Heschel-King Festival - Celebration, Learning, Performances, Worship, Action and
Much More
by Margaret Lenzi, HKF 2013 Coordinator
What a Joy! To see so many people from different religious and racial communities
come together at the first ever Heschel-King Festival. From beginning to end, we were
inspired by the powerful speakers, uplifted by the services, moved by the music and
poetry, motivated by the community groups, and informed by conversations with the
speakers, local leaders and each other. The Heschel-King Festival was an inspiring
and powerful experience for the interfaith and social change communities in the
Philadelphia area.
The Festival was not only a celebration of the lives, vision and teachings of Dr. King and
Rabbi Heschel, it was also an affirmation of the robust interfaith and social change
movement in the Philadelphia area. The Festival hit a responsive chord as more than
500 people participated over the course of the Festival- many more than anticipated.
400 pre-registered and 168 were walk in registrants (and I’m sure we did not catch
everyone who was there).
The diversity and geographical range of participants was remarkable. Attendees
identified themselves as coming from 130 different organizations. The geographical
reach was also surprising as the Festival attracted people from all over the city and as
far away as New England, New York, Washington, New Jersey and several
Philadelphia suburbs.
The program was multidimensional so there was something for everyone.
The spirit was rising in the opening Friday night session as Rabbi Arthur Waskow led an
interactive service with music and speakers. Rabbi Waskow had the inspiration for the
Festival - his vision, teachings and wisdom guided us throughout the several month
organizing process. The Festival would not have happened without his loving support
and engagement that was instrumental in shaping the Festival. He is truly a prophet in
our own time and city!
Keynote speakers on Friday night addressed the question of “What Would King &
Heschel Have Us Do Today?”. Dr. Vincent Harding responded that King would not be
resting on the easy legacy of the “I Have a Dream” speech, but instead would be
engaged in the hard work of standing with and for the poor and especially for all of our
children. Rabbi Michael Lerner responded that Heschel would have been unwilling to
stay comfortably in the mainstream of acceptance if it meant turning his back on
oppression. Lerner put forward an ambitious agenda of issues that Rabbi Heschel
would have urged us to do. The multi-faith choir, led by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton, infused
the evening with uplifting songs.
Saturday was a jam-packed day from morning to evening. The Torah Study was filled
to capacity in the chapel. People of all faiths joined in with Rabbi Linda Holtzman as
they discussed the implications of civil disobedience in the week’s torah portion. Jointly
led by Rabbis Walt, Holtzman and Levy, the Shabbat morning service continued the
spiritual journey highlighted by a King-Heschel Haftorah created and chanted by
Shoshana Bricklin.
Moving into the afternoon, the Roundtable Conversations were a highlight for many as
they had the opportunity for a more interactive and in depth engagement with the
speakers and other local leaders. Quite a few people commented that the roundtable
with Dorothy Cotton in the chapel was just fantastic- the interplay between the young
activists, Dorothy Cotton and audience gave hope to all. At the same time, there was a
lively children’s program with singing, drumming, story telling and accordion playing.
Song and poetry filled the air on Saturday afternoon. The Heschel-King Room was
packed for SheWho, Philadelphia’s feminist, women’s vocal ensemble. They tapped into
the amazing energy and intention that was generated by the Festival and sang their
hearts out as people joined in spontaneously. Otter, the director of the group,
commented “The participation of the audience was magical and very moving for us.”
Susan Windle’s ensemble Voices of a Different Dream offered their luscious blend of
poetry spoken and sung to a captivated, well nourished audience. Their poem “Fire
Power” captured the essence of the festival: “Bearer of light/how will you carry/your fire?”
Then for a change of pace after dinner came the Community Group Showcase which
highlighted several community groups and what they are doing - from education to
peace to environmental issues. Information was distributed at the Festival and is also in
the program booklet on how to get involved with these groups.
And for those who were able to last that long, there was the grand Saturday evening
finale- a program filled with music, inspirational speakers, film and even Bible Rap.
Dorothy Cotton, colleague and close confidant of Dr. King, reminded us that Dr. King did
not create the civil rights movement himself; it was built by thousands of people who
organized and worked tirelessly to change society. And so too, she urged us to
continue organizing and working for the issues of today that will help to build a better
world. Rabbi Brian Walt reflected on the recent delegation that he organized to Israel
and the West Bank and the challenging issues of civil and human rights that must be
addressed.
Performance and music permeated the evening with Rev Rhetta Morgan’s soaring voice
opening the Saturday night program. The Young People’s Inspirational Choir of Mt.
Zion Baptist Church of Germantown enthused the audience with their renditions of
Grateful and “Siyahamba” a Zulu song. Filmmaker Steve Brand was there to show us
clips from his film on Heschel - bringing us more deeply in touch with the life and
teachings of Rabbi Heschel.
And what a treat it was to see the first ever performance of a rap song by Mishkan
Shalom and Mt.Zion teens that was based on the words and life of King and Heschel.
Hazzan Jack Kessler and the band Atzilut really rocked the sanctuary and had people
dancing in the aisles. Rabbi Waskow ended the Festival with the challenge to continue
working for peace and justice.
Although the scheduled activities were valuable, equally important were the individual
connections made during the programs and over break times and meals with both
strangers and old friends. Connections were made, networks established, and seeds
planted that will continue to bear fruit in the future.
Hopefully, as time goes on, we will move from strength to strength in building on that
work, inspired by the example of two genuine heroes who always saw central to their
mission, the committed, intense contributions of millions of other justice seekers like all
the people who attended the first ever Heschel-King Festival.