Rabbi, Former Civil Rights Lawyer to Speak at MLK Tribute

Danvers has chosen a keynote speaker for its tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. to be held in the Danvers High School atrium Monday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Rabbi Howard Mandell, who spent his legal career in the ‘60s fighting for civil rights, will give the featured speech, reported The Salem News. Currently, Mandell serves Congregation Beth Israel in Andover, is also a Merrimack College professor of religious and theological studies.

But he has a deep background in protecting civil rights.

In the ‘60s Mandell was a practicing attorney in Alabama at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery. Eventually he became the chairman of the SPLC, served as the city attorney for Montgomery and opened the first integrated law firm in Mobile.

The tribute to King is called “Celebrate and Serve: Honoring Dr. King’s legacy in word and in deed.” Along with Mandell’s speech, The Follow Hymn Chorus, the Unitarian Universalist choir, the Danvers High Chamber Singers and the St. John’s Prep a cappella ensemble “Swingtown!” will all perform, reported the Salem News.

The event is organized by the Danvers Committee for Diversity and Danvers Public Schools.