'Shared Journeys' theme for MLK Jr. Shabbat program

By Jewish Review

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Parashat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) is read each year on Shabbat Shira, which celebrates the crossing of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt.

This year, Shabbat Shira coincides with the holiday honoring slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In celebration of shared journeys from slavery to deliverance, Senator Margaret Carter (D-Portland, District 22) will speak at Temple Beth Israel Shabbat services Jan. 18.

The service also will include a selection of songs from the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus, a local group started nine years ago under the influence of James DePriest at the Oregon Symphony.

Margaret Carter was the first African American woman elected to the Oregon House in 1984. In 2000, she was elected to the Oregon Senate, and in January 2005 as Senate president pro tempore.

For her work, Carter has received numerous awards including the Elliott Human Rights Award, the “Legislator of the Year” award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, The Portland Observer Community Award for “service to the youth of our city,” the “Mary Rieke Award” from the Oregon Women Political Caucus, “Friend of Nursing” from the Oregon Nurses Association, and special recognition from the Oregon Health Forum in February 2005 for “tireless efforts to improve health care for all Oregonians.”

As a legislator, she has helped to create the Oregon Convention Center, a permanent state Head Start Program, the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, was the chief sponsor of the Oregon Anti-Apartheid Act (South Africa Divestiture) of 1987, the Oregon Human Rights & (Sudan) Anti-Genocide Act of 2005, the bill to establish a state holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., legislation to protect the scenic waterfalls of the Columbia Gorge and wetlands protection, advocacy for emerging, minority and women businesses, and funding for the Portland Public Schools.

Kabbalat Shabbat services on Jan. 18 begin at 6 p.m. in the Temple sanctuary (1931 NW Flanders St.).  The community is welcome to this celebration of freedom.  For more information, contact the Temple office at 503-222-1069.