Message From The Rabbi

Rabbi Spike Anderson

This Friday night, as our country enters into MLK weekend, we have a special Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El to lift the connection between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights movement, and Judaism.  The format will be similar to our monthly Southern Soul Shabbats, but even more elevated.

We are familiar with the biblical midwives, Shifra and Puah, who Pharoah commanded to kill the Israelite children at birth, but instead, committed the first recorded acts of civil disobedience in protest because they were “God-fearing.”

In Judaism, we lionize our prophets, and prophetesses, who demanded justice, and spoke truth to power,  even when it was unpopular to do so…or dangerous.

MLK was an accomplished Pastor, whose enslaved ancestors in America had looked at their bible, and seen the example of a people enslaved for hundreds of years…the Jews.  The Exodus story and the years that the biblical Jews moved through the desert wilderness towards a Promised Land helped get them through our nation’s ‘dark night of the soul.’ 

So when Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech and spoke about calling from the mountain tops, “free at last, free at last…” his words and vision were inspired by his biblical studies and religious calling.

Personally, I am always most inspired when I see that iconic photograph of the walk across the bridge at Selma…where MLK is walking side by side with our beloved Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.  An Orthodox Jew, Rabbi Heschel describes that day, when he walked for justice with Dr. King, as ‘praying with his feet.’   These words inspire so many of us to continue our sacred mission for Tikkun Olam, to act to heal our broken world…

So, please join us for Shabbat dinner at Temple Emanu-El, followed by an incredible, uplifting Shabbat service in our Sanctuary.  Register HERE for dinner.

Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, bring your family.

All are welcome!