Uniting community voices to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sunday, February 5th.

This weekend, in celebration of Black History Month, the soulful singing voices of the Long Island community come together for a musical celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest leaders of our time who worked tirelessly for social justice.

On Sunday, February 5, at 4:30 pm, the Lake Success Jewish Center in Great Neck will host a “Together as a Community in Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” event. The event will serve as a heartfelt musical tribute to the late Dr. King. Two highly acclaimed choirs will perform on Sunday afternoon: the Long Island Shireinu Choir, directed by Deborah Tartell, and the Freeport Baptist Church Mass Choir, directed by Rev. Anthony Brown and Rev. LaChrista Brown.

The event will also raise funds to support the Nassau County Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) and St. John’s Baptist Church in Westbury.

Judy Liman, board member of HMTC, explained that at Sunday’s “Together as a Community” event, members of these choirs will perform together to promote love and peace through music. Liman explains that the mission of the Nassau County HMTC is to teach the history of the Holocaust and its lessons through education and community outreach. The center teaches about the dangers of anti-Semitism, racism, bullying and all manifestations of intolerance. “And that brings it all back to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was this inspiring leader who, through his words and actions, stood up to adversity and inspired generations to do the same.” His legacy reminds us to continue to be honest and find ways to uplift and love our fellowmen.”

The Long Island Shireinu Choir was founded in 2017 to celebrate Jewish culture and history through music. The choir features traditional and contemporary composers. According to choir director Deborah Tartel, the songs are sung in many languages: English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino and Italian. “Our members come from all over Long Island. In addition, we have members from Queens and Manhattan. Although the choir focuses on Jewish choral music, it is non-denominational and welcomes members of all faith levels and nationalities to audition. In this Sunday concert we have songs that reflect the term: Tikkun Olam, which means “fix the world”. We have a responsibility to uplift and improve our communities, our world.”

Thanks to Shirain’s efforts, the mass choir of Freeport Baptist Church enthusiastically joined in this event. The choir is dedicated to and seeks to uplift the people of God through song. Reverend Lachrista Brown comments: “No matter what language we speak, where we come from, or what color we are, music proves that we are the same. We are one.”

The event was hosted by nationally recognized educator and writer Dr. Anael Alston. Alston is currently Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Access, Equity and Community Engagement in the New York State Department of Education. Dr. Alston has been a staunch advocate of expanding educational opportunities and support for thousands of young people of color in New York State to improve their school and life outcomes. Alston oversees the historic My Brother’s Keeper Alliance created by President Barack Obama to improve outcomes for boys and boys of color.”

“Together as a Community” will be held at the Lake Success Jewish Center located at 354 Lakeville Road, Great Neck starting at 4:30 pm. Tickets are $20 each. Call 516-466-0569 X 1 to purchase tickets or email venmo @lsjc354.