Weekly Round Up: Thanksgiving Wishes and Hanukkah Happenings

November 19, 2021

15 Kislev, 5782

Dear Friends–

Shabbat Shalom!

Many thanks to all of you who tuned in this week for our program “A Courageous Conversation of Healing” for Birmingham’s Black and Jewish Communities. It was my honor to sit beside Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s President and CEO, DeJuana Thompson and have a meaningful and intentional dialogue. For those who may have missed it, you can access the recording here. We look forward to bringing you future programming between our two communities. As you will hear in the recording, my door is always is open and I’d love to speak to anyone who has programming ideas.

With the Thanksgiving holiday and Hanukkah approaching, I was curious if I could find any Jewish connection to Thanksgiving, which, as we know is an American holiday. On my quest for information, I found an article by Rabbi Elias Lieberman which surmised that Thanksgiving may have actually had roots in Sukkot.

“While we cannot be certain about what motivated those Pilgrim settlers to initiate a feast of thanksgiving, it is likely that they consciously drew on a model well-known to them from the Bible they cherished. Seeing themselves as new Israelites in a new 'promised land', the Pilgrims surely found inspiration in the Bible, in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, in which G-d commands the ancient Israelites to observe the Feast of Booths – in Hebrew, Sukkot, 'To rejoice before Adonai your G-d' at the time of the fall harvest.”

Regardless of the origin of Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude to each of you who continue to help make Jewish Birmingham thrive. It’s because of your time and generosity that we have been able to continue our dynamic programming through COVID. We look forward to celebrating the Federation’s 86^th with you in 2022!

My family will be traveling to Omaha for Thanksgiving this year having missed the opportunity to be together last year due to COVID. I am lucky enough to still have a grandmother to visit, and a new cousin to meet as well. As you can well imagine, Nora is excited to spend time with both of them. In order to make up for lost time, and have an extended visit with my family, I will be taking a week off and will not be sending my weekly message.

While I’m gone I want to be sure you have all the important community Hanukkah programming information. A special thanks to Chabad of Alabama for taking the lead and ensuring that all this family fun happens in our community.

Sunday, Nov 28 at 4:30 p.m. - Grand Menorah Lighting at The Summit in Saks Plaza. Festivities include a stilt walker, silent disco, drum circle, balloon artist, and so much more fun for the entire family. This program is in partnership with Chabad of Alabama, the Levite Jewish Community Center, The Karl and Gladys Friedman Fund at The Birmingham Jewish Foundation, and the Birmingham Jewish Federation.

Monday, Nov 29 at 5:00 p.m. - First-ever Homewood Menorah Lighting at the intersection of 18th St and 29th Ave South. The Mayor of Homewood and City Council members will join in the celebration and there will be Hanukkah treats and entertainment.

Wednesday, Dec 1 at 5:00 p.m.- First-ever Vestavia Hills Menorah Lighting at Vestavia Hills City Hall. The Mayor of Vestavia Hills and City Council members will join in the celebration and there will be Hanukkah treats and entertainment.

Sunday, Dec 5 at 4:45 p.m. -Car Menorah Parade. We will drive through Birmingham with menorahs on top of our cars with a police escort! More info and register here.

I close wishing you a restful Shabbat, a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Memorable First Night of Hanukkah. Look for the Weekly Round Up to resume Friday, December 3^rd.

B’Shalom,

Danny

Foundation Spotlight

Conversation Starters for

Your Hanukkah Gathering

During Hanukkah, we gather to celebrate the miracle that is the Jewish people. It is the perfect time to share with your family and friends why the Jewish tradition matters to you. To spark these conversations, we have created a fun and easy-to-use deck of Hanukkah conversation cards.

Click here for access to a printable, 15 card deck of Hanukkah conversation starters.

Upcoming Programming

The Sam Lapidus Montclair Run

November 25, 2021, at 8 PM

The Levite Jewish Community Center is thrilled to welcome the community back, in person, for the 45th annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run. The SLMR started in 1976 as the Montclair Run and quickly grew in popularity throughout the state. Now hosting approximately 1500 runners of all ages, the SLMR serves as a Thanksgiving tradition for many families and out-of-town visitors. The SLMR is the largest annual fundraising event supporting the LJCC.

In 2009 the run was renamed to honor Sam Lapidus. Sam lost his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a form of childhood cancer, in November 2008 - just nine days before his 15th birthday. Five dollars of every runner's registration is donated to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama in Sam’s memory.

