Thursday, October 1, 2026
When Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft arrived at Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach in March 2017, he quickly got to work connecting with the community. One of his early priorities was establishing a distinct Shabbat service, specifically on the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to recognize the lasting impact and lessons of the civil rights leader.
On Jan. 16, Rabbi Zanerhaft oversaw the 10th consecutive MLK Shabbat service at the temple on Neptune Boulevard. The evening service was open and welcoming to any member of the community regardless of race, religion, or orientation.
Zanerhaft finds parallels between Rev. Dr. King’s role as a Baptist minister and his work at the forefront of civil rights activism. “There’s so much of that interrelated — a theological belief that we’re all created in god’s image. That we’re all children of the same god,” Zanerhaft stated. “That each person has the god-given right to have dignity, respect, justice and equality. There is a religious component, but it’s more about civil rights and justice, and all the principles that America stands for.”
Because he expected a broader than usual audience, many of whom were unlikely versed in Hebrew texts, Zanerhaft performed an adjusted prayer service with more spoken English and relatively less Hebrew. The Nehemiah Project, an a capella gospel choir, also performed during the service, having sung at last year’s MLK Shabbat, as well as singing at temple events during Black History Month in past years.
One notable feature every year is a reading of King’s renowned “I Have a Dream” speech, usually recited by a guest speaker. This year, to highlight 10 years of honoring King’s philosophy, everyone in attendance was encouraged to participate. “We’re going to ask the congregation to read it with me responsively,” Zanerhaft said of the new plan. “As all of us participate in the hopes and desires embraced in the dream.”
The day of celebration continued after the ceremony with an oneg — a social time after Shabbat services when congregants come together informally to share food, drink and relaxed company. Rabbi Zanerhaft explains why the Shabbat Oneg is especially important for the MLK service. “It’s a dessert reception and that’s really part of the event. It’s great to talk about building bridges, but we want to walk across them,” Zanerhaft said, reinforcing the strong community ties. “So we want to sit and drink and eat with all of our friends, neighbors and allies.”
