The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage announces a special opportunity for the community to come together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day which is Monday, January 20, 2020 to celebrate the life and legacy of the iconic civil rights activist. The all-day event is free and open to the public and features three special programs, including a sermon by Cleveland’s own Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. at 10:30am, a performance by the Evelyn Wright Quartet at 1pm, and a documentary film screening of “Soundtrack for a Revolution: Freedom Songs from the Civil Rights Era” with talk-back by Kyle Kidd at 3pm. Guests are invited to tour the galleries and participate in family friendly hands-on crafts and activities at no cost, 11am – 5pm. For more information, please visit www.maltzmuseum.org/MLK or call 216-593-0575.
Program Schedule
10:30AM
SERMON BY THE REVEREND DR. OTIS MOSS, JR. WITH INTERVIEW BY DR. SHARON MILLIGAN + Q&A
This program will be held next door to the Maltz Museum, at The Temple-Tifereth Israel
In partnership with The Temple-Tifereth Israel, the Maltz Museum invites the public to experience a sermon from Dr. King’s friend and fellow civil rights activist, Cleveland icon The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2020. Dr. Moss will deliver a message of hope, perseverance, and resilience as he recalls the days of walking alongside Dr. King and discusses how he is still walking with the community in the fight for civil rights today. The program begins at 10:30am with welcoming remarks from Rabbi Jonathan Cohen, a sermon by Dr. Moss who will then be interviewed by Dr. Sharon Milligan, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair of the Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) at Case Western Reserve University. Audience Q&A follows.
David Schafer, Maltz Museum’s Managing Director said, “Reverend Moss is a founding member of the Maltz Museum. I’ve known him many years. Each opportunity I have to talk to him is a gift. He lifts me up, as he does everyone who meets him. We are honored that he will join us on this important day to share his wisdom and perspective.”
The sermon will be held at The Temple-Tifereth Israel (26000 Shaker Blvd, Beachwood). Free and open to the public. Registrations are encouraged to guarantee seating. Visit www.maltzmuseum.org/MLK or call 216-593-0575.
1:00PM
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY THE EVELYN WRIGHT QUARTET
The Evelyn Wright Quartet performs a varied concert of blues, jazz, gospel and songs from the Great American Songbook in a free one hour concert in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joe Hunter (piano), Daris Adkens (guitar), George Lee (bass), and special guest Kevin Richards (guitar) perform with Evelyn in the Maltz Museum’s intimate 70 seat theater. This annual performance fills up fast and seats are on a first-come basis so please arrive early to guarantee a spot.
3:00PM
DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING OF “SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION: FREEDOM SONGS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA” + TALK-BACK WITH KYLE KIDD
On picket lines, in organizational meetings, even in police wagons and jail cells, songs of protest and inspiration helped drive the civil rights movement. Showcasing many of those songs, this stirring documentary explores the history of the era through archival footage, interviews with key civil rights activists, and performances by contemporary artists assembled specifically for the film. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, former NAACP chairman Julian Bond, freedom rider Hank Thomas, civil rights organizer Jim Lawson, former King aide Dorothy Cotton, and music legend Harry Belafonte are among those interviewed. On-camera performers include John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots. Featured songs: “Wade in the Water,” “This May Be the Last Time,” “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round,” “We Shall Not Be Moved,” and more. Running time is 82 minutes and guests are invited to participate in a talk-back with musician and award-winning Stop the Hate educator, Kyle Kidd. Film screenings often fill up fast and seats are on a first-come basis so please arrive early to guarantee a spot.
11AM – 5PM
TOUR MUSEUM GALLERIES & PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES
Family-friendly crafts and activities engage visitors of all ages in hands-on fun. Stop by a variety of interactive tables to design your own protest signs, make peace, love, and macaroni necklaces, go on scavenger hunts, and more. Plus, explore the core galleries and our special exhibition, Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music. This is the first large-scale museum exhibition to illustrate the famed conductor and composer’s life, Jewish identity, and social activism. Created by the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) in Philadelphia to coincide with the maestro’s 100th birthday, the exhibition features approximately 100 historic artifacts and photographs— from Bernstein’s piano and conducting suit to family heirlooms—along with original films and immersive sound installations.
The Maltz Museum is located at 2929 Richmond Rd in Beachwood. For more information, please visit www.maltzmuseum.org/MLK or call 216-593-0575.
