Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we re-encounter Dr. King’s vision of a more equitable society and his belief in the inherent dignity of every person. Judaism speaks in a similar moral language. The Torah commands: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” — “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). In Jewish life, this pursuit is never complete; it is a constant, ongoing obligation that calls on each of us to engage with fairness, compassion, and integrity every day, across generations, and in every aspect of our communities.

The history of Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights Movement illustrates this connection. Many Jewish leaders, students, rabbis, lawyers, and volunteers supported the struggle for civil rights out of a sense of ethical responsibility rooted in Jewish experience and teaching. Some worked within major civil rights organizations; others marched, registered voters, or contributed resources and legal expertise. During the early and mid-1960s, this activism placed Jews alongside Black Americans striving to dismantle segregation and expand access to voting and education. (See: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, “A Brief History of Jews and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s”)
https://rac.org/issues/civil-rights-voting-rights/brief-history-jews-and-civil-rights-movement-1960s

Still, history is rarely uniform. Not every Jewish individual or community participated in civil rights efforts to the same extent, and in some cities Jewish residents faced complicated pressures — their safety, livelihoods, and social acceptance were often tied to the dominant culture around them. For some, this led to hesitancy or quiet support rather than public activism. (See: My Jewish Learning, “Jews in the Civil Rights Movement”)
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jews-in-the-civil-rights-movement/

Holding both of these truths offers a healthier picture: a story that includes courage and solidarity as well as the realities of fear, risk, and social constraint. It reminds us that justice work, then and now, often asks individuals to navigate difficult circumstances and competing values.

If we bring that reflection into the present, Dr. King’s legacy calls us to embrace the ongoing responsibility of pursuing justice. This commitment asks us to support the dignity of others, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for fairness, and strengthen communities so that every person has the chance to thrive.

On this MLK Day, as we remember the coalition of people and movements that reshaped our country, we are invited to ask: How might we continue the work of tzedek in our own time? Whether through volunteerism, education, bridge-building, or acts of compassion, the pursuit of justice remains a pathway to healing, for ourselves, for our neighbors, and for the world we hope to create.

May Dr. King’s memory be a blessing, and may our traditions guide us to keep pursuing justice with humility, courage, and hope.

For those who want to explore contemporary Jewish engagement with racial equity and partnership, two organizations offer meaningful resources and community: Rekindle and the Jews of Color Initiative.

Rekindle is a fellowship program that brings emerging Black and Jewish leaders together for thoughtful conversation, relationship-building, and collaborative action, rooted in the historic alliance between Black and Jewish communities during the Civil Rights Movement; participants deepen understanding across backgrounds and work toward shared goals of equity and connection. You can learn more about Rekindle and its fellowship chapters at https://www.rekindlefellowship.org. 

The Jews of Color Initiative (JoCI) works to advance racial equity within the U.S. Jewish community by centering the leadership, experiences, and perspectives of Jews of Color; it supports research, grant-making, educational resources, and opportunities to engage with this work. Visit https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org to explore their resources and how to get involved.

If you would like to continue this conversation or share your own reflections, please reach out to the CUJF Jewish Family Service Coordinator at [email protected].