Heschel Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Heschel students across divisions came together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through meaningful learning, reflection, and shared experiences.
The Lower School gathered for an assembly in the Roanna Shorofsky Theater, where Grade 1 students proudly marched in carrying signs that expressed causes they feel strongly about. created in partnership with their Grade 8 buddies. Peter Geffen, who also spoke earlier in the week with Grade 3 and Grade 5 students, addressed the Lower School community, sharing Dr. King’s enduring message and its relevance for young people today. As part of the program, Grade 5 students presented first-person accounts from children who participated in the Civil Rights Movement, bringing history to life through their thoughtful retellings. The assembly also featured a choral performance honoring Dr. King and concluded with his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Earlier in the week, Peter Geffen spoke with Grade 3 and Grade 5 students about Dr. King and his close relationship with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. He was joined by his lifelong friend Rabbi Moshe (Mickey) Shur, who stood, literally, beside him during the Civil Rights Movement. Together, they shared stories from their time in South Carolina, where they went door to door registering African Americans to vote. Grade 5 students prepared interview questions and listened with curiosity and respect as Peter and Moshe reflected on their experiences.
At the High School assembly, students heard a powerful conversation between Damian Williams and Ariela Dubler. Damian Williams served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2021 to 2024 and was the first African American to hold that position. In 2024, Time magazine named him one of the world’s most influential rising leaders.
Heschel’s Middle School will continue this week of learning and reflection with an upcoming assembly honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
