King’s speech became a nation’s dream   After King’s stirring
and rhythmic speech, after it sunk in, with the humidity, that
the day had been extraordinarily positive and peaceful, after
250,000 people began to happily disperse, President Kennedy sent
messages to King: come to the White House for a reception.  John
and Robert Kennedy received the buoyant preacher, along with the
leaders of the NAACP and other African-American agencies that
had effectively set aside their own differences and rivalries
and little scorns and had pulled off an unheralded triumph.
Sandwiches were served, cool drinks poured, handshaking and
backslapping ensued, and the Kennedys congratulated themselves
for being vigilant and maintaining the peace. For one halcyon
afternoon that extended into a sublime dusk, the American
government frolicked in interracial mirth and relief.  That,
too, was a dream — but we remain mesmerized by it.  Kamin, rabbi
and author, is founder of Reconciliation: The Synagogue Without
Walls and author of “Roo