Hope: as Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King

In life, there are always choices to be made. Every day and every hour, we have an opportunity to make decisions that not only affect us but, like a pebble skimming across the water, it has a ripple effect on our surroundings. As we celebrate Martin Luther King in January, this is the very time we appreciate our freedom while also fighting for our continued rights and the rights of our friends, neighbors, and other communities.

Driven by my inspiration from Dr. King and his stance on racial and ethnic equality, in 1982, I was honored with the ADL Torch of Liberty Award for my work and efforts to help unite and lead my community by guiding and teaching the principles of kindness, equity, and compassion. My goal in 1982 is the same today, to fight and stand against hatred and racism within my community and beyond by being a voice for the voiceless and never remaining silent.  

The pivotal and groundbreaking movement and connection between Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel have inspired my Rabbinate from day one. As these great leaders perpetuated the importance of interfaith friendship and oneness, we must live by their example to unite by the values of goodness and standing against oppressors. Being silent is not an option, as silence is a form of stance. The foundation of Jewish religious life has taught us to thrive, view our ancestors and leaders like Dr. King as models for hope, and remain committed to our principle of integrity.

Together, we must commingle the ethical values of our great nation so we can rebuild in unity. Freedom is what our immigrant families fought for first-hand in the name of courage. Let us renew their dreams as we secure and procure a country of egalitarianism and continuously fight for justice and truth. 

As MLK stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”