By Jeff Lipton
Jewish and African-American religious leaders used the occasion to show solidarity between their communities, citing the common struggles they have faced and continue to overcome. Those who spoke said King abhorred anti-Semitism, in all its forms.
As a result of this program, one word comes to mind: unity, said Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence. We showed unity and solidarity with the African-American community and the Jewish community and unity within the Jewish community itself.
We can only see how much we can accomplish when we work together and join forces and address issues of the day.
About 20 synagogues and temples throughout Nassau County, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist congregations, and three African-American churches took part in the commemoration. The event was sponsored by The Greater Long Island Jewish Community, as well as American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, Long Island chapter, Five Towns Jewish Council and the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns.
In Temple Israel's sanctuary, an audience of close to 400 African-Americans and Jews gathered for the program, which was described as both inspirational and emotional.
The keynote speaker was Orthodox Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and author of Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Jewish Community. Rabbi Schneier, who is also the founding rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue, is considered the preeminent authority on King's thinking and vision. He pointed to Dr. King's admiration for the achievements of the Jewish people and said Dr. King was an early supporter of the struggle to free Soviet Jews. The civil rights leader had proclaimed a number of times that the State of Israel has a right to exist, that its security must be a paramount concern; and that anti-Semitism must be combated everywhere.
The commemoration featured selected readings from Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech, which King made during the march on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. Rabbi Paul Joseph of Temple Emanu-El of Lynbrook and Rabbi Jason Klein of Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth in Hewlett read selected excerpts from his speech. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of that memorable speech.
Temple Israel Rabbi Emeritus Joel Y. Zion recalled his own role in history, being part of the huge crowd that descended on Washington, D.C. for the march in 1963.
The Temple Israel Choir sang several songs, including Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Lift Every Voice and Sing. Temple Israel Cantor Galina Paliy sang, I believe, To Dream The Impossible Dream, and God Bless the USA, accompanied by the temple choir.
At the end of the commemoration, the entire gathering stood up and clasp hands as they sang, We Shall Overcome, which was the moving anthem of the civil rights movement.
Also participating in the commemoration or involved in the planning process were Rabbi Paula Winnig of Temple Sinai of Long Island in Lawrence, Rabbi Alan Lavin of Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, Rabbi Stanley Platek of Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, Rabbi Bruce Ginsberg of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere, Rabbi Kenneth Hain of Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, Rabbi Hershel Billet of Young Israel of Woodmere, Rabbi Samuel Klibanoff from the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, among others rabbis from congregations in Rockville Centre, Merrick, East Meadow and Oceanside. Also participating were Dr. Benjamin J. Patterson of the First Presbyterian Russell Sage Memorial Church in Far Rockaway, and Reverend Victor Hall, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Jamaica.
With my wife, Anna, I was happy to participate with all whose presence warmed hearts, melting even the incipient icicles forming outside the frigid night, said Prof. Asher J. Matathias, president of the Long Island Lodge No. 1353 B'nai B'rith in Woodmere. Particularly encouraging was the presence of Orthodox Jewish leaders, joining brethren among the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements... Thus, all branches of Judaism spoke with one heart.
The event was coordinated and underwritten by Temple Israel of Lawrence.
Everyone left with the feeling of elation, that they are connected to one another in a physical and spiritual way, Rabbi Rosenbaum said.
