Shabbat Shalom!
I hope you all are enjoying Spring as much as I am. The blooming flowers, the honey bees and best of all hearing about so many of the Jewish kids around town registering and getting excited for their summer camp experiences. While Nora is too young to send to sleep away camp this year, we have registered her for the entire summer at camp LJCC, minus the week she will spend at “Camp JCC” in Omaha when she goes for her first annual summer visit to Grammy and Poppy’s house.
I have to admit I am very excited about camp at the LJCC this summer. I have participated in planning meetings with the LJCC’s interim director Aimee Johnson and this year’s camp director Katie Grace and I can tell you they have an amazing summer planned with lots of wonderful Jewish experiences in store! I have even volunteered to be a guest flag raiser and RUACH leader at least once a week. Any guitar players out there want to join me?
Last week, The Birmingham Jewish Community executed two amazing events. First, the Levite Jewish Community Center’s Yom Ha’ Atzmaut Tour of Israel with tour guide Julian Resnick and can be viewed by clicking here. This was in addition to the statewide Yom Ha Shoah program brought to us by the Birmingham Holocaust Educational Center. This moving tribute is available to view here. The Birmingham Jewish Federation is proud to partner with our local communal organizations to bring such dynamic, high-quality programs to you throughout the year.
Last week I had the opportunity to join a program with Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. He spoke of local Federation’s successes over the past year. He attributed them to being part of a collective through the Federation system. There are 146 Federations in cities that are strong, poised and eager to help other Jews around the world when crises arise and when there’s cause to rejoice in and celebrate.
It’s because of you, our donors, that we are able to bring such rich and dynamic experiences to the community. For a many years the Federation was looked at solely as a fundraising agency – but do you know all the programs the Federation executes for the community? In addition to the Jewish Community Relation’s Council, the BJF also funds and executes PJ Library, You Belong In Birmingham, a robust Women’s Philanthropy Program, Shalom Baby and Shalom Birmingham which provides welcome baskets to new babies and new arrivals to our community, and Young Jewish Philanthropy (in partnership with The Birmingham Jewish Foundation). I’m excited to announce that we have recently reinvigorated our Israel programming by strengthening our relationship with our sister city Rosh Ha’ayin. We’ll be providing monthly programs in partnership with the Jewish Federation of New Orleans and the Jewish Agency for Israel along with Rosh Ha’ayin. All of this in addition to supporting our local Jewish agencies here at home and internationally through the Israel World Jewry Bureau!
Many of you still have your pledge cards for our 2021 Annual Campaign which have not yet been mailed in. I humbly ask that you remain part of the “collective” and consider returning those so that we can build upon and expand this list of programming over the next year. For those of you who make gifts from a donor advised fund please consider making your commitment now as well. As always, I am available to speak to each and every one of you about the benefits the community and the world receive from your gift.
I’ll close with a favored quote from Maimonides –
“Give graciously, cheerfully and sympathetically.”
B’Shalom,
Danny
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See your Federation dollars at work! |
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In honor of Yom Hashoah, the 4th through 8th grade students at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School participated in an educational Zoom call with Louise Abroms, whose parents were Holocaust survivors. We learned how her parents survived in those hard times. She told us a story about when her father sneaked out and got some food for the people in his ghetto. He almost got caught! Mrs. Abroms answered questions about the Holocaust and shared pictures of her parents. She also explained how her parents met and how they came to America. We appreciate Mrs. Abroms telling us about her strong, brave, clever and very lucky parents. Thank you Mrs. Abroms!
Rafa and Liberty (grade 5)
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If you missed the virtual tour of Israel... |
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Watch the tour of Israel with Julian Resnick today! |
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Yemenite Culture in Conversation
Sunday, April 18 @ 11 AM
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Join the city of Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, for a fun and interactive celebration of Yemenite culture - with a special look at Yemenite history, food, and music/dance – on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. Israeli time. (This event will be held in English.)
