Shabbat Shalom:
I hope you all enjoyed the 4th of July holiday weekend. I can’t believe we are five weeks out from the start of school. It seems like it just ended. Although school is out, I have a little “homework” assignment I’d like to ask the community to help me complete.
This week, as part of the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s Strategic Planning Initiative, a community survey was recently released via email. The Birmingham Jewish Federation wants to understand what is important to YOU through this online survey. What changes do you want to see in our community? What services and programs should our Jewish community provide? Your feedback will help all of our community organizations work together to build a more dynamic and meaningful greater Birmingham Jewish community for you! You can access the survey by clicking here or visiting BJF.org and clicking on the community survey button at the top of the page. We are asking that every member of your household over the age of 18 complete this survey. We look forward to sharing the results with the entire community as we move into the final phases of planning after the High Holidays.
This Saturday evening, the BJF will host its final campaign event for our NextGen and You Belong in Birmingham groups. We have more than 100 participants between the ages of twenty and forty-five signed up to join us for an evening at Back 40! If you have not yet registered, you may still come and pay at the door.
We are currently 75% to our campaign goal. If you have not yet sent in your pledge card, please do so or make your pledge online here. Thank you in advance for your consideration and know that your dollars will be used to maintain our strong and healthy local agencies and provide support for Jews around the world. We are committed to having a thriving Jewish community in Birmingham and hope you will join us in paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Wishing you a restful Shabbat and a week of peace.
B’Shalom,
Danny
|
|
Summer Camp is Back in Action
Over 1,200 summer camp shlichim
made their way to North America!
Check it out below!
|
|
The Israeli Shlichim have arrived at camps for the summer! We’re #FedProud to be an integral partner to The Jewish Agency for Israel's Shlichim program connecting thousands of North American children with Israeli people and culture.
|
|
Don't Forget!
NextGen and YBIB Campaign Event
Saturday, July 10th at 8 CST
|
|
Double Book Launch with TK Thorne: Behind the Magic Curtain and House of Stone
Thursday, July 15th from 6 PM - 8 PM
|
|
 |
Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days
–
Over time, the past becomes muddied, complexities fade into predominant, simplified narratives. T.K. Thorne speaks about history’s forgotten stories during the 1950s and 60s in Birmingham, Alabama, a city that changed the course of the nation. Some are tales of courage from men and women of the Jewish and Christian communities, some reveal secret law enforcement intelligence operations, and some highlight ironies and unlikely characters who contributed to justice. Today’s polarized and changing environment in many ways reflects the turbulence of the civil rights era. The lessons learned from a deeper look into that time can help us navigate our present and choose our future.
|
|
|
|
House of Stone –
Book two of the Magic City Stories trilogy
Rose Brighton, a Birmingham police detective, the last witch of her House. Her unique gift reveals the truth about the death of a university professor, plunging Rose into a race to uncover a plot that will affect countless lives.
|
|
|
|
Join us for a special, double book launch event with acclaimed local author TK Thorne! We’ll be celebrating the release of not one, but two new books; Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days and House of Stone, part of the Magic City Stories trilogy.
This event will include a talk with TK Thorne, a chance to purchase signed copies of these two fantastic new releases, and light refreshments.
Please note that this event is going to take place indoors at Temple Beth El and that if you are not vaccinated we will ask you to please wear a face mask when you are in the building and maintain social distancing. All are welcome at this community event. You can read more about TK Thorne at https://tkthorne.com/.
|
|
Knowing Your Genetic Risk
Can Be Life-Saving
A Virtual Information Program
Tuesday, July 20th from
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM CST
|
|
- Learn how JScreen’s genetic tests can help ensure healthy babies and prevent cancer
- Inspire others to know about their genetic health risks
- Engage your community in saving lives!
info@jscreen.org
|
|
A Program of the BJF's Israel Connections Committee
Monday, July 26th from 11 AM - 12 PM
|
|
Please join the Birmingham, Greater New Orleans, and Lehigh Valley Jewish Federations for a pop-up lunch & learn program as we hear from Iris Posklinksy, Head of Partnership in the North Region of the Jewish Agency for Israel, – on Monday, July 26th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CDT.
Iris will lead us through a discussion of the Complexities & Trends in the Jewish Nation including:
- Demographic data and what it means – what is the future of the Jewish Nation
- Changes and Challenges in Israel - Diaspora relations.
- Israel as common denominator to a partisan issue.
- Trends in Jewish Philanthropy.
