Temple Beth-El of Great Neck will host a nondenominational prayer service honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.
This year, the prayer experience honoring King’s impact will be preceded by a 30-minute traditional liturgy service at 6 p.m.
Renowned Long Island civil rights attorney Frederick K. Brewington will deliver the keynote address.
The Martin Luther King Jr. service is a time-honored tradition at Temple Beth-El, ever since the reverend spoke at the synagogue in the 1960s. King’s meaningful—and still relevant—words from his civil rights speech continue to resonate with us.
“Since then, we have proudly joined with Great Neck’s Black community each year to reaffirm its shared commitment to Dr. King’s vision for our society and for humanity,” said Temple Beth-El Rabbi A. Brian Stoller. “We are deeply grateful to our past president Roger Tilles for arranging for Fred Brewington to speak to our congregation and for his ongoing dedication to making our annual MLK service a meaningful experience for our community.”
The prominent member of the New York State Bar Association will join the list of distinguished civic leaders who have addressed this high-profile gathering throughout the years, including Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, John Lewis, Calvin Butts, Letitia James and, most recently, Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Led by Rabbi Stoller and Rabbi Megan Brumer, this year’s service will include inspirational music performed by an interfaith Black-Jewish choir featuring Nigel Gretton and Pam Levy along with Piano Accompanist Shy Kedmi and Cantorial Soloist Stephanie Horowitz-Mulry, as well as readings from King’s inspirational speeches and reflections from community leaders regarding how King inspired them.
The service is co-sponsored by the Great Neck Coalition for Unity, a local public-private civic organization dedicated to promoting understanding and friendship in our peninsula community.
The entire community is welcome to share this special occasion at Temple Beth-El.
The peninsula’s first synagogue has been serving the community for more than 95 years at 5 Old Mill Road.
