Celebrations abound each year to honor America’s most inspirational civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The focus is usually on what MLK said and did, and how he united the community to fight bigotry, hatred and unfair laws.
However, Friday, Jan. 15, at Congregation B’nai Israel’s Shabbat service in Fayetteville, two communities of different faiths and colors, history and culture came together united in spirit, inspired by songs and focused on inclusiveness.
Members of the congregation of Flat Creek A.M.E. Church, the oldest African American church in Fayetteville, their pastor, Edward Johnson, who is also the mayor of Fayetteville, other clergy, and community representatives joined Rabbi Rick Harkavy and B’nai Israel congregants in worship.
Johnson, Fayetteville’s first elected African-American mayor, addressed the joint congregation of about 150 people stating, “Congregation B’nai Israel is blessed with Rabbi Harkavy who embodies the spirit of Martin Luther King.”
The mayor’s wife, Dr. Vanessa Johnson, joined Temple president, Sharon Hudgens, in lighting the Shabbat candles.
Keynote speaker Dr. Arlene Presser, a consultant to the United States Office of Minority Health, herself a member of CBI and African American, spoke about the need for inclusiveness and “ … unity in the community” to fight injustice.
Presser traced her maternal line to Ghana and cited that over 120 countries have Jewish communities. “Jews in many hues” she explained.
The Temple choral group, “Rhythm and Jews” and the church gospel choir, Voices of Inspiration, took turns singing.
Both Harkavy and Johnson agreed that while this was the first joint event, there would be several more in the future.
Top photo: Rabbi Rick Harkavy (L) and Pastor Edward Johnson led the joint worship of Congregation B’nai Israel and Flat Creek AME Church to celebrate MLK Day in Fayetteville. Photo/Special.
Dr. Vanessa Johnson (L), wife of Fayetteville Mayor Ed Johnson, and Sharon Hudgens, president of Congregation Bnai Israel, lit the Shabbat candles during the joint worship service in honor of MLK Day. Photo/Special.
Dr. Arlene Presser, speaking on on justice and inclusiveness, was the keynote speaker. Photo/Special.
