As students arrived to take their midterm exams on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they were greeted with interactive, thought-provoking visual displays in the atrium honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, created by the RKYHS history department.

Students reflected on how they can bring into reality Dr. King’s famous quote: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” Students spread their answers to this “most persistent and urgent question” along the windows of the Beit Medrash on colorful post-it notes, showing the myriad ways that students plan to continue MLK’s legacy of positive social action.

Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights movement is an important part of their heritage as both Jews and Americans. Students looked at photographs, quotes and information about these events which highlighted Jewish leaders’ work with Dr. King in the movement, listened to the iconic protest songs of the era and reflected upon their own roles in making the world a better place.

Dr. King’s legacy of positivity, love, persistence and social action lives on in the daily work at RKYHS. The interactive displays helped students consider and connect their own values and actions with those of this great American.