On January 14th, 2024, Keneseth Israel along with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Glenside sponsored The 5th Annual MLK Day of Learning, organized by EMIC (Eastern Montco Interfaith Coalition). EMIC is an interfaith affinity group whose leaders include Arlene B. Holtz and Barbara McNeil of KI.

The Program, which took place at St. Peter’s, was entitled “Where Do We go From Here: Chaos or Community,” a reference to MLK’s last book published in 1967.

After opening remarks by our own Arlene Holtz and a loving kindness meditation from Reverend Barb Ballenger, rector of St. Peter’s, ten quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. were read by the nearly 50 attendees gathered around several tables.  The groups discussed the selections and spoke to which sections most resonated with them, which selections were challenging, and then what was surprising and what was confirmed?

As a creative exercise, participants wrote original words as well as statements from the MLK selections that resonated on tissue paper and fabric which was then used to decorate standing rice paper lamp shades. 

Let there be light. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

To conclude the program participants shared stone soup prepared during the program with ingredients that they contributed.  It was a fitting ending to a heart- and mind-warming afternoon of building community.