Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On September 10, 2000, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch published the article, "Jews and Blacks Relish Togetherness in Parade at Opening of City Temple; Emotional Rabbi, Leader of NAACP Say the Two Groups Must Stay United." It reported that in a "show of unity, hundreds of Jews and dozens of blacks on Saturday paraded behind Torah scrolls down Kingshighway to Sukkat Shalom, or Shelter of Peace -- the first synagogue to move into St. Louis in more than 70 years...'It's an analogy of the wandering Jew coming home,' said temple member Pat Denlow, 50, of Richmond Heights, at the ribbon-cutting celebration...The short march to 5020 Waterman Boulevard followed the Central Reform Congregation's ecumenical Sabbath service at the Chase Park Plaza hotel, where a predominately black choir brought 1,500 people to their feet...Julian Bond, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, spoke during the service. He challenged the congregation, which prides itself on its inclusiveness, to continue fighting with blacks against prejudice. He said the historic relationship between blacks and Jews should not be undermined by fringe groups in those communities."