Please join Congregation Bnai Shalom as we honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by reciting the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”.

On April 16, 1963, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," which was addressed to Birmingham's local white clergy, including at least one rabbi, who had been critical of King’s organizing tactics. The Letter passionately expresses King's visions of a just society, a society to which we still aspire, and has become an important part of American Scripture.

The Jewish community marks time through ritual. We recite from biblical scrolls that capture the emotions and historical consciousness of specific moments in time. We find meaning in those verses year after year after year. Our Torah says, “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” – “Justice, justice shall you pursue”. Dr. King’s Letter says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

We will join together to read Dr. King's powerful words aloud. Attendees are welcome to participate by reading one or more paragraphs of the Letter, but may also just come to listen.

Following the recitation, we will create toiletry care packages for families in need. A bagel brunch will be provided. We ask that all attendees bring dish soap and/or boxed cereal for the families served by the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry.

Like all Bnai Shalom services, the recitation of the letter will be livestreamed on the Bnai Shalom YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@bnaishalomeastonpa9114/streams.

Registration is required to attend in person. Register online at https://my.linkpod.site/MLK-Letter-Bnai-Shalom or by calling the Bnai Shalom office at 610-258-5343.