I hope you all have been enjoying Sukkot as we head this weekend into Simchat Torah. I love Simchat Torah, especially all the dancing and singing with the individual Torahs in the sanctuary. Growing up it was like a preview of a Bar Mitzvah party, complete with a heavy nosh and a klezmer band. What’s not to love? As I child I failed to see the significance of the holiday. Marking the end and celebrating the beginning. Another year, we as the Jewish people were alive to revisit their history, laws commandments and roots.
So here we are in 5781 and we will yet again begin the story of Genesis; another remarkable portion where the world is created and Ha’Shem rests. From now until next year, each week a new portion of the Torah will been read yet again and before you know it another year has passed and we are back to Genesis.
As a Jew I have the Torah. As Danny Cohn, I have my photo albums. These albums are my family’s personal Torah, assembled by my mother and both my grandmothers, these photos trace a history. Not of THE Jewish people like the Torah, but of MY Jewish people, my family. Pictures from the old country, birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs, first steps, proms, family vacations, Passover seders, business ventures, good times and bad. The images in the books are my family’s Abrahams and Sarahs.
This year, I have decided to start a new tradition in conjunction with Simchat Torah. “The Viewing of the Albums.” This weekend and every year going forward Nora and I will sit and look at the volumes of photo albums that line my shelves and she will know where she came from. She will hear the story of her great grandfather Norman, whom she is named after, and how he quit law school to serve his country in WWII. She will learn about her great grandmother Rose, who was an independent business woman in the 1960s well before it was the norm. She will learn about the raspberry bushes at my great grandmother’s house and see the recipe for the jam that was made each year. She will learn from a picture of my mother’s hairdo in the 1980s why perms are not a good idea and she will see a Bar Mitzvah picture of her Poppy, my dad.
The N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and her Sunday school classes will teach her the story of our people and I will teach her the story of her people, and together they will blend lessons in beautiful harmony.
In the age of smart phones, short content and instant pictures all delivered electronically – perhaps a little paper, both in the form of Torah and family history in 5781 isn’t that bad.
Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat and a Chag Sameach!
B’Shalom,
Danny
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Israel Engagement Fellowship!
Apply now for the Fall, 2020
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Are you a future leader?
Are you looking for a unique addition to your college application?
Are you interested in strengthening your connection to Israel?
Apply now to participate in the Fall, 2020 cohort. The Fall, 2020 cohort is done in partnership with synagogues in Northern Virginia.
During the free eight-part seminar, you will:
- Explore the trends on college campus and how Israel fits into broader conversations
- Learn the importance of building allies and coalitions to impact change
- Examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and learn from differing narratives
- Graduate with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to engage with and advocate for Israel in your own meaningful way on college campus and beyond
DATES & TIMES
The Fall, 2020 online cohort will take place online from 4:00 - 5:15 PM
Sundays: October 18 & 25; November 1, 8, 15, & 22; December 6 & 13.
Participation is open to any 10th - 12th grader regardless of school/synagogue membership/affiliation. There is no cost to participate in this program.
Application deadline is Wednesday, October 14th.
QUESTIONS:
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Growing Up Jewish in Selma
A Conversation with Rusty Palmer
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Sunday, October 11, 7:00pm Central
Join us for a chat with MSJE vice-chair Rusty Palmer about growing up Jewish in Selma, Alabama. Jews began arriving in Selma by the1830s, setting up shop to supply local farmers, and before long were making contributions to the town's civic and cultural life. In 1980, two hundred Jews called Selma home; today there are only four. Rusty's commitment to MSJE and its mission stems in large part to his formative years in that historic town.
This program is FREE, but registration is required to participate via Zoom.
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Understanding American
Jewish-Israel Relations
Join us for a special, virtual program with Rabbi, Dr. Daniel Gordis
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The Greensboro Jewish Federation
Cordially Invites You to Lunch and Learn
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Thursday, October 22, 12-1:00 Eastern
Dr. Nachman Shai will discuss the peace agreements between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel — and what they mean for the region.
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Virtual Bereavement Support Group Begins Oct. 8
Begins October 8 at 1 PM
A free virtual support group for those suffering the loss of a loved one is being offered this fall by CJFS. The first meeting is at 1 pm on Thursday, Oct. 8. CJFS Social Worker Gail Schuster, LICSW, who will lead the group, will work with participants to determine the most mutually convenient schedule for subsequent meetings. Thanks to a generous grant from the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, there is no charge for this program, but registration is required. For more information, please contact Gail Schuster, gail@cjfsbham.org
Hadassah virtual Culinary Experience with
Israeli Chef Alon Shaya
October 15, 2020 at 7 PM
Join us on Zoom with Israeli Chef Alon Shaya from his restaurant Saba in New Orleans to learn and cook together!
Temple Beth-El Jewish adult education
October 15 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Beit Midrash: Join us for a Jewish adult education opportunity via Zoom with Rabbi Stephen Slater every Thursday from 12 noon until 1PM.
Understanding American Jewish-Israel Relations
Sunday, October 18 at 11 AM
Virtual Presentation by; Renowned author and scholar, Rabbi Daniel Gordis (Israel). Rabbi Daniel Gordis (Israel) will be doing a virtual presentation solely for our community on the current status of Israel politics and the state of relations between the American Jewish community and Israel on the eve of the upcoming election.
"Amplifying Voices"
October 18, 2020 at 6 pm
The Levite Jewish Community Center has partnered with the Tucson JCC in Tucson, AZ to host a series, entitled "Amplifying Voices," on the intersection of Black and Jewish identities.
The first event is on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 pm with author Marc Dollinger. He will discuss his book "Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance of the 1960s." In January, the LJCC, along with Birmingham activist T. Marie King, will be hosting a virtual Civil Rights Tour of important sites in Alabama.
How to be comfortable having uncomfortable conversations: Turn Down The Heat
America is so split that trying to speak across the divide feels impossible. Whether it is one on one, with friends, family or your community, discussions about race, politics or Israel seem to be too heated and contentious to have. How can we have these important and necessary conversations without “all the heat”? How can you practice self-care as you enter into uncomfortable conversations? How to rethink what success looks like during a difficult conversation.
Join us for this timely virtual conversation with Billy Planer of Etgar 36, an “independent, pluralistic, nonpartisan and nonprofit Jewish educational venture.” Etgar 36leads Civil Rights journeys in the Southeast, drawing on history to empower groups to take action. This is a pay-what-you can event and we will be asking participants to register ahead of time.
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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