Growing up in the Midwest in the wake of the Holocaust, I always associated Jewish identity with playing defense. You know, the "you might as well be Jewish because they're going to kill you anyway." And for some reason, I also assumed that Abraham Heschel was someone long dead and gone. (You can imagine what MY hebrew school experience was like.)
This is why learning about the role of Jews in the civil rights movement was so important in reconceiving my own adult Jewish identity. And why Heschel made such a difference in thinking about spirituality. Here's a terrific clip that about the connection between Heschel and King, from a documentary that is currently being made.
Here are two special events to honor Dr. King. I hope to see you at one of them.
Temple Israel of Boston’s Annual Shabbat Service in celebration of the life and values of Rev., Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. with Jackie Jenkins-Scott, President of Wheelock College on January 15, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.
A special invitation by Rev. Ray A. Hammond II and Bethel AME Church to Sunday Services in honor of Dr. King on January 17th, 9:30-11:30 am. There will be a special performance of "God Full of Love, God Full of Grace, composed by Jeremiah Klarman, a Gann Academy student, and performed by Mr. Klarman and the Bethel AME Praise and Worship Team. The Church is located at 86 Wachusett St. in Jamaica Plain. Co-sponsered by the Jewish Community Relations Council.
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