Ridgewood Superintendent Invites Community To MLK Jr. Celebration

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Superintendent Daniel Fishbein encouraged parents to bring their children to the village's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Monday.

The celebration at Ridgewood United Methodist Church honors King's life and legacy of nonviolence and as a civil rights leader. The theme of this year's service is "Together in Hope." The service is a joint effort between Ridgewood and Glen Rock residents.

Imam Zaid Shakir will be the guest speaker at the interfaith worship service.

"He is a well-respected and much sought-after lecturer on African-American issues and Islam in the American context," Fishbein said of Shakir in a letter to parents Wednesday. "We welcome his insights and inspiration as we share Dr. King's hopeful message of finding common ground and working together to create positive change."

RELATED: Annual Ridgewood-Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Is Jan. 16

More than 20 religious groups, local government and civic organizations support and participate in the celebration. Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and performances by the Indian HIlls Chamber Choir and the Men of Umoja Chorus.

The 10 a.m. service will be followed by an outdoor rally and lunch.

"Please communicate the value of this remembrance celebration to your children," Fishbein said.

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Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., — Public domain image