blogs/rabbi-huberman

If there was ever anyone who understood the parallels between the Jewish and African American journeys — it was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1958, speaking at the American Jewish Committee convention, Dr. King observed:

“My people were brought to America in chains. Your people were driven here to escape the chains fashioned for them in Europe. Our unity is born of our common struggle for centuries, not only to rid ourselves of bondage, but to make oppression of any people by others an impossibility.”

Perhaps it is one of the great ironies, that on this Monday, the day we continue reading from the Torah the account of the plagues which afflicted Pharaoh and Egypt — we will pause to remember Dr. King, who — in the midst of many tyrants — was a voice of peace and liberation.

In this current climate of cynicism and suspicion, Dr. King’s example also serves as a model of how two often persecuted cultures can unite to bring about social change and universal equality.

When Klansmen marched through the streets of Charlottesville in August 2017 — racist mobs were united by a common hatred of Jews and African Americans.

The chant “Jews will not replace us” rang through the streets.

Dr. King would have had none of that.

He frequently quoted the Torah, and identified common ground between those who, in their time, encountered Pharaohs.

In 1958, he told the American Jewish Congress:

“There are Hitlers loose in America today, both in high and low places… As the tensions and bewilderment of economic problems become more severe, history’s scapegoats, the Jews, will be joined by new scapegoats, the Negroes. The Hitlers will seek to divert people’s minds and turn their frustration and anger to the helpless, to the outnumbered.”

Too many of these words have some to pass.

Included within the viciousness of recent attacks on the American Congress, were those who felt comfortable wearing t-shirts that read Camp Auschwitz or 6MWE (Six Million Wasn’t Enough.”)

And, no one among the rabid hordes sought to check or contradict these messages. Is there anything else you need to know?

When, in 1967, a student where Dr. King was speaking criticized Zionism, he retorted, “Don’t talk like that.”

“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism!”

Speaking to Conservative rabbis in 1967, just days before his death, Dr. King noted: “I see Israel…as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy.”

Dr. King also reflected upon the blessings and the suffering of all people, for he understood that within each of us, there exists a spark of God — a thread of godliness.

“The denial of human rights anywhere is a threat to the affirmation of human rights everywhere. Jewish history and culture are a part of everyone’s heritage, whether he be Jewish, Christian or Muslim.”

As a youth growing up north of the border, I regarded the United States with unbridled admiration. I was inspired by American leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Robert K. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — all of blessed memory.

I marveled at the drive toward racial equality, at Vietnam War protests, by the race to the moon — and American music which reflected these struggles and lofty goals.

This past January 6, I was in Great Neck while racist mobs attacked the Capital. We became aware of the heinous events while listening to the car radio. As l left our vehicle to pick up a sandwich at a local kosher cafe, I asked the fellow behind the counter to change the television channel from ESPN to one of the national news outlets.

A table of men sitting opposite the screen, upon observing the events in Washington began chanting “fake news, fake news.” One interrupted the chant to offer, “CNN is owned by Muslims.”

What is happening? Too many in this country have lost their reality filters.

The table of men in the cafe, notwithstanding, most of us were enraged and revolted by the recent heinous events in Washington. And, there is good reason to be concerned about what will occur next week and beyond.

That is why, at this time, more than ever, we, as Jews, must reflect about who we are as a people. We need to collectively review our cultural values. 

Perhaps, we even need to Google the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. walking in the presence of the Torah with the late Rabbi Abraham Heschel.

Both cultures have shared the degradation of slavery. And, in many ways, we share the capacity to empathize — as, together, we envision this country’s ability to choose love over hatred. For at its core, America is good.

Yes, over the years, there have been setbacks in the relationship between Jews and African Americans. Leaders are often flawed and have, at times, misspoken. But this trend between Jews and African Americans is reversing. For, as the hordes in Charlottesville and Washington have demonstrated, we share a common enemy — hatred.

Reverend Roger Williams of the First Baptist Church of Glen Cove and I are planning a program for late February as our congregations find common ground at the end of Black History Month –—and at the dawn of the Passover season.

This can only result in good.

Let us take a moment during this long weekend to embrace our common past, present and future promise. Jews, African Americans -- all people together.

Let us not be seduced by cynicism. As Dr. King reminded us:

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”

This is the time.

It was Dr. King’s dream. It is the dream of the Jewish people.

Peace, understanding, cooperation — and the capacity listen to the experience and pain of others.

This is what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for. Along with the great teachers of our Jewish tradition, there is much we can learn from his words and example — now more than ever.

For he was a friend of Israel and the Jewish people.

Let his memory always be for a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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