September 26, 2026 – 4:00 PM
All First Congregational member families are welcome to attend this performance at no charge. Our suggested donation is $10.
WHEN THE RABBIS CAME TO TOWN
Saturday, September 26 at 4 PM
On June 18, 1964 sixteen rabbis answered Rev. Martin Luther King’s call to join a St. Augustine Florida civil rights protest at the Monson Motor Lodge. Arriving after months of beatings, shootings, and bombings, the rabbis staged a parking lot anti-segregation sit-in with King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. As the rabbis were being arrested, the lodge manager simultaneously dumped muriatic acid on black and white teens trying to desegregate his swimming pool. A national outcry over the largest arrest of rabbis in American history, and the racist dousing of the teens, led to Senate passage of the Civil Rights Act the following day.
This stage play tells the story of Rabbi Secher’s 70-year battle against antisemitism and for civil rights. Direct from sold out performances in Chicago and Florida, this show is followed by a VIP with Adam Bell, Rabbi Secher, Director Diane VanWesep and the playwrights. It is a separate ticketed event at the church immediately following the play.
Rabbi Secher worked directly with Rev. King on protests in Albany Georgia and St. Augustine. He is one of the last survivors of the group of 16 rabbis arrested in St. Augustine in a protest that led directly to passage of the Civil Rights Act. Rabbi Secher, 91 is joined by his wife Ina Secher who is well known for writing and speaking on the issue of elder independence. She has also been a leader in the interfaith community for many years.
Tickets for the play and the VIP can be ordered HERE. They can also can also be ordered via the QR codes on the FLYER. First Congregational members and students with ID are admitted to the show free.
Donations supporting nationwide travel of this Muskegon based play can be made via heartland-iff.org, or mailing to 2441 Westwood St. Muskegon, MI 49441.
Anyone who has questions can reach me directly at (231) 720-0930 or email me at rogerdrapoport@me.com.
https://www.fccmuskegon.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/7/WhenTheRabbisCame2PageFlyer.pdf