Dear Friends:
Shabbat Shalom!
The theme of this week is change.
Some of us are good with change, some of us not so much, but one thing remains true – the world around us keeps changing. I, believe it or not, am not so great with change – when it comes to small things I am stuck very much in my ways. Moving to Birmingham was a huge change, one we embraced and ran to. Having Nora was one of the best changes in my life. However, if you change the brand of ketchup on my table (always Heinz) or use scented detergent instead of the clear stuff my day could be ruined. Daily change now is inevitable, and some of it is for the good. In that spirit, I want to introduce you to our new weekly newsletter.
The Birmingham Jewish Federation Weekly Roundup will replace by Shabbat greetings, the BJ5 and all the other individual programming emails that you receive from BJF. We heard from the community that you preferred to get all of your information in one place and we aim to please. This new newsletter will expand what you get on Fridays from us.
Now you will have my greeting, YK, upcoming programming and community resources all in one place. This first edition is chalk full of great people and programming. As we evolve, we will continue to use this roundup to bring you important community information fueled by our agency partners and news from around the globe. If you have a piece you would like included, please email Shelbye@bjf.org.
So, as we move into the weekend, I hope you will embrace this small change with me. I think it’s a good one – just don’t touch the ketchup.
B’Shalom,
Danny
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A Yasher Koach this week to Marjorie Perlman. Marjorie is being honored by CJFS at this year’s Hands Up Together event, which will be virtually held on the evening of August 13, 2020. Marjorie has meant a great deal to CJFS, where she served as President of the Board of Directors in 2009 and 2010, as well as co-chairing a fund-raising campaign and establishing the agency’s second-largest endowment fund. In 2015, when CJFS launched an endowment campaign, Marjorie was a natural to co-chair it with Esther Schuster, the agency’s retired Executive Director. She had already created a fund in the CJFS Endowment at the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, the Marjorie Perlman Nuts & Bolts Fund, to support and sustain CJFS’ strong infrastructure. As part of the campaign she more than doubled the size of the fund, making it the second-largest in the CJFS Endowment. Please join me in offering a YK in celebration to Marjorie for this well deserved honor.
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The Birmingham Jewish Foundation is on Facebook! |
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The Birmingham Jewish Foundation has put a new face on our Facebook page, with the help of our wonderful University of Alabama summer intern, Shelby Etkind. Our page will not only have announcements and news from us, but also will be featuring videos from some of our grant recipients telling their stories. Amazing things are happening, thanks to our many generous donors.
Don’t miss out-- Please visit our page, like it, and share with your friends.
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Sarah Weinberger, the new Youth Engagement and Young Adult Coordinator, is making strides in the Birmingham Jewish community. She is working with partners locally, nationally, and internationally to put out some awesome new programs for our youth and young adult communities.
Some new programs that you do not want to miss include:
BBG Chapter of BBYO will be hosting their first virtual bake sale!
You Belong in Birmingham, To-Go Tuesdays.
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Are you new to Birmingham? Or just looking to get more involved in the Jewish Community?
Join our Facebook group for young Jewish professionals called "You Belong in Birmingham"! Here you can stay up to date on news and events happening in Jewish Birmingham!
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Food For Thought– A Lunch and Learn
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Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity has grown tremendously in the U.S. and all around the world. Please join us for a lunch and learn as we hear from representatives from Israel’s national food bank, our community food bank , and a gleaning organization in our community to hear about the steps they take to battle food insecurity and how you can help. |
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JCRC– A Conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Miller |
As we witness the transformational movement to break down systemic racism in our nation, many Jews are struggling with questions about their place in the movement.
Rabbi Jonathan Miller will talk about our history and his past involvement building bridges with the Black community; and, how we can move forward to affect change together today.
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IsraAid is helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 |
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Israaid is one of the Israeli non-profit organizations that is funded by the Israel World Jewry Bureau ( IWJB) which is the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s overseas allocations process. IWJB is supported by funds from the Birmingham Jewish Federation and the Birmingham Jewish Foundation. For more information on IWJB please contact FlorinaN@bjf.org.
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CARES Virtual Support Group
Mondays at 1:30 pm and Thursdays at 7:30 pm via Zoom.
To help dementia caregivers cope with stress, Collat Jewish Family Services’ CARES respite program is now offering its free Virtual Support Group twice weekly. The group is led by CJFS professional staff. Register now
Mishkan HaNefesh - Temple Emanu-El’s New High Holy Day Prayer Book
August 12, and 19 at 6:00 pm via Zoom.
Come and learn about Temple Emanu-El’s new High Holy Day prayer book, Mishkan HaNefesh, in this three-class series. This prayer book gives us a wealth of resources for finding new meaning in these High Holy Days. Through updated translations, readings, and poetry, as well as easily accessible transliteration and new liturgical innovations, Mishkan HaNefesh breathes new life into High Holy Day services. RSVP here
Hands Up Together - Date Rescheduled
Thursday, August 13 from 5:30-6:00 pm via Zoom.
Collat Jewish Family Services’ 2020 Hands Up Together event honoring Marjorie Perlman has been rescheduled as a virtual event. Sponsors and ticket holders will receive information via postcard and email about how to join this Zoom event. For more information, contact Elaine Witt.
Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00pm CST
Israel Bonds is holding the first of a very special series of unique virtual national events featuring Prime Minister Netanyahu, Ambassador Ron Dermer, and renowned Israeli performers. Register here!
You Belong in Birmingham: To-Go Tuesdays!
Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Join Birmingham's young, Jewish, and professional adults for a collaborative Zoom social hour! This month, we will be making s'mores bars for "To-Go Tuesday"! Follow our Facebook page, You Belong In Birmingham, for more detailed information on when and where you can pick up your To-Go Tuesday jar!
*Virtual* L’Chaim 2020
Sunday, August 23 from 2:00-3:00 pm live online.
L’Chaim will be inspiring as ever, and for everyone’s safety and enjoyment will be a live virtual event this year. Join the BHEC as they recognize our honorees Susan and David Silverstein. Learn more
The Rabbi Goes West
Sunday, August 30 at 7:00 pm via Zoom.
Join Chabad of Alabama as they host Rabbi Chaim Bruk. A Chassidic family moves to Montana, adopts five children, and is determined to change the landscape of Judaism in the state. Join Rabbi Bruk as he shares some heartwarming, stereotype-shattering, timely, hilarious stories, perspectives and thoughts. Rabbi Bruk is the subject of the documentary, The Rabbi Goes West and is a frequent contributor in the Huffington Post. Registration is free, but required. 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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Visit the community calendar for more details!
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The Birmingham Jewish Federation
@jewishbirmingham
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