The following speech was delivered at this week’s ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Fifty years ago a Rabbi shared these steps with Dr. King and began his remarks by saying, “I speak to you as an American Jew.” My name is Alan van Capelle, and today I speak to you…
As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and the majestic “I Have a Dream” speech, we should reflect on the singular role the Jewish community played throughout the civil rights struggle and, in particular, remember with pride Jewish participation in the March on Washington itself. No segment of American society outside…
When the Forward decided to run a feature commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Jewish influence on the seminal civil rights event, the first name discussed was that of Abraham Joshua Heschel, a close friend of Martin Luther King. Was he there? What role did he…
The Forward spoke with descendants of these men and others who took the stage and filled the National Mall on August 28, 1963
Well, the big news is out. As we mark the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s immortal “I have a dream” speech, it seems racial inequality hasn’t improved over the years the way we’d hoped it would. In some ways it’s hardly budged. And we still can’t figure out why. If you’re following the…
Tens of thousands of marchers converged on Washington, D.C., on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech and to urge action on jobs, voting rights and gun violence. “We believe in a new America. It’s time to march for a new America,” civil rights…
In the summer of 1963, the Forverts provided extensive coverage of civil rights news, from arrests in Louisiana to altercations between police and protestors in New York. Reporter Y. Shmulevitz provided on the ground coverage of the March on Washington as it happened. While reporting on the events, editors Moishe Crystal and Simon Weber were…
The connection between Dr. Martin Luther King and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel is one that I learned of during my conversion process. When only one month a year is given to Black History, certain events are sure to be left out. While my parents did an amazing job sharing their personal insights and memories of…
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