Attendees will get a special tour of Rosh Ha'ayin's famed Yemenite museum, from curator Yiska Rave. Chochi Araya will help participants explore the world of Yemenite dance, and Sharon Meydani (who has taught Yemenite recipes to two James Beard Award-winning chefs) will teach attendees how to make Yemenite breads. (Recipes will be provided to attendees.)
This event is jointly hosted by the Rosh Ha'ayin Partnership2Gether Steering Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and the Birmingham Jewish Federation, in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel's Partnership2Gether program.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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The Morgan Project - Dismantling Systemic Racism through Education and Reconciliation
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Noon
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Featuring Lisa McNair and Charles Morgan III
Lisa McNair and Charles Morgan III are board members of The Morgan Project, a grassroots organization, envisioned and created by members of Birmingham’s YMBC Civic Club, in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in May, 2020. The Morgan Project seeks to provide meaningful actions and programs to help eradicate systemic racism through education. In addition to a speakers’ series, the Morgan Project is designing a state wide social justice and inclusion curriculum for students K-12. Included will be the reprinting and distribution of A Time To Speak, the seminal book written in 1964, by Charles (Chuck) Morgan, Jr. The Morgan Project is named for Chuck Morgan who spoke truth to power at great personal sacrifice. His willingness to stand up and speak up have inspired subsequent generations.
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YBIB Black Warrior River Clean Up
Sunday, April 25 @ 9 AM
YBIB is doing a Black Warrior River clean-up morning April
It is recommended you wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and long sleeves as well as sometimes there is a bunch of brush.
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Book Talk: "The Ledger and The Chain" |
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Thursday, April 29th @ 7-8PM
Join TBE community member and Chair of the University of Alabama History Department, Joshua Rothman, for a discussion of his new book, The Ledger and the Chain: How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America.
In his book, Dr. Rothman details the stories of three of the most prominent slave traders in American history. Focusing on the lives and careers of Isaac Franklin, John Armfield and Rice Ballard, Dr. Rothman documents the roles of these men in the evolution of the domestic slave trade, the shocking activities that their business entailed, and their significance for American society and the American economy before the Civil War.
This virtual event will include time for audience Q & A.
This series is part of the development of the Beth El Civil Rights Experience; a multimedia project exploring the intersections of Birmingham’s Jewish and Civil Rights histories, with an eye towards exploring the past and “building bridges” in the present and future. Learn more here.
This event is being held in partnership with Thank You Books and we encourage you to pre-order the book directly from this local bookseller in advance of the event! You can pre-order here.
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Letter to the Future Me: An Ethical Will Seminar with Dr. Erica Brown |
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Thursday April 29th at 1PM
Please join National Women's Philanthropy and the Jewish Future Pledge as we explore the process of creating an ethical will. This interactive session will feature Dr. Erica Brown and will be hosted by LOJE25 Chair, Judy Altenberg.
Registration can be found here or click the image below!
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The Birmingham Holocaust Education Center (BHEC) is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director is a key management leader with overall operational responsibility for overseeing the strategic planning, programming, revenue development, and day-to-day administration of the organization. The ideal candidate will require experience in the following areas, including a strong track record in fundraising and resource development, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.
To read more, you can visit their website here.
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Hadassah Book Club – Discussion of:
The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel. Facilitator, Star Bloom
April 18 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Birmingham Chapter of Hadassah
New participants are welcome to join us on Zoom for a lively discussion.
Mensch Adventures
April 18 @ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Sunday afternoon, in-person, socially-distant, outdoor adventures for the sake of building empathy, integrity, kindness, and civic-mindedness. During our monthly adventures, we will focus on building our awareness of contemporary social challenges and Torah’s power to help us be better thinkers, feelers, and doers. Students will need to wear masks at all times and we ask that you bring your own kosher-style snacks and water bottles. This is a program organized out of Beth El for 4th-8th graders. It is open to all children in the community. Contact Margaret if you are interested in participating or would like more information (mnorman@templebet-el.net).
Yom Ha’atzmaut at Homewood Patriot Park
April 18 @ 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Community program with Temple Emanu-El & Temple Beth-El
"The New Jewish Canon”:
A Conversation about Contemporary Judaism
April 20 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-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.
