MLK and the Jewish Community: Shared Dreams

Partner
Content
Lesson
Text study
Secular Holidays
Jewish Text and Thought
Jewish Tradition
People
3 - 5
6 - 7
8 - 12

Martin Luther King Jr was a great civil rights leader. We celebrate his January birthday because he changed the world. We know him as a historical figure, but what does his struggle have to do with Jews today?

This step-by-step lesson plan describes Martin Luther King Jr.’s contribution to society, and explores how his dreams for social justice are shared by the Jewish tradition. This lesson Includes text study, discussion questions, and thought-scenarios for students to consider what decisions they would make in difficult situations.  It provides students with an immersive MLK Day Jewish experience.

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This nine-page lesson plan includes:

  • Jewish texts
  • MLK speeches
  • Minute-by-minute lesson layout
  • Suggestions for classroom discussion

Additional context can be found in the the following article from the Stanford Freedom Project:

The Biblical Exodus in the Rhetoric of Martin Luther King

 

Details

Setting

  • After School and Beyond
  • Congregational Learning
  • Day Schools and Yeshivas
  • Teen Engagement
  • Family Engagement

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