Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – A Shared Struggle for Justice
- Balance Learning Resources
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 6-8
Duration of videos: Under 13 minutes total
Themes: Shared struggle for justice, interfaith and interracial solidarity, friendship, respect
Lesson Overview:
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were united by a deep commitment to justice and human dignity. Heschel, a Jewish theologian and Holocaust survivor, believed that the fight for Black civil rights was a moral and spiritual imperative. He famously marched alongside Dr. King during the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, later saying, “I felt my legs were praying.”
Their friendship and activism demonstrated the power of interfaith and interracial solidarity, proving that the fight for justice knows no boundaries. Through this lesson, students will explore how Jewish and Black communities stood together for civil rights and discuss the lasting impact of their alliance on modern movements.
This lesson brings history to life by showing how faith, justice, and activism intersect. It teaches students that real change happens when people unite across differences. By connecting past struggles to modern movements, students will feel empowered to stand for justice in their own communities.
Essential Questions:
What challenges did Jewish and Black communities face historically?
Why did Rabbi Heschel and Dr. King see civil rights as a moral and spiritual calling?
What does it mean to “pray with our feet,” as Heschel described the Selma march?
How can we apply the lessons from Heschel and King’s partnership to modern activism?
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:- Explain how Rabbi Heschel and Dr. King worked together in the fight for civil rights.- Discuss how faith and morality inspired activism.- Analyze primary sources to understand Heschel and King’s perspectives on justice.- Reflect on how interfaith and interracial solidarity remains relevant today.
1. Introduction: Understanding Shared Struggles (10 min)
Warm-Up Discussion:
“What does it mean to stand in solidarity with another community?”
“Have you ever supported a friend or group in their struggle for fairness?”
“Why might people from different backgrounds unite for a common cause?”
📢 Teacher Mini-Lesson:
Jewish Americans and Black Americans both faced discrimination—from antisemitism to segregation.
Rabbi Heschel, a Holocaust survivor, saw parallels between Jewish oppression and Black oppression.
Dr. King believed that justice was universal and worked to build coalitions with different groups.
Together, they marched, fought for voting rights, and called for unity in justice.
2. Historical Context: Two Leaders, One Fight for Justice (15 min)
Introduce Rabbi Heschel & Dr. King’s friendship.
Show the 2-minute video featuring Heschel and King at Selma.
Discussion Question: What does it mean to “pray with our feet”?
3. Primary Source Analysis: Words That Inspired a Movement (20 min)
Divide the class into small groups.
Assign each group a passage from Heschel’s writings or King’s speeches.
Guiding Questions:
What key message is the leader conveying?
How does the leader describe justice, equality, or faith?
How does this message apply to today’s world?
Group Share-Out: Each group summarizes their passage and explains its relevance.
4. Interactive Discussion: The Meaning of Solidarity (15 min)
Class Discussion:
Why did faith and moral responsibility inspire both men to act?
How did their communities work together to push for civil rights?
Where do we see similar alliances today? (Examples: racial justice, immigrant rights, religious tolerance.)
5. Creative Activity: Writing for Justice (30 min)
In small groups, students will write either:
A short speech inspired by Heschel and King’s messages on justice.
A poem reflecting on interfaith and inter-community solidarity.
💡 Presentation Differentiation
Groups can perform their speech or read their poem aloud.
Alternatively, they can illustrate their message with a visual display.
6. Reflection & Closing Discussion (10 min)
Class Discussion:
“What did Heschel and King teach us about justice?”
“How can we honor their legacy today?”
“Why is it important for different groups to stand together in the fight for equality?”
📌 Exit Ticket – Written Reflection: Students write one paragraph answering:
“What does it mean to ‘pray with our feet,’ and how can we apply this idea to today’s world?”