Bearing Witness: Stories of the Holocaust – “Second Generation/First Person:
Memory, History and Poetry”
April 20 @ 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Birmingham Holocaust Education Center
Anna Wrobel, American historian, teacher, and Holocaust Studies educator, uses original poetry as a creative means for historical and cultural transmission. Family events and memories are framed in scholarly, historical contexts. Student inquiry and commentary will direct discussion after the reading of several poems on diverse aspects of the Shoah. The presentation includes related references to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated in the often tragic month of April. Anna’s love for Dr. King was established in early childhood as a result of her survivor mother’s deep respect and admiration for the civil rights leader. Learn more and sign up here!
JCRC Lunch & Learn: The Morgan Project
April 21 @ 12:00-1:00 PM
JCRC
Each month the JCRC offers programs to educate and raise awareness on community organizations and initiatives. This month, Lisa McNair and Charles Morgan III will talk about The Morgan Project, a local initiative founded in the summer of 2020 to provide meaningful actions and programs to help eradicate systemic racism through education and difficult conversations. Register here!
JewCurious?
April 21 @ 5:30 - 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!
“Should You Give Away Your Stimulus Check:” Torah Study with Joseph Gindi, AJWS
April 22 @ 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
In the context of a global pandemic, should you give away your stimulus check? How do you define your moral obligations to others at this time?What gets you motivated to give to the causes that you give to?If you will be giving to others at this time, how should you prioritize your giving? Join us for a conversation and Torah study with Joseph Gindi, Senior Program Officer for International Education and Jewish Engagement at American Jewish World Service. We’ll ask “in the context of a global pandemic, should you give away your stimulus check,” and discuss new ways to think about charitable giving.
This workshop will replace Rabbi Stephen’s Beit Midrash on April 22nd. Register here!
If Flame Falls on Cedars,
Women Leaders Will Put Out the Fire:
The Biblical Deborah Reimagined
April 22 @ 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
Wendy Zierler, Ph.D., Sigmund Falk Professor of Feminist Studies and Modern Jewish Literature, Hebrew Union College/New York
The Biblical Deborah has been adduced as a feminist model for women’s leadership as far back as the earliest agitations for women’s ordination at the end of the 19th century. But well before then, in Trieste Italy, the first modern Hebrew woman poet, Rachel Luzatto Morpurgo (1790-1871) placed herself in the shoes of the biblical Deborah as well as those of the erudite rabbis of the Talmud, subtly suggesting that women poets, pastors, and leaders might be able to do the job better than their erstwhile male counterparts. Discover the story of the biblical Deborah through the unique lens of Morpurgo’s 1859 poem “Look: This is New,” and learn how modern Hebrew women’s poetry can serve as a vital source of new interpretation for our classical sources.
Presented in partnership with Lilith magazine.
Podcast Dinner Club: Going Zero Waste
April 22 @ 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Temple Beth-El
Our new series of Podcast Dinner Clubs are ideal for busy people who love learning! Structured like a book club, we’ll meet each session with a different host and listen together to segments of a podcast, pausing for discussion. Podcast dinner clubs come with free snack drop-offs for those who register in advance, so that we can nosh and socialize! If you’d like to learn about hosting a podcast club, reach out to Margaret at mnorman@templebeth-el.net
For this month’s edition of Podcast Dinner Club, Alejandra and Yihsrael will lead us in a discussion of “zero waste” lifestyles with the podcast “A Sustainable Mind.”
If you live further than 5 miles from Temple Beth El we invite you to pick up your snack kit at your own convenience!
Shabbat Hilicha/Shabbat Hiking
at Red Mountain Park
April 24 @ 10:30 AM -12:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
One Saturday per month, in lieu on an online Shabbat service, we will meet at a local hiking trail to spend Shabbat morning together. Led by Rabbi Wright and Cantor Wittner, we will spend one to two hours enjoying Shabbat in nature.
Introduction to Judaism with
Rabbi Adam Wright
April 27 @ 6:00 - 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.
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.
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The Birmingham Jewish Federation
@jewishbirmingham
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