Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton drew a huge crowd at Temple Beth-El on Friday evening, Jan. 18. Senator Clinton was the guest speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat Service's 15th annual Black-Jewish Dialogue of Temple Beth-El and the Mount Olive Baptist Church. The senator emphasized the work of Dr. King and the need for people to work together in peace.

Speaking of this unique interfaith service, Senator Clinton said that such an evening ''should be natural,'' and she hoped that this event could plant the seeds for other dialogues locally, in New York State, and across America. The senator spoke about the ''extraordinary effect when two congregations persist.''

Senator Clinton said that she had heard that Dr. King had spoken at Beth-El shortly before his death and she was delighted to see the show of hands of those who had heard Dr. King at that time. She, too, had once heard Dr. King speak, in person, and she too had been deeply affected by his words. She spoke of how Dr. King ''changed hearts ... changed minds ... changed law ... with words.''

Senator Clinton had gone with her church group to hear Dr. King speak. The senator explained that, thanks to her church group, she had also been to a temple for a first time and to other various houses of worship. ''We were taught to understand and respect others,'' she said.

Senator Clinton noted that the evening's service, complete with interfaith prayers, a magnificent interfaith choir, and wonderful words from Temple Beth-El's Rabbi Jerome K. Davidson and Mt. Olive Baptist Church's Rev. Edward Corley, included ''the spirit of Dr. King ... in keeping with Dr. King ...'' Speaking of ''the difficult task of ... living together,'' Senator Clinton stressed that Dr. King always said we should all try to make it work.

The senator then went on to speak about Sept. 11: ''We are called to defend ourselves ... and to pray together ... and meet the new challenges.'' Senator Clinton strongly and clearly stated that ''We must stand firmly against terrorism and work for genuine harmony.'' She then spoke about the members of our armed services, and emergency workers (police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians) who are ready to go into harm's way ''for us.''

Senator Clinton spoke about all who have lost so much, and, thus, she added, we can now all better understand ''Negro spirituals'' and what they have to say to all of us.

''We are grateful for what we have here,'' she said, referring to the service and the dialogue. ''I hope that this is not unique,'' she added.

Senator Clinton then called for peace, for displays of humanity, and for everyone to work to fulfill Dr. King's vision, ''to work together in peace.''

Following the service, Senator Clinton remained on the ''bimah'' to greet her constituents. She was joined by Congressman Gary Ackerman, State Senator Michael Balboni, NYS Assemblymember Thomas DiNapoli, and Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman.

(Editor's Note: We have tried to relay some bits and pieces of Senator Clinton's remarks at Temple Beth-El. Since this was part of a religious service, we thought it inappropriate to conspicuously take copious notes.)