A Night of Community, Service & Jewish Tradition

On Jan. 16, community bridge builders and members, neighbors, journalists, and students gathered for Repair the World’s third annual MLK Weekend Shabbat at Atlanta’s Historic Oakland Cemetery.

Repair the World’s mission for the weekend centered on the Jewish value of tzedek, or justice, grounding the events in a shared commitment to service, dignity, and collective responsibility.

Participants first took part in a guided tour of Oakland Cemetery. Being physically present at an historic Atlanta site, known for honoring legacy, set a meaningful tone for a weekend dedicated to uplifting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through action. Following the tour, guests transitioned into the Shabbat gathering, where service was immediately woven into the experience. Upon entering the Shabbat space, attendees assembled warming kits for the Elizabeth Foundation, filling bags with neck warmers, hats, mittens, and ChapStick. Beginning the evening with a hands-on service project reinforced the idea that justice and care start with tangible action.

Sheefra Blumenthal, city director of Repair the World Atlanta, opened the program by emphasizing the diversity of people in the room. She highlighted how the gathering reflected shared values of dignity, compassion, and service, and underscored the importance of honoring Dr. King’s legacy through doing, rather than simply speaking. Hosting the community dinner in Atlanta carried added significance, as it marked the start of a weekend of service in Dr. King’s hometown.

The evening was intentionally designed to showcase the relationships and bridge-building Repair the World has fostered through its programming. From the students selected to speak to the service partners invited to share their work, guests were offered a glimpse into the breadth of the organization’s impact. Shabbat provided a meaningful framework for reflection, connection, and shared responsibility.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. DeJuan Luke, executive at Grace Baptist Church and adjunct professor at Mercer University. Luke challenged participants to consider how values are made visible through action. “The question is always, ‘What are you doing?’” she said, emphasizing that service transforms ideals into lived commitments.

Her remarks flowed directly into a Shabbat ritual that invited participants to pause and be present. Candle lighting offered a moment of intention, as guests covered their eyes and reflected together, grounding the evening in tradition and mindfulness.

A kosher meal followed, creating space for conversation and community. Three students then shared reflections on their involvement with Repair the World: Thurneisha Keys, a Master of medical science student at Agnes Scott College, class of 2026; Chloe Glazer, Emory University, class of 2026; and Linden Young of Morehouse College. Glazer, who participated in the Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow forum, spoke about the importance of cross-cultural dialogue. “One thing people often get wrong is thinking that we can fight hate within our own communities alone,” she said, noting that spaces for honest conversation help people leave with greater understanding and shared responsibility.

Young reflected on the deeper meaning of service, saying, “Repairing the world doesn’t just require us to do good. It requires us to look honestly at our responsibility to one another.”

The program continued with cake in celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, followed by remarks from Repair the World service partners. Alice Lovelace, founder and director of the Atlanta ArtsXchange, spoke about the role of creativity in social change. “Art is how you make meaning in the world,” she shared. She also reminded guests, “When we are in service to others, we aren’t there to save others. They may actually be there to save us.”

Tracy Thompson, founder and director of the Elizabeth Foundation, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the joy and connection that come from building relationships through service.

Service remained central through the end of the evening. Participants packed leftover food to be delivered directly to people experiencing homelessness, reinforcing the message that care does not end when the program does.

The Shabbat gathering was one of many events held throughout MLK Weekend. Sara Slag, senior program associate at Repair the World Atlanta, shared that the organization ran or partnered in 23 service opportunities across the city. Highlights included tree planting with Trees Atlanta at Oakland Cemetery, planting with the Daffodil Project at Dunwoody Nature Center, meal preparation and sharing with Covenant House of Georgia, food distribution at the Toco Alliance Community Center, and youth programming at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, The Weber School, and The Davis Academy. Repair the World also partnered with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, The Sandwich Project, and Rebecca’s Tent.

To learn more about getting involved with Repair the World Atlanta, visit werepair.org/communities/atlanta.