Events honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and the JCC held programs highlighting the shared history and ongoing work of Black–Jewish relations. On Jan. 15—King’s birthday—the JCRC welcomed more than 55 community members for “From Exodus to Freedom Rides: Jewish and Black Americans Marching Together for Civil Rights.” In this lunch and learn, Dr. Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich and Dr. Adam Fuller, YSU professors, explored the historic partnership between Black and Jewish communities during the Civil Rights Movement and reflected on where that relationship stands today. Their message emphasized mutual support, solidarity, and the responsibility to continue showing up for one another. The week of commemoration concluded on Jan. 21 with a Film Series event, co-sponsored by the JCC and the JCRC, featuring the powerful documentary “Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round.” Fifty people attended the showing of this film, which tells the remarkable and little-known story of the 1960 desegregation protests at Glen Echo Amusement Park, sparked when five Howard University students sat on a whites-only carousel. When white neighbors, largely Jewish, joined Black students on the picket lines, an unprecedented alliance was formed—one that drew national attention. “Together, these programs honored Dr. King’s legacy by reminding the community that meaningful social change is built through partnership, shared action, and a continued commitment to justice across communities,” said Melissa Bateman, Federation director of community engagement.