Martin Luther King Jr. to be remembered in interfaith ceremony Friday

A coalition of Jewish synagogues and African-American churches will join Friday in remembrance of the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as they mark the 45th anniversary of his death.

The interfaith presentations will focus on the relevance of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in today’s world, organizers said.

The free event, in its 10th year, will take place at the Temple Israel of Lawrence and will include a musical tribute by the renowned gospel choir of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

The guest preacher will be the Rev. Victor Hall, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Jamaica. Among sponsoring groups are the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League and the World Jewish Congress.

Temple Israel Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum said the speakers’ reflections will touch current issues such as the gun-control debate, interfaith relations and racial conflict seen in light of King’s message.

“It should be an uplifting tribute in word and song, where we will be transmitting the message of Dr. King to young people and Americans today, across all racial lines,” Rosenbaum said. “It is especially important at a time when our world is torn apart by xenophobia and by extremism.”

The commemoration will start at 7:30 p.m. The temple is at 140 Central Ave.