KEEPING MLK'S DREAM ALIVE THROUGH HARMONY.

Byline: HOLLY J. ANDRES Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS -- Choral voices will harmonize with songs of good will and brotherly love during ``Martin Luther King Jr.: Keeping the Dream Alive!,'' a concert scheduled for 7:30 tonight at Temple Kol Tikvah.

The concert honoring the Baptist minister and the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize recipient is a collaborative effort by Temple Kol Tikvah, Temple Aliyah and St. Bernardine of Siena Catholic Church, all in Woodland Hills; Temple Judea in Tarzana; New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in San Fernando; and Calvary Baptist Church on West 59th Street in Los Angeles.

``The first thing I think of about Martin Luther King is his `I Have a Dream' (speech) and that we can be all together. It's so important to keep that alive,'' said Cantor Caren Glasser of Temple Kol Tikvah. ``The goal is to bring communities together -- the interfaith and the Jewish communities.''

Temple Kol Tikvah usually marks MLK Day during a Friday Shabbat service. But organizers wanted to reach a wider audience this year for their program recalling King's nonviolent leadership for racial equality and justice and a colorblind society.

``It's our philosophy that music speaks to everyone,'' Glasser said of the choral performance. ``We're going to make a joyful noise. We hope people will be clapping and dancing in their seats.''

The congregations of Calvary Baptist and Temple Kol Tikvah have joined for several interfaith services in recent years.

Calvary Baptist's pastor Virgil Jones said tonight's multifaith, interracial gathering is a way to honor the King Day holiday and recognize the civil rights leader for his impact on American society.

``The most appropriate way is by looking into one's soul and asking, who did I befriend today? Who did I fight for today? Who did I love today? Who did I defend today? And, if I didn't do any of those, why didn't I?''

The program will include an eclectic mix of songs: gospel, songs sung in Hebrew and ``Peace from the Mouths of Babes,'' newly co-written for this event by Hazzan Mike Stein from Temple Aliyah.

``Jews and African-Americans have always faced discrimination and, at one time, we were partners,'' Stein said. ``Jews were heavily involved in the civil-rights movement. I don't want people to forget that.''

Concert-goers will have an opportunity to participate in three closing songs before the cantors and rabbis deliver a closing blessing.

``I hope people will walk out with a big smile and be talking with their neighbors with whom they sat,'' Stein said. ``I hope they think that they really are part of a larger community.''

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

[phone]

`Martin Luther King Jr.: Keeping the Dream Alive!'

WHEN: 7:30 tonight.

WHERE: Temple Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills.

INFO: Free. Call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Temple Kol Tikvah Cantor Caren Glasser will participate in a musical tribute tonight to Martin Luther King Jr.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

Box:

`Martin Luther King Jr.: Keeping the Dream Alive!' (see text)