Commemorating The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Why Jews Care

At a time of renewed and increasing antisemitism and threats to the wellbeing and existence of the State of Israel, I am sure many are questioning why Jewish people are marking the birthday of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After all, Jewish people have more than enough to be concerned about these days. Why should we take our time to help others, when we ourselves are at increased risk? Yet there is good reason, a sound basis in Judaism, for marking the occasion: It is in our self-interest and it is a Jewish thing to do. The commemoration honors Jewish teaching, and, by standing together across racial lines that once divided people, we lend strength to the struggle to secure our existence as a people.

On Dr. King’s legacy, my mentor, the late Rabbi Chaim Stern wrote, “We have believed that the treatment of the Jew is the barometer by which can be measured the civilization – or lack of it – of any society. So it is today. And similarly with the Black people of our land. Our spiritual fate depends in no small measure on the progress we make towards racial peace and justice. We must at long last come to know the truth of James Baldwin’s words: “Whether I like it or not, or whether you like it or not, we are bound together forever. We are part of each other. What is happening to every Negro in this country at any time is also happening to you.” (Nobody Knows My Name), And why shouldn’t we know this – we whose Scripture proclaims ‘You shall love the stranger, for you know the heart of the strangers, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt?'”

So, we join with the members of Antioch Baptist Church and Rev. Merle McJunkin at this Shabbat service at Temple Friday evening, and again Sunday at 4 PM at Antioch Baptist Church. I look forward to seeing you with us!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Dennis Ross