Rabbi Blog

Dear QJC Family,

Today, we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which coincides around his birthday.

Inasmuch as much of our avodas Hashem around Jewish holidays centers around learning and internalizing their messages, I think it is appropriate to spend some time today to learn and reflect on Dr. King's legacy and its impact on our society today. My hope is that through deep learning, we will be better empowered to do whatever we can on our part to create a society of justice and equality for all humanity.

I believe that inasmuch that there is tension at times between the Black and Jewish communities over antisemitism and anti-Zionism, I know there are many Black people committed to standing with the Jewish community broadly and Israel in particular. In my opinion, our response should not to run away from the entire cause of fighting racism, but to build bridges and create mutual understanding and respect. With God's help, our leaning in will make both communities stronger.

Attached here is a page that links to some of Dr. King's most seminal speeches.

To include Torah perspectives, I include a link to a talk given by Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, rosh yeshiva at RIETS, given this past fall, as well as a piece analyzing the way Rabbi Norman Lamm z"l addressed racism in his time as a pulpit rabbi.

Today is also marked as a day of service in many parts of our country. While we are somewhat limited in what we can do under current circumstances, today should inspire us to do kindness for those who may be different than us but share our humanity.

Kol tuv,

Judah Kerbel
Rabbi, Queens Jewish Center