Created by library intern Kim, here is a list of resources if you're interested in learning about the connections between civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Jewish community.
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Jewish Community
American Jews played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, exemplified by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In addition, King was a strong advocate for Jewish rights and spoke in support of Israel. This pathfinder gives a sampling of both children’s and adult’s books available at the Dr. Arnold L. Segel Library Center that explore King, Heschel, and the Civil Rights Movement. For more information, check out the websites listed.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Rappaport, Doreen, and Bryan Collier. Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. BIOG KING
Award-winning picture book on the life of MLK.
Michelson, Richard and illustrated by Paul Colón. As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom j. E 185.97 .K5M44 King
A beautifully illustrated book and inspiring story.
Rose, Or N. Abraham Joshua Heschel: Man of Spirit, Man of Action BIOG Heschel
The first biography of Heschel intended for young readers.
BOOKS
Schneier, Marc. Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Jewish Community.
E 185.97 .K5S59
Using previously unpublished writings and interviews with King’s peers, Rabbi Schneier shows King’s commitment to the Jewish community and support of Jewish rights.
Blacks and Jews: Alliacnes and Arguments. Ed. Paul Berman. E185 .615 .B5534
A collection of essays that explore the alliances and enmity between the Jewish American and African-American communities.
Schultz, Debra L. Going South: Jewish Women in the Civil Rights Movement. E185.61 .S364
A history of the key role Jewish American women played in the Civil Rights Movement.
File on Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Temple Israel Library. Contains the programs of past liturgies for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Located in the cabinet under the photocopier
WEBSITES
Martin Luther King Day Resources- Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
http://rac.org/pubs/packets/mlk/
This webpage includes links to King’s writings and speeches, articles and websites about King, and ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. day in synagogues.
A Special Bond: Martin Luther King, Jr., Israel and American Jewry- Stuart Appelbaum
http://rac.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=415
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a strong supporter of Israel and called for unity between the Jewish and African-American communities.
Information about Civil Rights from the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation
http://www.jewishlexington.org/page.aspx?ID=164624
Includes the text of Dr. Joachim Prinz’s speech at the March on Washington, information on Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and a link to an online exhibit on Jewish women in the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Black-Jewish Relationship, Rachel Mauro, DC Jewish Life Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-1507-DC-Jewish-Life-Examiner~y2009m1d17-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-and-the-BlackJewish-relationship
A current take on the relationship between the Jewish and African-American communities.
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