Mensch Adventures
May 16 @ 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.
Shavuot Learning with Rabbi Wright
May 16 @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
Join us for this special learning session with Rabbi Wright as we explore Shavuot together. Shavuot, the “Feast of Weeks,” is celebrated seven weeks after Passover (Pesach). Since the counting of this period (sefirot ha-omer) begins on the second evening of Passover, Shavuot takes place exactly 50 days after the (first) Seder. Although its origins are to be found in an ancient grain harvest festival, Shavuot has long been identified with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Book of Ruth Text Study with Cantor Wittner
May 16 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
A Shavuot tradition is to study late into the evening. Led by Cantor Wittner, we will read the book of Ruth and dissect the text with Rabbinical commentary and questioning.
"The New Jewish Canon”:
A Conversation about Contemporary Judaism
May 18 @ 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.
Lunchtime Torah Study
May 19 @ 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
This Torah study meets via Zoom and will cover that week’s Torah portion. All levels welcome.
Family Friendly Shabbat Picnic
May 22 @ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Temple Beth-El
Description:Join us for frisbee golf, family fun and a delicious spread at this special Shabbat picnic celebrating our seniors and confirmation students. This will be our last Shabbat picnic as we’ll be beating the heat and taking a summer hiatus, so you won’t want to miss it! Bring a chair or picnic blanket and your favorite face mask. More details on the menu coming soon.
Temple Emanu-El Mitzvah Day!
May 23 @ 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
ONE DAY. A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.
Temple Emanu-El invites you to spend the day with us at various organizations around Birmingham giving the greatest gift of time and energy to the community. This is an all-ages event that allows you to work alongside friends and family, and even make new friends through these meaningful projects.
Shalem: The Transformative Power of Shabbat (However Imperfectly You Observe It); A conversation with Sharron Swain
and Rebecca Rothman
May 23 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Have you ever wondered how some people manage to unplug entirely once a week?
Rebecca Rothman and Sharron Swain each grew up not observing Shabbat, but have each – independently and in different ways – incorporated elements of this magical day of rest into their lives as adults. Join us for a conversation with Rebecca and Sharron as they explore what Shabbat looks like in their homes and how it has become more accessible to them both. Whether you are curious about how to get started yourself, or just find the idea intriguing, join us for a fun and enlightening discussion about the transformative power of Shabbat.
Jewish Liturgy 101 with Cantor Wittner
May 25 @ 6:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
What does our liturgy mean? Why do we say the Amidah every day, three times a day? What is the v’ahavta all about?
Jewish liturgy includes reciting, chanting, or singing texts; using ritual objects and wearing ritual garments; performing choreographed physical actions and gestures, and reciting blessings. Although Jewish liturgy includes far more than just the texts that are recited, the texts themselves provide a valuable way of understanding what Jewish prayer and worship is all about. Join us for a three-part series with Cantor Wittner to answer these questions and more in Jewish Liturgy 101.
JCRC Lunch and Learn:
Demonstrating Support for Our LGBTQ Community- A Conversation with the Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC)
Tuesday, June 15th at noon
JCRC
The Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC) provides safe, supportive and affirming space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) individuals in Birmingham and surrounding areas. As a project of Birmingham AIDS Outreach, MCAC is part of their mission to provide broader, more inclusive services to the LGBTQ community.
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.
