Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King, Jr. & the Jewish Community - Softcover

Shneier, Rabbi Marc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1580232736 ISBN 13: 9781580232739

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2008

Synopsis

Many people are familiar with the story of Jewish support for the American civil rights movement, but this history has another side―
one that has not been fully told until now.

“Outlines a compelling image of relations between the two communities.... In Shared Dreams, Rabbi Schneier reiterates our commonality, as upheld by Martin Luther King, Jr., and fuels the reader to continue to work for the advancement of race relations among all God’s children.”
―from the Preface by Martin Luther King III

Shared Dreams brings to life the impressive, surprising, and long-neglected history of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s efforts in support of the Jewish community. This is a story that sheds new light on the commitment and the relationship between the Jewish and African-American communities as they have struggled together to fight for justice and civil rights in our nation, and our lives.

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Marc Schneier is president of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, a nonprofit organization based in New York and Washington, D.C., dedicated to strengthening relations between the Jewish and African American communities. He is the chairman of the World Jewish Congress American Section and founding rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue and The New York Synagogue. Rabbi Schneier is an international spokesperson on intergroup relations and is frequently sought after by the media for his perspective and insight on a variety of subjects. Newsweek Magazine named him one of America's top fifty rabbis. He has been the recipient of many awards, including The Kelly Miller Smith Ecumenical Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; the NAACP Martin Luther King, Jr. "Measure Of A Man Award"; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; the Civil Rights Leadership Award in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the New York State Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal; the American Civil Rights Education Services Civil Rights Award; and the Interfaith Award from the Islamic Center of Long Island.

From Publishers Weekly

Schneier, founding rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue on Long Island, wrote this book to foster friendly relations between African-Americans and Jews. Based on interviews and previously unpublished sources, this is a commendable account of the associations Martin Luther King Jr. had with Jews and Jewish organizations. Schneier frankly confronts such issues as African-American anti-Semitism, the left-wing connections of King's important Jewish advisor, Stanley Levison, and the early reluctance of many Southern Jews to endorse the civil rights movement. These kinds of problems were balanced by the vigorous support King received from such Jewish leaders as Morris Abram and Abraham Joshua Heschel, Jewish participation in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery and the assistance King gave to the struggle against Soviet repression of Jews. Perhaps the most troublesome episode in the groups' relationship occurred during the Six-Day War, when King's powerful pacifist convictions and the anti-Zionist harangues of several African-American leaders combined to make him reluctant to advocate favoring Israel. However, he never endorsed anti-Israel attitudes and, in the last speech he made before his 1968 assassination, spoke fondly of his trip to Israel in 1959. Schneier's candid, well-balanced presentation is a significant contribution to African-American/Jewish harmony. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1580232736
• ISBN 13: 9781580232739
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240