“The New Jewish Canon”:
A Conversation about Contemporary Judaism
December 1 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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.
The Holocaust in Focus: Auschwitz 1944 – Victims and Perpetrators in Two Photo Albums
December 1 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dr. Wiesen will explore two Nazi-era photo albums that are some of the only photographs we have from the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The first, The Lilly Jacobs Album (also known as The Auschwitz Album), was discovered by a survivor recovering from typhus. It depicts the arrival of Hungarian Jews to the death camp. The second, known as The Höcker Album, reveals pictures of Auschwitz camp personnel relaxing and enjoying themselves at the Solahütte, a little known SS resort some 30 km south of Auschwitz on the Sola River.
When these two albums are juxtaposed, we get a troubling glimpse into the complexities of the human experience during a moment when the war was winding down, yet the Germans were murdering Jews as fast as they could.
Professor Wiesen will lead a discussion about these haunting images and what they tell us about the victims and perpetrators in the Holocaust. Register here.
JewCurious?
December 2 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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. Click here to register!
Magic City Market Meet Up
December 6 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Did you know that there is a new market at Vulcan Park? Recently Margaret, Bethany and Dani went to do some “research” on the Magic City Market Place and discovered games, food and views galore! We invite you to meet us at the Magic City Market Place Sunday December 6th from 2:30 – 4:00; a chance to safely socialize and enjoy all our city has to offer!
Learn more about the market place here!
“Our Ancestors, They Call to US:”
A conversation with Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein
December 7 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
We welcome back (virtually) Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein, Rabbinic Scholar and Public Affairs Advisor at the Jewish Federations of North America. Rabbi Rothstein visited our community earlier this Fall when he came to honor ancestors at the 57th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing. Rabbi Rothstein was raised in a multi-racial Orthodox family in Monsey, NY and will engage us in story and song around his trip to Alabama. This event is part of Temple Beth El’s Tirdof Series, focused on Civil Rights Past and Present, and is held in partnership with the Birmingham JCRC.
Advance registration is required. Click here to register!
Collat Jewish Family Services Bereavement Group
The meetings will be led by Gail Schuster, and the group will determine the frequency and meeting times.
For more information and to register for the Zoom meeting, please contact Gail Schuster at gail@cjfs.org or at 205-879-3438.
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.
