To honor the occasion, many Passaic County venues are gearing up to celebrate, offering everything from lectures to worship services and volunteer opportunities. A sampling is listed below. Feel free to add additional events to our events calendar.
Friday, Jan. l5
Wayne: Rabbi Israel Dresner, who personally knew Dr. King, and was just steps away from him during his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, will speak about his experience with the iconic Civil Rights leader at Temple Beth Tikvah at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate King: 950 Preakness Ave., (973) 595-6565, www.templebethtikvahnj.org/.
Monday, Jan. 18
Wayne: As part of the National Day of Service honoring Dr. King Jersey Cares hosts "Be a Winner in Wayne" at Care One from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed to make no sew fleece blankets and lead a Bingo game with residents. Celebrate King: Details on website HERE.
Paterson: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Center of United Methodist Aid to the Community/Ecumenically Concerned Helping Others aka CUMAC/ECHO needs volunteers to sort food donations. Celebrate King: Details and sign-up HERE.
Bloomfield: Although out of county, Bloomfield's 14th annual MLK Holiday Observance Program, hosted by the New Light Baptist Church (NLBC) at 4 p.m., is expected to draw a large audience from Bergen and Passaic. This year’s theme, “What Are You Doing for Others?”, borrows from Dr. King’s 1957 “Conquering Self-Centeredness” speech given at Dexter Avenue Church in Montgomery, Alabama. There will be music and oral presentations and a keynote speech by the Rev. Michael Jordan of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in East Orange. Attendees are asked to donate a non-perishable food item to Bloomfield’s food drive. Celebrate King: (973) 338-5888.
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