Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Friday, January 12, 2024 - Monday, January 15, 2024
Join us for a weekend with Scholar in Residence Rev. Mahogany Thomas as we explore the theme “What Love Demands: Love in the Writings and Theology of Dr. King.” On Friday night, Rev. Thomas will be in conversation with Rabbi Miriam Liebman. Together, these faith leaders will lead and teach on the role of love in their religious traditions.
Tikkun Olam/Social Action
Friday Night Shabbat Festival
With Scholar In Residence Rev. Mahogany Thomas in conversation with Rabbi Miriam Leibman
Friday, January 12, Click Here to Register
Calling all corners of our community for a soulful, extravagant Shabbat festival
experience. Gather with friends, old and new, to recharge your spirit with uplifting prayer, joyful song, (and of course) lots of food. Social Action and Community Partners Happy Hour, YP Happy Hour, RP Happy hour (Retired Professional!), musical services, and a special MLK Shabbat Dinner with conversation and teachings from Rev. Thomas and Rabbi Liebman.
MLK Weekend Scholar: Reverend Mahogany Thomas
Reverend Mahogany Thomas will be speaking during Friday night and Shabbat morning services
Mahogany S. Thomas is the Chief Program Officer for Bread for the City. She is committed to working at the intersections of social justice and advocacy for marginalized communities based in Washington, D.C. As a Missouri native and Washingtonian transplant, Mahogany believes in creating more equitable futures through radical hospitality. Her background explores intersectionality and liberation praxis with the goal of human flourishing.
In addition to her work at Bread for the City, Mahogany serves as the Womanist Theologian in Residence at Calvary Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., where she works to bridge the gap between the academy and the church, often by cultivating alternative and exploratory forums within the congregational context. For fun, you'll find her with a novel at the dog park, jogging through the neighborhood, or with a mug of coffee in her hands. Mahogany's favorite question to ask folx as she gets to know them is, "What brings you delight?" These days her delight is in her puppy Moses and the people she loves!
MLK Weekend Speaker: Rabbi Miriam Liebman
Rabbi Miriam Liebman will be speaking in conversation with Rev. Thomas on Friday Night, January 12
Rabbi Miriam Liebman serves as the Rabbi in Residence at Jews United for Justice. She was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary Rabbinical School in 2018. Rabbi Miriam has also worked in partnership with JOIN for Justice to help bring Don't Kvetch: Organize! community organizing training to the Conservative movement and serves as a Ruach Avodah faculty member for Avodah. Rabbi Miriam has previously worked at the New York University Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life and Maryland Hillel, supporting college students in forming their Jewish identities. Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Miriam worked as a community organizer in Detroit and was an Avodah corps member in New Orleans where she worked at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center. Rabbi Miriam lives in Washington DC, is married to a forester, and is the proud parent of the best kid she knows. She uses she/her/hers pronouns.
Shabbat Morning Service
Featuring Musical Guests Roderick Giles & Grace Gospel Choir
Saturday, January 13 at 9:30am
Click Here to Join Live
Join us for our MLK weekend Shabbat morning service including music honoring Dr. King, by musical guests Roderick Giles & Grace Gospel Choir.
Roderick Giles & Grace Gospel Choir: Roderick Giles is an active member of the Southern Baptist Church Praise and Worship Center where he formed the SBC Chorale—the choir who won the Verizon Wireless "How Sweet the Sound" regional choir competition for two consecutive years. He is also the owner of Giles Music Group, LLC. Roderick is the Founder and Director of two multi-talented groups "EXTOL" and "Grace" and is a dedicated member and a lead soloist of Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music.
