The Relationship between the Rothschilds & The Kings
Dr. King and Rabbi Rothschild shared a close relationship as they were both leaders in the Atlanta community, with Rothschild openly supporting desegregation and Civil Rights. The two men first met at an interfaith dinner in Atlanta and stayed connected through various interfaith events and community gatherings, as well as being good family friends. Janice Rothschild Blumberg, Rabbi Rothschild's wife, recalled many memories of the King family and their interactions with the Rothschilds.
King returned to Atlanta after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and Rabbi Rothschild and his wife took it upon themselves to arrange a banquet for Dr. King to celebrate his accomplishments. Janice recounts the opposition that they endured to have this event, often needing to keep the happenings and details secret in order to lessen push back within the community. It was held at the Dinkler Plaza Hotel, which was the largest venue in Atlanta at that time, and sold out at the last moment. This was the largest interracial event that had ever occurred in Atlanta, and brought together members of the White Gentile class and well as leaders of the Black community. This demonstrates that the Rothschilds were at the forefront of support for the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta. Even after having a leader in their community win the Nobel Peace Prize, people of Atlanta pushed back against such an open celebration of the Black leader - no matter how prolific he was. This exemplifies the complexity of these times in the nation's history and how Rothschild was hugely influential in the Atlanta community.
Rothschild presented King with a large inscribed glass bowl during the banquet. Janice had obtained the bowl after the glass company had volunteered to work over time during the holiday season and for a lower fee after they heard what the bowl was being gifted for.
Janice Rothschild Blumberg also remembers the more difficult times during the Civil Rights Movement in the South. She recounts that during the early 1960s, Dr. King and his wife were coming to the Rothschild's for dinner late one night. The Kings could not discern what house the Rothschilds lived in and had to ask a neighbor to direct them. Dr. King has his wife Coretta approach the door and pretend that she was serving at an event at the Rothschild's so not to stir suspicion in the white, Christian, and wealthy neighborhood. This demonstrates the dichotomy of the Rothschilds and their relationship with the Kings. Although they were outspoken supporters of Civil Rights, day-to-day actions were still restricted by societal rules set in place by White Supremacists in the South years before. The Rothschilds were constantly at the center of multiple social identities - Jewish community leaders, Civil Rights supporters, and whites - trying to make their way in the world.
King returned to Atlanta after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and Rabbi Rothschild and his wife took it upon themselves to arrange a banquet for Dr. King to celebrate his accomplishments. Janice recounts the opposition that they endured to have this event, often needing to keep the happenings and details secret in order to lessen push back within the community. It was held at the Dinkler Plaza Hotel, which was the largest venue in Atlanta at that time, and sold out at the last moment. This was the largest interracial event that had ever occurred in Atlanta, and brought together members of the White Gentile class and well as leaders of the Black community. This demonstrates that the Rothschilds were at the forefront of support for the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta. Even after having a leader in their community win the Nobel Peace Prize, people of Atlanta pushed back against such an open celebration of the Black leader - no matter how prolific he was. This exemplifies the complexity of these times in the nation's history and how Rothschild was hugely influential in the Atlanta community.
Rothschild presented King with a large inscribed glass bowl during the banquet. Janice had obtained the bowl after the glass company had volunteered to work over time during the holiday season and for a lower fee after they heard what the bowl was being gifted for.
Janice Rothschild Blumberg also remembers the more difficult times during the Civil Rights Movement in the South. She recounts that during the early 1960s, Dr. King and his wife were coming to the Rothschild's for dinner late one night. The Kings could not discern what house the Rothschilds lived in and had to ask a neighbor to direct them. Dr. King has his wife Coretta approach the door and pretend that she was serving at an event at the Rothschild's so not to stir suspicion in the white, Christian, and wealthy neighborhood. This demonstrates the dichotomy of the Rothschilds and their relationship with the Kings. Although they were outspoken supporters of Civil Rights, day-to-day actions were still restricted by societal rules set in place by White Supremacists in the South years before. The Rothschilds were constantly at the center of multiple social identities - Jewish community leaders, Civil Rights supporters, and whites - trying to make their way in the world.
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