Shabbat Shalom!
As I started to write this week’s greeting, it occurred to me that many of you know about the agencies The Birmingham Jewish Federation supports, but you may not be aware of the depth of programming the Federation is implementing on behalf of our community. In May of last year, the BJF relaunched the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) after an eight-year hiatus. The JCRC was brought back with the mission to build bridges of understanding within our Jewish community and to our broader community, to combat Antisemitism, to educate in support of a strong and secure Israel, and to advocate for public policy and social issues important to our Jewish community.
Chaired by David Romanoff and staffed by Consultant Joyce Shevin, the JCRC is the convening body of the Birmingham Jewish Community, made up of representatives of each of our synagogues and agencies. The JCRC uses its voice to respond to issues that affect us as Jews. Most recently, the JCRC contacted each of our Alabama Representatives and Senators to express concern over antisemitic and xenophobic remarks made by Georgia’s new Congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Last fall, the JCRC unveiled a Community Impact Microgrant Initiative to invest in transformative and collaborative programs that will create powerful experiences and spark long-term systemic change and social improvements for our communities. The goal is to engage other faiths, cultures, races, nationalities, neighborhoods-- all in an effort to create a more unified Birmingham. To date, three microgrants have been granted: The Youth Change Campaign of the Alabama Coalition for Equity, Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, and Anytown Alabama. I look forward to providing the community updates as the programs funded by our microgrants start taking shape. More information about the Microgrant and the online application can be found here: https://www.bjf.org/microgrant
This year the JCRC also launched a "Lunch & Learn” series in an effort to raise awareness in our Jewish community about area organizations that are working to repair our world. Program topics have included our local response to refugees and the rise of extremism in America.
The reestablishment of the JCRC is vital to our community and as you can see, is laying the groundwork for collaboration and strengthening ties to the broader Birmingham community as well. If you would like to become involved in the JCRC or would like to receive its e-newsletter, please contact Joyce Shevin at jcrc@bjf.org.
A hearty thanks to those of you who have sent in your pledge cards or have committed your gift through calls with our solicitors for our 2021 Annual Campaign. It is so important to get those commitments in, as it determines the funding we can provide our local agencies and overseas programs this year. If you haven’t received your card please feel free to reach out to me, and I personally will ensure that it gets to you. We hope to have all commitments in by Passover, but payment is not due until December 31.
Wishing you a restful Shabbat and a week of peace.
B’Shalom,
Danny
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See your Federation dollars at work! |
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On Wednesday, March 24th, join us for a frank look at the challenges and issues facing our prison system and what our state government is doing to address over incarceration in our state.
The JCRC Lunch & Learn series are an effort to raise awareness in our Jewish community about area organizations and people who are working to repair our world. This program is being offered in conjunction with Temple Beth El’s Tirdof series. Tirdof programs provide opportunity for reflection, conversation and action.
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Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day):
Virtual Tour of Israel
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April 11 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
The LJCC invites the community to travel with us to Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel).
Julian Resnick will be our guide as we virtually tour a few of Israel’s most popular sites and secret gems. After the virtual tour, Julian will host a live question and answer session from his home in Israel.
This special program is part of our week-long Israel To-GO Yom HaAtzmaut celebration.
Julian is a highly respected Israeli tour guide who has guided many trips for Birmingham groups in the past. Don’t miss your chance to learn about Israel from one of the best tour guides in the business.
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Mesch AZA Panera Fundraiser! |
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Jewish Summer Camp:
Scholarships Available
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There is great hope that the Summer of 2021 will see Jewish summer camps once again be filled with fellowship, fun and great learning experiences. Most Jewish camps cancelled their 2020 sessions due to COVID-19 but are gearing up to welcome campers back in 2021. Collat Jewish Family Services, with support from the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, is ready to help families apply for both local and regional scholarships.
Although many Jewish camp scholarships are awarded based on financial need, campers currently in grades 1 through 9 who will be experiencing their FIRST Jewish sleepaway camp experience are also eligible for a one-time $1,500 grant with no financial need requirement. This special funding is offered through the Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Experience Incentive Grant Program.
In addition, need-based scholarships are available for campers of all ages, regardless of camp experience, through the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, Jewish Children’s Regional Services, many synagogues and many of the camps themselves. Application deadlines are SOON so begin your application process today.
In past years, scholarship funds have been used to help Birmingham families send their children to an array of Jewish camps, including:
To learn more about Jewish camp scholarships and how to apply, contact Lynn Rathmell,
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Mensch Adventures
March 21 @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Sunday afternoon, in-person, socially-distant, outdoor adventures for the sake of building empathy, integrity, kindness, and civic-mindedness. During our monthly adventures, we will focus on building our awareness of contemporary social challenges and Torah’s power to help us be better thinkers, feelers, and doers. Students will need to wear masks at all times and we ask that you bring your own kosher-style snacks and water bottles. This is a program organized out of Beth El for 4th-8th graders.
It is open to all children in the community. Contact Margaret if you are interested in participating or would like more information (mnorman@templebet-el.net).
PJ Library’s : Passover, Its in the Bag!
– Its Crunch Time!
March 21 @ 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
PJ Library
Its in the Bag monthly programs from PJ Library.
Your Bag has ingredients for Passover friendly granola. Zoom in to make it together. Register here!
Introduction to Judaism with
Rabbi Adam Wright
March 23 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
Join us for an engaging 12-session course for anyone interested in exploring Jewish life. Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those rearing Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering a “return” – (conversion), and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Our programs welcome people from all backgrounds. Topics include holidays, life cycle celebrations, theology and core beliefs, prayer, Torah, history, antisemitism, and the Holocaust, Zionism, and Israel, the North American Jewish experience, and the tapestry of the Jewish people today. Register here.
"The New Jewish Canon”:
A Conversation about Contemporary Judaism
March 23 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
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.
JewCurious?
March 24 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Temple Beth-El
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. To register: Click here to register!
Jewish Resilience
with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life
April 1 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
A Jewish proverb implores us: “Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. Come together for “Jewish Resilience,” a 60 minute virtual program to learn how communities can build resilience with Jewish ritual, psychological understanding, and connection through helping others. We will explore our people’s resilience through our Exodus from Egypt with a tactile mediation, draw wisdom from Jewish practices that encourage social support to keep us going, and identify resilience-building strategies that reach across generations. Register here!
Inter-everything Virtual Meet Up
April 8 @ 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
In February we met as an “inter-everything” group to share recipes, swap stories and “cook-a-long.” In April, on the heels of the Passover/Easter week, we’ll have a chance to gather around cutting-edge interfaith content for stimulating discussion and meaningful socializing. This workshop is planned with busy parents and individuals in mind; no pre-work required, just come ready to watch a short, interesting video, and to listen and share. Those who register by April 1st will receive a free drink kit drop-off/pick-up!
This group is open to those who identify as inter-anything. Individuals of inter-anything heritage/background, as well as those in multi-faith, multi-cultural and beyond relationships are welcome to join. Questions? Not sure if this group is for you? Reach out to mnorman@templebeth-el.net to learn more. 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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The Birmingham Jewish Federation
@jewishbirmingham
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