Andrew Guckes | Staff Writer
Today, the Edmund Pettus Bridge is crossed mostly by locals and tourists, the latter of whom have traveled to the Deep South to see the nondescript steel span that has become a symbol of resilience since the Civil Rights Movement.
The bridge was part of the route of three marches from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. The marches were led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His courage in the face of danger and steadfast commitment to nonviolent demonstration are typified in photos of tight lines of demonstrators holding each other’s arms, acting as a unit in the face of police brutality.
In one picture, a man who clearly appears to be Jewish, can be seen just one person away from King.
That man, the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, said that when he marched there, “his feet were praying.”
As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches on Jan. 20, it is important to remember the history of collaboration and respect between America’s Black and Jewish cultures. King himself spoke numerous times on the role of these minority communities in each other’s struggles, as well as the issue of the state of Israel — of which he was an ardent supporter.
Less than a month before he was assassinated in Memphis, King told the Rabbinical Assembly in a speech that security for Israel was important for many reasons.
“I see Israel as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality,” he said.
Jewish people were consistently present during marches, sit-ins and other protests, and at synagogues around Philadelphia, there are a handful of events being held that celebrate King’s impact on the community and country.
At Ohev Shalom in Bucks County, the synagogue will hold its second annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
“Since we were so successful last year, we decided to expand our day of service this year to include breakfast bags for KleinLife, health packets for Advocates for the Homeless and those in need, blankets for Project Linus, toys for rescued animals, letters and pictures for children and soldiers in Israel, plus collecting new books for St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia,” said Executive Director Barabara Glickman.
The event is also being organized by Ohev Shalom Social Action Chair Carol Gerson and Education Director Shari Sabath. Glickman said that, last year, 42 people registered but 70 showed up to participate.
“We expect more this year because we don’t have Hebrew School that Sunday, so we are requiring students to participate in the day of service,” she said.
Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley will also hold a similar event, its Martin Luther King Day of Service, on Jan. 20. Michael Greenspoon, director of marketing at the synagogue, said that it is “a vibrant and meaningful day of charitable activities and community engagement.”
The event will feature appearances from several full-time charities. From 9:30 a.m. to noon, volunteers will prepare food for the less fortunate. From noon to 2 p.m., Shul Stitchers will be at the temple to repair items and raise funds for charity. From noon to 3 p.m., join the Cat Collaborative for some kitty cuddles and potential adoption. Donation sorting for organizations like Narberth Food Bank, HIAS, Mitzvah Circle and JFCS’ Our Closet will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. to prepare items ahead of their donation and make the jobs of the recipients easier. The final item is a blood drive by the American Red Cross that will run from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Beth Sholom in Elkins Park will also hold an MLK Jr. Day of Service called “Make a Difference Day” on Jan. 20. Past events have included guests of honor such as Marlene Snyder, founder of Kare4Kids, who helped lead an effort to create 75 blankets and donate them to agencies and shelters.
Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood will hold a food donation event with the Jewish Relief Agency on Jan. 19. At the JRA warehouse, congregants will pack food distribution boxes and drive them to drop-off points as a group. Space was limited, so all of the spots are claimed.
“My people were brought to America in chains. Your people were driven here to escape the chains fashioned for them in Europe,” King said during a speech in 1958. “Our unity is born of our common struggle for centuries, not only to rid ourselves of bondage but to make oppression of any people by others an impossibility.”