Long Beach’s Temple Emanu-El to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

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Long Beach goes all out celebrating holidays and important events, and Temple Emanu-El is always right in the middle, hosting gatherings, performances, Shabbats, and more, to show support for whatever it is.

It will be no different on Friday, Jan. 17, when the temple will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat in honor of his memory and legacy. This year’s Shabbat will be the ninth such event, starting at 7:30 p.m. MLK Day is officially three days later, on Jan. 20.

“I felt it was important to continually build the bridge with our African American brothers and sisters,” Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft said of having this kind of event. “The commonality is so obvious in terms of sharing the challenges of discrimination, prejudice, and often laws that have been difficult throughout history, that have affected our populations.”

The event always incorporates the reading of an excerpt from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The temple also welcomes in guest speakers and, in the past, have highlighted people including James Hodge and Bishop Mark Moses of The New Life Church of Christ, among others.

“We usually just do a text search from it, not entire speech,” Zanerhaft said, “but it’s such a reminder, because Dr. King really relied on so many beautiful Old Testament imagery and it resonates with both communities.”

This year’s Shabbat will also feature an a capella group. The group, known as the Nehemiah Group, has performed at Temple Emanu-El in the past as well, for a special Shabbat during Black History Month.

Temple Emanu-El frequently holds special Shabbats and services throughout the year for various reasons and causes. Along with the annual MLK Shabbat, they hold events for Pride Month, police and first responders, other cultures and backgrounds and, of course, the holiday season.

“Specifically in Long Beach, we always want to role model how we are a united community and support each other through times of trouble,” Zanerhaft said. “Whether it’s a shooting in a Black church or shooting in the synagogue, our congregations, our community, support each other. We call, we reach out, we stand together, and we think it’s an important moment in American history, and for Long Beach, to continually demonstrate that connection.”

Temple Emanu-El is located at 455 Neptune Blvd. in Long Beach. For more information regarding the MLK Shabbat, other events or just about the temple itself, visit TempleEmanuElLongBeach.org.