Did you know Greater Philadelphia is home to the largest Martin Luther King Day of Service in the nation? Commemorating its 28th anniversary, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has a number of opportunities to take action on January 16 and to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during Black History Month in February.
Check out the following ways to ensure that your MLK Day is a day on – not a day off:
Chew Recreation Center's ‘Renew & Protect’
Monday, January 16 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Chew Recreation Center
Volunteer with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and Global Citizen to refresh the Chew Recreation Center center by removing weeds and debris, paint exterior/interior walls, and protect the greens by covering soil in hopes of producing vibrant reflections of hope and inspiration to the community in Spring 2023. Prior to breaking into groups, enjoy a continental breakfast, entertainment and lunch. To register, click here.
Day of Service in Wissahickon Valley Park
Monday, January 16 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wissahickon Valley Park
This year, JCRC in partnership with Global Citizen will host a clean-up beneath and around the recently reopened bridges that connect Forbidden Drive to the paved bike path. By removing this litter, you will not only make this area of the park more beautiful, but you will also keep the watershed healthier for all! Give back to the park, its users, the creek, and the plants and animals that rely on it to live. To register, click here.
MLK – Tu B’Shevat Day of Service for the Trees
Monday, January 16 |10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ambler Arboretum of Temple University
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Jewish value of caring for the Earth. The Buxmont Kehillah and jkidphilly invite you to a day of fun exploration and restoration preparation of tornado-damaged forests. Dress for the weather — the program will start outside with scavenger hunts and digging! Warming treats, games, and indoor stories will follow. Exact location and parking details after registration. Recommended for ages 3–8 (siblings always welcome!). To register, click here.
‘The Mountaintop’ by Katori Hall
February 1 - 26
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester
“The Mountaintop” is a fictional reimagination of the events taking place the night before the assassination of Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King. The play is a poetic and gripping inspiration from Katori Hall, the Tony Award-nominee, Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winning playwright and television creator/producer hailing from Memphis, Tennessee.
The theater is offering a promo code (JCRC5) for a $5 discount on all full-priced tickets, in addition to waiving the ticket processing fee. To register, click here.
Reflections on ‘The Mountaintop’: A Conversation with the Director and Lead Actor, Ryan George and Chaz Rosen
Monday, February 6 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Virtual
JCRC and the Chester County Kehillah invite you to a private discussion with Ryan George, director, and Chaz Rosen, actor, about the themes of the play, "The Mountaintop," by esteemed playwright Katori Hall. This session is open to people who have watched the play, or plan to attend a performance in the future. To register, click here.
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To see a full lineup of MLK Day of Service programs sponsored by Global Citizen, click here. For questions about any of the Jewish Community Relations Council programs, contact Julian Morein, JCRC Program Associate, at jmorein@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0651