A week ago, today and over last weekend, Rabbi Ross led a group of us on an educational humbling and powerful journey through Atlanta, Montgomery, Birmingham and Selma and the sacred sites of the Civil Rights Movement. We visited the Rosa Parks Museum, walked across the Edmund Pettus bridge, stood at the 16 th street Baptist Church where four young girls were murdered in a bombing, and walked through the park where children were hosed, beaten and arrested.

Along the way we visited the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, an organization dedicated to confronting the history of racial injustice in America, attended Shabbat services at Temple Beth OR in Montgomery and ended the trip at the birthplace and memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King. We then concluded the journey at the Ebenezer Baptist Church for Sunday services where Senator Warnock preached.

At each stop we were reminded of the struggle against racism, antisemitism and injustice. We were reminded of what Rabbi Abraham Heschel said after the girls were murdered: “In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” In other words, we need to show up and not be silent. As Jews, we understand the power of remembrance, zachor – not as a passive act but as a call to responsibility.

Personally, I couldn’t be prouder to be Jewish and a member of our congregation. We had a great group, ate BBQ and laughed and cried along the way. I encourage everyone to inquire and sign up for the trips to Israel this coming winter and for this Civil Rights trip again next spring.

Thanks to Rabbi Ross and to all who made this such a memorable experience.