Grand Menorah Lighting at The Summit

November 28, 2021, from 5 - 6 PM

The Matzah Ball

December 2, 2021, at 8 PM

Early bird tickets sale ends TODAY!

Early Bird Tickets on Sale Here!

Our Magnificent Maestro: A Musical Evening to Honor Paul Mosteller

Saturday, December 11 at 7 PM

Kindly RSVP by December 7th!

Israel Unplugged

Info session Sunday, December 12th, 2021, from 10 - 11 AM

Contact Florina for more info!

Annual Meeting and Board Installation

January 23, 2022, 1- 3 PM

Community Programs

Birmingham Hadassah Book Club: The Fox Hunt: A Refugee’s Memoir of Coming to America – Mohammed Al Samawi – facilitator Diane Slaughter

Sunday, November 21 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Birmingham Chapter of Hadassah

New participants are warmly invited.

Please contact Tammi Caldwell-Horn (tamarmichal67@gmail.com) for Zoom link

Temple Beth-EL Sisterhood Bake Sale

Sunday, November 21 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

Drive-by pick up

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with

Southside Faith Communities

Tuesday, November 23 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

On Tuesday, November 23rd join Rabbi Norry and our Southside faith neighbors for this annual coming together in prayer. Capacity is limited and attendees are expected to follow TBE’s current COVID policy.

You can also watch the service virtually on the Temple Beth El Facebook or YouTube.

Temple Beth El is pleased to be hosting this year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Service!

Lunchtime Torah Study

Wednesday, November 24 @ 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Temple Emanu-El

This Torah study meets via Zoom and will cover that week’s Torah portion. All levels are welcome.

45th Annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run

Thursday, November 25 @ 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Levite Jewish Community Center

Please join us for the 45th annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 25th at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Registration is open now for this extremely fun and rewarding, family-friendly, community event.

The Sam Lapidus Montclair Run honors the short but very full life of Sam Lapidus, who died of Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of childhood cancer, in November 2008 – just nine days before his 15th birthday. Funds raised from the run will be donated to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama and the Levite Jewish Community Center.

For more information head to bhamjcc.org.

Beit Midrash: Subversive Sequels in the Bible

Thursday, November 25 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

Rabbi Norry’s virtual Beit Midrash will focus on Judy Klitzner’s book Subversive Sequels in the Bible: How Biblical Stories Mine and Undermine Each Other. Each class will focus on a chapter of this book. The book will not be required, though students are encouraged to read along!

Join here!

Grand Menorah Lighting at The Summit

Sunday, November 28 @ 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Chabad of Alabama

Grand Menorah Lighting at the Summit!

Lunchtime Torah Study

Wednesday, December 1 @ 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Temple Emanu-El

This Torah study meets via Zoom and will cover that week’s Torah portion. All levels are welcome.

Virtual Candle Lighting at TBE

Wednesday, December 1 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

Save the date for a virtual candle lighting with your Temple Beth El community. We’ll light the menorah, engage in some music and trivia with Rabbi Norry, and share DIY ideas for a fun Hanukkah-at-home submitted by our TBE lay leaders.

Join Zoom Meeting Here!

Beit Midrash: Subversive Sequels in the Bible

Thursday, December 2 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

Join here!

Matzah Ball

Thursday, December 2 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Chabad of Alabama, and You Belong in Birmingham, and The Birmingham Jewish Federation’s NextGen Group

You are Invited to Birmingham’s first Matzah Ball on December 2nd, from 8:00 pm-10:00 PM! Dress to impress in your favorite holiday cocktail outfit and your fanciest face mask, and join us on the upper level of Avondale Brewery for a Hanukkah celebration featuring a DJ, drinks, sweet treats, and menorah lighting.

Early bird tickets are $18 until November 19th, and then $20 until November 29th! The Matzah Ball is hosted by Temple Beth El, Temple Emanu-El, Chabad and You Belong in Birmingham, and The Birmingham Jewish Federation’s NextGen Group (ages 21-40).

Get your tickets here!

ShulHouse Rock Family Shabbat: Hanukkah Edition

Saturday, December 4 @ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Temple Beth-El

Save the date for a special Hanukkah edition of ShulHouse Rock Family Shabbat! Along with a Shir Hadash family service, participatory opportunities for teens, and Tot Shabbat, we’ll have a special Hanukkah-cookie-making activity hosted by Sisterhood. RSVP to Margaret at mnorman@templebeth-el.net.

Detailed schedule coming soon!