.“The New Jewish Canon”:
A Conversation about Contemporary Judaism
January 26 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
The late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries have been a period of mass production and proliferation of Jewish ideas, and have witnessed major changes in Jewish life and stimulated major debates. Join this class to talk about the book, “The New Jewish Canon,” which came out this year in July. This book offers a conceptual roadmap to make sense of some of this rapid change. The New Jewish Canon is an entry point for the Jewish intellectual and communal zeitgeist of the contemporary period and the recent past, canonizing our most important ideas and debates of the past two generations; and just as importantly, stimulating debate and scholarship about what is yet to come. Join Rebbetzin Bethany with your lunch on zoom to talk about some of these debates. Register here for the zoom link.
Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Adam Wright
January 26 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
Join us for an engaging 12-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life. Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those rearing Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering a “return” – (conversion), and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Our programs welcome people from all backgrounds. Topics include holidays, life cycle celebrations, theology and core beliefs, prayer, Torah, history, antisemitism, and the Holocaust, Zionism, and Israel, the North American Jewish experience, and the tapestry of the Jewish people today. Register here.
JewCurious?
January 27 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Temple Beth-El
Are you JewCurious? Have you heard that Judaism is about asking questions? Questions are the start of a great conversation. I would say, Judaism is about a great conversation. Come learn more about what that conversation sounds like by joining this JewCurious Class. This class is for everyone looking to get a broad overview of Judaism. This 101 class lasts for 20 weeks and is open to anyone who is curious. We’ll explore the major narratives, history, practices, theology and values of Judaism. You can expect that the learning will happen with curiosity and open-mindedness and respect for one another’s boundaries and beliefs. Taught by Bethany Slater from Temple Beth El. To register: Click here to register!
Finding Matilda: Uncovering the Life & Death of
a Jewish Lithuanian Poet
January 27 @ 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM
Birmingham Holocaust Education Center
The film, “Finding Matilda: The Anne Frank of Lithuania” by Kyle Conti, himself a college student, follows the search for the mass grave. Matilda Olkin was a wonderfully talented Jewish poet and a college student at the University of Vilnius. Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary that was discovered after her death. Matilda’s diary and poetry were hidden by a local priest under the main altar of his church and only recovered many years after the Holocaust. Join the science team, Dr. Richard Freund of Christopher Newport University, Dr. Phil Reeder of Duquesne University and Dr. Harry Jol of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to discover how and why they sought to reclaim Matilda’s story and discover her grave. The science team will be joined by Matthew Shaer, who wrote an extensive account of Matilda’s story for Smithsonian Magazine and Dr. Susan Cardillo, University of Hartford Director and Kyle Conti, Editor and Student Filmmaker.
JCRC Lunch & Learn:
Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership
January 28 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Jewish Community Relations Council
Lynda Wilson, President of the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, will talk about the founding and work of the AIRP, a 501C-3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum-seekers locally and globally through direct assistance, education, and advocacy. Register here!
Podcast Dinner Club: “Resting the Land”
with Judaism Unbound
January 28 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Want to learn more about “earth-based Judaism?” Love book clubs, but don’t have time for them? Just us for the first iteration of our podcast dinner club—a chance for participants to virtually and easily come together for food, discussion and socializing. Our first session will focus on the Judaism Unbound episode “Resting the Land.” Judaism Unbound is a project of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future, and a weekly podcast focused on all of the innovative developments in American Judaism. Rather than ask participants to listen ahead of time, we’ll actually listen together, via Zoom — pausing for points of discussion.
from the Atomic Lounge!
Picnic on Highlands: Tu B’Shevat Edition
January 30 @ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Save the date for the Tu B’Shevat edition of Picnic on Highlands! Picnic on Highlands is a special series of outdoor gatherings with a focus on young families. Bring a lunch, a blanket or chairs, and, of course, your favorite face mask. We’ll provide warm treats and drinks, Tu B’Shevat snacks, Shabbat friendly activities and additional childcare, so that parents can socialize too. Picnic on Highlands takes place at Caldwell Park.
Tu B’Shevat with Social Action Committee
January 31 @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Temple Beth-El
For this holiday SAC is inviting TBE Family and Friends to join SAC in the lower parking lot of TBE on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 1:00PM. There will be a farmer’s truck with 2/900 pound pallets of apples waiting for us. We will put these apples into 10 pound bags. It should take us about 1½ hours to complete. Then these bags will be picked up and delivered to various locations needing food to “end hunger”.
Come Together- B'Yachad
Tuesdays, February 9, 16, & 23 12 PM - 1 PM. EST
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The JDC is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in
70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities.
Come together with JDC for a three-part virtual journey to Israel featuring stunning nature views, from the North to the Negev. Discover how JDC is helping Israel chart a new course for the most vulnerable — breaking down boundaries and increasing opportunities for all.
Join us on this powerful journey. All are welcome! Register here!
Financial Assistance Available
for Jewish Community Members
Thanks to a grant from the Greatest Needs Fund of the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s COVID Relief Campaign, Collat Jewish Family Services is offering financial assistance to Jewish community members who are facing financial insecurity because of job loss, caring for family or other issues. Confidential assistance is available to members of the Birmingham Jewish community who need help with rent or mortgage payments, utilities, prescription costs or other needs. To learn more, please email CJFS Clinical Director Marcy Morgenbesser LICSW, marcy@cjfsbham.org or call 205.879.3438.
