Jewish leaders working together against lynching and segregation.
How Affirmative Action Enabled Van Jones's Education
- Van Jones describes personal benefits from affirmative action that enabled his college and law school path.
- He credits a sister-persuaded scholarship and minority internship programs for getting him into University of Tennessee and later Yale Law.
Algorithms Are Splitting Shared Reality
- Algorithms and separate information ecosystems widened an empathy gap between Black and Jewish communities.
- Jones recounts missing news (e.g., babies murdered by Hamas) because his social feed never showed it, creating mutual ignorance about trauma.