- Historic and contemporary perspectives.
This event is jointly hosted by the Rosh Ha'ayin Partnership2Gether Steering Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Birmingham Jewish Federation, and the Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley, 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. |
|
Help Welcome The Stranger:
Train to Become a Volunteer with ALIRP
Wednesday, August 4th from 6 PM - 8 PM
|
|
Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership (ALIRP) is an interfaith group of religious leaders and laypersons, as well as representatives of other community groups who have come together for the purpose of helping refugees and asylum-seekers, in light of the current migration crisis that has displaced millions of people.
|
|
The Jewish Community Relations Council and the LJCC, with help from TBE and TEE’s Social Action Committees, are hosting a community-wide volunteer training session for Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership (ALIRP), at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, Wednesday, August 4th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, (dinner will be provided starting at 5:30 pm). Training will also be offered virtually that evening.
There is more than one way to be an active volunteer for ALIRP:
-
Committee Volunteer – Committees include Advocacy, Communications, Direct Support, Education, Finance, and Fundraising and Outreach.
-
Be a part of a CARE Team - CARE teams provide direct support for each family. CARE team volunteers must complete a background check. Volunteers will be responsible for the cost of their background check ($40.00).
-
Responder for Immediate Needs- At times ALIRP has situations or needs arise that need to be dealt with immediately. You will be added to a JCRC contact list to help meet them quickly.
Please note that for the health and safety of all, we respectfully request that only those who are fully vaccinated attend in person.
To register for virtual participation, click below:
|
|
NextGen/YBIB Campaign Event
Saturday, July 10 @ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
The Birmingham Jewish Federation
Join us on Saturday, July 10th, at Back Forty Beer Company Birmingham for an evening of friends, fun, and more! This event features a live music performance by The Peytones. Join us for live music, drinks, desserts, and a great time with our community.
Purchase tickets here:
Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Monday, July 12 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Our Monday Beit Midrash is planning to continue meeting through the summer, on Mondays and Thursdays from 12-1PM. In preparation for the High Holidays they will be reading This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew.
Join using the link below and the password “Learning”
The Tikkun Middot Project
Tuesday, July 13 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
The Tikkun Middot Project is an innovative, national program to promote character development through mindful engagement with the Jewish Mussar tradition. Beth El is participating by building a small group that will meet to study, discuss, and practice character-forming techniques. Created by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, the purpose of the program is to bring positive communal change by helping individuals acknowledge and reduce negative behavioural patterns. The course will help you be more skillful at navigating challenging situations by building up your wisdom and compassion. What Kind of Commitment Is This? Participants will meet once a month for two hours over the course of nine months. In between sessions, participants will check in with a chavruta (study partner) at least once, to study relevant material and check-in for approximately 30-45 minutes. During each unit participants will learn about an action and a focus phrase they can use to help them work on the character trait for that month. Registration is required and the group will close after the first session so that we can build intimacy as a group. Zoom registration can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvf-mtpjstHdWJe056Wc4UphFqWppxPmP9
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, July 14 @ 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 welcome.
Double Book Launch with TK Thorne: Behind the Magic Curtain and House of Stone
Thursday, July 15 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Join us for a special, double book launch event with acclaimed local author TK Thorne! We’ll be celebrating the release of not one, but two new books; Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days and House of Stone, part of the Magic City Stories trilogy. This event will include a talk with TK Thorne, a chance to purchase signed copies of these two fantastic new releases, and light refreshments. RSVP is required and you can reserve your free ticket at www.tkthorne.eventbrite.com.
Please note that this event is going to take place indoors at Temple Beth El and that if you are not vaccinated we will ask you to please wear a face mask when you are in the building and maintain social distancing. All are welcome at this community event. You can read more about TK Thorne at https://tkthorne.com/.
Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Thursday, July 19 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Our Thursday Beit Midrash is planning to continue meeting through the summer, on Mondays and Thursdays from 12-1PM. In preparation for the High Holidays they will be reading This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew.
Join using the link below and the password “Learning”
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, July 21 @ 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 welcome.
Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Thursday, July 22 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Our Thursday Beit Midrash is planning to continue meeting through the summer, on Mondays and Thursdays from 12-1PM. In preparation for the High Holidays they will be reading This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew.
Join using the link below and the password “Learning”
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.
|
|
|
|
The Federation and Foundation have been having issues with our post office box. Please send all correspondence to our physical address at
|
|
|
|
The Birmingham Jewish Federation
@jewishbirmingham
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
