Notes from Cantor Avima

As we head into Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, our thoughts turn to social justice and equality for all in America. The song "Lift Up Every Voice and Sing!" written in 1900 is often referred to as "The Black National Anthem". This song is a reminder that a reminder for Black Americans that each generation has had to lift their voices, along with those within their community, to demand and protect their human rights.

Lift every voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

My colleague, Cantor Jack Chomsky, now retired and living in Tel Aviv,  shared that he loved singing this song at celebrations for many years and was so deeply touched by its almost Zionist feel, that he worked with a shlichah to write Hebrew words for it as well. Upon his retirement, in 2020, his congregants prepared a beautiful Youtube recording.Lift Every Voice with Hebrew Tiferet Yisrael Columbus, Ohio  

In conjunction with MLK weekend, the Religious School is holding its Day of Chesed, where students will participate in social action projects. We are still looking for donations of the following items before on or January 14. Please put in the large white bin in the lobby (near the front door). We need the following: pocket size hand sanitizer, bottles of water, protein bars, baggie filled with laundry pods, rolls of toilet tissue, hand towels, FULL SIZE Toiletries- shampoo, conditioner and body wash and reusable shopping bags. Thank you.