A Welcome From Rabbi Greg Weisman
Chair, Jewish Community Relations Council
I’m excited to share with you two upcoming community events, both of which represent a wonderful partnership between the Black and Jewish communities of Boca Raton.
As some of you may know, this past spring the Florida Legislature passed a measure to dedicate Lois D. Martin Way in Pearl City. Lois Martin was a longtime civic leader in the community, and after her recent passing the local community advocated that her memory be celebrated. Thanks to DISC (Developing Interracial Social Change) who worked to lobby the Boca Raton City Council and then with State Sen. Tina Polsky, the block of Glades Road between Dixie Highway and Federal Highway will be known as Lois D. Martin Way. On Saturday, September 23, 2023, a dedication ceremony was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Boca Raton.
Later this fall, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County will be partnering with the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum of Delray Beach to present at screening of Crossing Overtown, an examination of the role that the Overtown community of Miami had in the national civil rights movement. Jewish filmmakers Scott Barnett and Johanna Vega led the project. The screening will take place on Wednesday, October 11 at 6 pm at the Cornell Museum at Old School Square in Delray Beach. You can follow this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spady-museum-jewish-federation-of-spbc-present-crossing-overtown-tickets-685795321267
Registration is required for the screening of Crossing Overtown.
DISC, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, and the Jewish Federation are each important community partners of ours, and I am excited to see the fruits of their labors!
These two events, in the first few weeks of the new year 5784, represent wonderful opportunities to celebrate and deepen the Black-Jewish relationship in our community. As we enter into the new year together, may it be a year of goodness, sweetness, and lead us to a more just and equitable community.
Shana tova!
Rabbi Greg Weisman
Pronouns he/him/his