Sign In Forgot Password
Home

Temple Beth El Blog

Four Ways to Promote Racial Justice on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 

01/04/2022 12:04:40 PM

Jan4

During Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) weekend and all this month, we seek to turn our desire for racial justice into action. Here are four ways you can make the weekend more meaningful.

DONATE 

TBE is continuing its partnership with the Allied Wellness Center's Essentials Pantry for residents of the Allied neighborhood. In 2021, generous TBE members contributed over $5,000, which purchased thousands of critically needed health and hygiene products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, diapers, sanitizing wipes, tampons, shampoo, etc., as well as bus tickets, gas cards, and grocery cards. Allied Wellness Center is incredibly grateful to our community for this support, which especially during these difficult economic times and COVID pandemic, has proven to be absolutely essential to the Allied neighbors and most appreciated! 
This year Congregation Shaarei Shamayim is joining us in supporting the Allied Wellness Center and Allied neighbors. Can you or your family help us fulfill this mitzvah now, during this month of the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorations? The most efficient way to stock the shelves is to donate money so we can buy in bulk. You can make your tax-deductible donation right on the Temple website (select Allied Wellness Center as the donation type). You can also mail a check to Temple Beth El (2702 Arbor Drive, Madison, WI 53711) with “Allied Wellness Center” in the memo. 
Alternatively, you can drop off any of the following items in the Temple Beth El coatroom, and we’ll make sure they get to the Allied Wellness Center. 

  • Bars of soap
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Body wash
  • Shampoo
  • Deodorant
  • Razors
  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Diapers (all sizes)
  • Diaper wipes
  • Tampons
  • Sanitary pads
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Laundry pods
  • Surface cleaners
  • Sponges
  • Dish detergent 

 
The Allied Wellness Center also has an ongoing need for regular volunteers. Would you like to help purchase items with the donated funds and deliver it to the Wellness Center, and/or stock the pantry shelves? If interested, contact Betsy Abramson, co-chair of TBE's Racial Justice Action Team, at betsyabramson@gmail.com or 608-332-7867. 
We hope to raise funds to support many of these critical needs as part of our mitzvah in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and again mid-year, around Juneteenth. 

PARTICIPATE 

Be part of the 37th annual Madison-Dane County MLK Day Observance on Monday, January 17, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, virtually. This annual observance includes presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Award by City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. Noted musician Leotha Stanley will again lead the MLK Community Choir. The event will feature keynote speaker Ilyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X and award-winning author, educator, and producer. Temple Beth El is proud to again be a bronze sponsor of this observance. 
The greater Dane County community offers a number of interesting important events on this weekend as well. You can find several listed here. This site is updated every few days, so continue to check back for new additions.
We also encourage you to purchase a meal from a Black-owned eatery over MLK weekend as part of your commemoration and commitment to racial justice and spreading wealth around. Consider trying a few over the weekend, and then make a commitment to add them to your takeout options.
 
ADVOCATE

Join the URJ Religious Action Center in the push for voting rights. We must continue to call on our two Wisconsin senators, Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, and the White House to urge them to reform the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act immediately. It’s easy and quick to make these calls—you can find the instructions here. We must keep the pressure on until these bills become law.
 
EDUCATE 

Join TBE for a Shabbat Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 14 at 7:30 pm. Our special Shabbat worship will reflect on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Reuben Anthony, CEO of Urban League will share remarks via video.

Join our Me and White Supremacy Discussion Group materials provided. First meeting is Wednesday, January 19 at 8:00 pm on Zoom. Learn more and register here.

April 30, 2025 2 Iyar 5785