Singing The Dream 2019: Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr

On Sunday, January 27, 2019, Temple Emanu-El, a nearly 100 year-old Jewish congregation and leading New England synagogue, will present Singing the Dream, a special afternoon of musical tribute to commemorate the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Singers of all ages, races and faiths will perform in a chorus with special guest artist Joshua Nelson, The Prince of Kosher Gospel, in a program that includes a diverse selection of works including gospel hymns, spirituals, Jewish hymns and contemporary compositions. Guest speakers Rabbi Wayne Franklin, senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El; Reverend Chontell Washington, president, Rhode Island State Council of Churches; Mr. Venson Jordon, author of “The Rebel Marcus Madison;” and Mr. Beau Stubblefield-Tave, managing principal, The Center for Culturally Fluent Leadership will each offer a reflection on the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Singing the Dream will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Temple located at 99 Taft Avenue in Providence, R.I. The ticketed concert is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased at Temple Emanu-El or online at www.singingthedream2019.eventbrite.com Seating is General Admission.

Featured special guest for Singing the Dream is Joshua Nelson, a soulful pianist/singer and recording artist known as “The Prince of Kosher Gospel.” Born and raised Jewish, Mr. Nelson is an African-American from South Orange, N.J. who was greatly influenced by Mahalia Jackson (the Queen of Gospel Music). Mr. Nelson has performed around the world for presidents, a prime minister, and Oprah Winfrey. He has also sung with the Wynton Marsalis, Billy Preston and the late Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie, and served as the subject of an acclaimed documentary film entitled “Keep on Walking.”

Singing the Dream is a unique civic and cultural event that brings singers together for an afternoon of song and fellowship. Led by Temple Emanu-El’s hazzan, Cantor Dr. Brian J. Mayer, and a production team of seasoned professionals, the ticketed concert will be held in the Temple’s 700-person capacity sanctuary and is open to the public. Singing the Dream is supported by a grant from the Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“We are excited to bring people of all faiths together to sing out in the name of social justice in honor of Dr. King,” states Miriam A. Ross, Esq., event founder/producer and member of Temple Emanu-El. “Singing the Dream is about bringing people from all walks of life, faith, race and nationality together to celebrate diversity, encourage inclusion and cultivate the human connection. We will sing out in harmony and unity, reflecting not only Dr. King’s goals but our hopes that the change he inspired continues to ever-widening spheres. Music can bring everyone together.”

For more information about Singing the Dream 2019, contact Miriam A. Ross, Esq., Temple Emanu-El, 401-331-1616.