From the Shalom Center - MLKing Plus 40: Death & Rebirth

A Prophetic Voice in Jewish, Multireligious, and American Life

MLKing Plus 40:  Death & Rebirth

We are approaching the 40th yohrzeit (death-anniversary) of Dr. Martin Luther King, who was murdered on April 4, 1968. These days are especially precious to me, because in 1968 those days became the hinge of my own life, the time of my religious transformation.

There are several ways open to at least begin to face the truths Dr. King taught us.  They are not just "Black" truths, just as Dr. King's life  drew on and transcended the history of Black America.

(1) --   For the same mode - Include and Transcend - you can read an extraordinary speech given today by Senator Barack Obama  in Philadelphia, across the street from Independence Hall, on race in America.  You can find the whole speech here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/politics/18text-obama.html?ex=1206504000&en=591519f6698fac73&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Or - if you want to actually see and hear the speech -
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords

(2) You can also read Dr. King's most remarkable speech, given in Riverside Church, NYC, to an assemblage of Clergy and Laity Concerned About Vietnam,  exactly one year before he was killed  --  April 4, 1967.  See the text at -
http://www.shalomctr.org/node/71

It not only called for an end to the Vietnam war, but described the three major demons haunting America - racism, militarism, materialism. He prophesied that if those demons were not addressed, a generation after his speech there would need to be a new "Clergy and Laity Concerned"  for a new disastrous war.

And here we are. On March 6 and 7, I was among other Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists who took the first steps to create through action the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership - with a vigil and civil disobedience at the US Capitol, and Congressional-office visits with staff of Speaker Pelosi and Senator  Reid.

(2)  On April 4-5, you can take part in a retreat Rabbi Phyllis Berman and I will lead in the 28 beautiful acres of Am Kolel Sanctuary  near Washington DC http://www.sanctuaryretreatcenter.com

The first talk and discussion are entitled From Martin Luther King's Death to Passover's Rebirth -

Shabbat morning includes "Kabbalah in Motion" gentle yoga, Torah study, a prayer service,  followed by lunch and a lyrical reading (and discussion) on Song of Songs.

The festive third meal will focus on Implications of Pesach, Pharaoh, and Liberation in Our Personal & Political Lives Today."

This event is open to the public.

To register, or for more information: Contact Gilah Rosner at gilah@am-kolel.org or 301-349-2799.
 
(3) You can read an essay of mine that is scheduled to appear in the "On Faith" column of the Washington Post on April 3 or 4.  It is about  the moment from April 4 to April 12, the first night of Pesach, in 1968,  and the religious transformation that week brought forth in me.   When the time comes, I will send you the Webaddress where the essay appears.

 (4) You can come to The Shalom Center's celebration of six "Prophetic Voices" of our generation on April 6 in Philadelphia. (Bob Edgar, Sayyid Syeed, Ruth Messinger, Beth Stroud, Rebecca Alpert, Iftekhar Hussein.) Or if you can't come but want to honor these six --  send a greeting to appear in the program book. Click to -
http://www.shalomctr.org/node/1362

or call 215/844-8494 for information.

Shalom, Arthur