The shofar was sounded, summoning us to join America’s Journey for Justice sponsored by the NAACP — a 40-day 860-mile march from Selma, Alabama to Washington DC. After a summer of racial tensions, church burnings in the South and murders in Charleston, close to 200 rabbis responded from all over the nation, each committed to march a one day leg of the journey.
We were privileged to be among the ten rabbis who joined Thursday’s march. We 
would walk side by side with our congregants and with our partners from the NAACP both lay and professional. At the front was the American flag, the Torah (which each of us took turns carrying) and on that day, the president of the NAACP Cornell William Brooks. We were escorted on both sides by police as we journeyed towards justice through rural South Carolina.
We encountered various reactions along our way. One man flew a confederate flag from his truck and drove back-and-forth following us through the day. The march drew some opposition including a group of people gathered around the gas station to boo and catcall us. However for the most part those views were overshadowed by the smiles, support, waves, welcome and warmth with which we were greeted.
One shop owner, Cody Weaver, was so distressed by the Confederate flags that were brought out just for us that she rushed ahead to her supermarket to chop up some salad and cook some hot dogs so that we would all be well fed. She nourished not only our bodies but our spirits.
As we shared meals and miles, we strengthened our bonds and our commitment to our common cause. We listened to each other’s struggles and shared our stories. Now we return to our respective cities inspired and determined to bring the journey for justice home.
2 Responses
Selma was long time ago. Blacks need to quit making excuses and blaming racism for their problems. White and Jewish liberals need to stop making excuses for black bad behavior and enabling behavior that we would never tolerate in our own community. Patronizing and condescending blacks by telling them its ok, its just slavery, its just racism that make you act the way you do. You’re just acting black by……. name any pathology within black communities that keep them from achieving their potential. The more time that passes from the terrible racial events of our national past, the less sympathy blacks deserve. In particular, Jews risk their lives and reputations for blacks and in return Jews get nothing. No support for Israel, no support over black antisemitism (or antisemitism of any kind), no support for Jews in Europe. I am tired of Jewish liberals giving away the farm for free– and squandering Jewish time, energy, money and credibility on blacks who do nothing for Jews.
Congratulations. I hope no one got sunburned.
I was living in LA during the riots and saw the horrors and heartbreaks of racism. I am so proud of Temple Beth El and Rabbi Judy and others who have gone on a “walk for justice”. We need to keep on walking together. Barbara