Oscar Winning Actor Lou Gossett Jr. Will Deliver Sermon At Washington D.C.'s National Synagogue

Washington, D.C. (CNS) - Actor Lou Gossett Jr. will be the featured guest speaker at Ohev Sholom, The National Synagogue in Washington D.C. on Saturday morning. An Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy award winning actor, Gossett has been an enduring public presence for more than five decades and ranks as one of the most respected actors of stage, screen, and television.

It is believed that Gossett's appearance at The National Synagogue marks the first time an African American will deliver a Shabbat morning sermon to members of the historic synagogue in its 122 year history. Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, of the National Synagogue, believes there is even more to the story, however.

Rabbi Herzfeld told Celebrity News Service, "Lou Gossett is a deeply spiritual man and at this stage of his life he wants to make a positive difference in the world. He has been given many benefits from God and he wants to share those benefits."

Gossett agreed with Rabbi and said, "To him whom much is given, much is expected. I have been blessed that through my work I have a recognizable persona and I can use the power of that persona for a greater good by shining the spotlight on issues of importance. I see myself as a vessel that God uses to do the work I am on the planet to do."

In 2006, Gossett launched The Eracism Foundation, with the aim of developing and producing entertainment that brings awareness and education to issues such as racism, ignorance and societal apathy. "Part of the thing that keeps us apart is our differences," Gossett said. "Instead of seeing strength and power in celebrating those differences, we fight over them."

In his address at The National Synagogue, Gossett will share his work with Holocaust survivors and the African-American battalion that liberated them, as well as talk about how his Eracism Foundation has been shaped by his exposure to Judaism.

Through his Eracism Foundation, Gossett hopes to work with children of all races by helping to instill in them the values he grew up with as a boy in Coney Island, New York, values such as tolerance, discipline, self-respect, civility, deference to your elders and treating women respectfully. He believes that we must start with the children. "Children are our most precious resources and we must work as hard as we can to protect and preserve their future," says Gossett.

Known for his role in the landmark 1977 miniseries "Roots," Gossett will speak at the National Synagogue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23.