Premieres Tuesdays, Feb. 3 - 17, 2026 at 9 p.m. + Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream with KPBS+ / Encores Saturdays, Feb. 7 - 28 at 7 a.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturdays, Feb. 7 - 28 at 1 p.m. on KPBS 2
BLACK AND JEWISH AMERICA: AN INTERWOVEN HISTORY is a four-part series tracing the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans — defined by solidarity and strained by division.
Drawn together by racism and antisemitism, they forged civic and cultural bonds, especially during the civil rights era. The series explores both the challenges and enduring promise of that alliance.
EPISODE GUIDE:
EPISODE 1: “Let My People Go” premieres Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encores Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 a.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1p.m. on KPBS 2 + Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - This episode explores the core differences at the start of the Black and Jewish American stories, as well as overlapping struggle, faith, resilience, and early civic partnerships by the 1920s.
EPISODE 2: “Strange Fruit” premieres Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encores Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7 a.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 - This episode spotlights how Black and Jewish communities collaborated in the early 20th century on music, movies, and the universal fight against fascism, navigating tensions while shaping culture, confronting injustice, and leaving a lasting social impact.
EPISODE 3: “The Grand Alliance" premieres Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encores Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 a.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. on KPBS 2 - This episode traces the 1960s’ “Grand Alliance” as Black and Jewish communities fought for civil rights in a transformative interracial coalition, and the imbalances that quickly tested their alliance.
EPISODE 4: “Crossroads” premieres Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Encores Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV + Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 a.m. on KPBS 2 + Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. on KPBS 2 - This episode examines the shifting Black and Jewish relationship from the 1970s onward, exploring political gains, global tensions, rising hate, and the enduring lessons of coalition building and solidarity
Watch On Your Schedule: KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.
You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience). Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.
Credits: A production of McGee Media and Inkwell Media, in association with WETA Washington, D.C. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the writer, host, and executive producer. Dyllan McGee is an executive producer. Executive in charge for PBS is Geoff Daniels. Phil Bertelsen and Sara Wolitzky are co-executive producers and directors. Julia Marchesi is a series producer and director. Rachel Dretzin is an executive producer. Deborah Clancy Porfido and Robert L. Yacyshyn are the supervising producers. Kevin Burke is a producer and Rachel Fleischer, Bianca Ladipo and Lauren Wimbush are co-producers. Ashley Thomas is line producer. Megan A. Graham is the supervisory archival producer and story producer. Stacey Holman and Eric Thielman are story producers.
