Shabbat Shalom!
Before I begin this week’s message I want to thank those of you who have completed the community survey and urge those of you who haven’t yet taken it to do so. It can be accessed here or on the BJF website under the Community Survey button. Responses are due no later than August 7th. It is imperative that each of you and your family members over the age of 18 take this survey so that all voices are heard and represented in the Federation’s strategic plan. Many thanks in advance.
Now to the fun stuff! This past weekend, The Birmingham Jewish Federation held its final campaign event for our NextGen and You Belong in Birmingham Groups. More than 115 young adults gathered at Back 40 Brewing Company for food, fun, camaraderie and to learn more about the Federation. This group is responsible for making more than 50 NEW gifts to this year’s annual campaign. In addition, they raised another $1000 that evening to support Antisemitism Education programs through the Federation. This was our first program dedicated specifically to this age group and they came out in full force. I am very proud of their support and enthusiasm and look forward to their continued involvement in the BJF. I am sharing some of the pictures from the evening below.
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In other news, I am thrilled to announce that the Birmingham Jewish Federation is talking with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) to bring a Shaliach to Birmingham in 2022. We are also meeting with our sister city, Rosh Ha’Ayin, to bring a robust number of programs to you this fall. If you would like to be involved in this partnership planning, please reach out to Florina at FlorinaN@bjf.org.
Last, but certainly not least, I have been doing my best to meet as many of you as possible in person. I am sure there are many of you I have missed and would love nothing more to connect and get to know each of you better. Please don’t be shy. Send me a note to Dannyc@bjf.org and we will get a visit on the calendar immediately.
Wishing you are a restful Shabbat and a week of peace,
Danny
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Jewish Fertility Foundation and CJFS Partner to Serve Birmingham |
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Julie Cohen recalls that on the road to becoming the parents of a 4-year-old and twin toddlers, she and her husband went through “a lot of pain.”
“And I like to think that we’ve gone through that so that I can help others on that journey," said Julie, manager of the new Birmingham office of the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF), a program of CJFS.
Founded in Atlanta in 2015, JFF is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance, emotional support and educational programs for people experiencing infertility. JFF has the goal of expanding nationally, and Birmingham is the first small Jewish community to offer its services. The organization’s Birmingham presence is made possible by a partnership between JFF and CJFS with support from the Birmingham Jewish Foundation.
CJFS Executive Director Lauren Schwartz said the partnership is a perfect fit for CJFS, which works to strengthen families and improve mental health and wellness. “CJFS is always evolving to meet community needs, and we’re thrilled to be bringing JFF’s successful model of education, support and connection for families experiencing infertility to Birmingham,” she said.
When she was going through her own infertility journey, Julie said she would have appreciated having a Jewish support resource. “People would invite me to Christian support groups, but that did not feel comfortable for my husband or me. I personally have reached out to others who I knew were going through it, but there has never been a formal network for Jewish families. Family and friends want to be supportive, but it’s difficult if they don’t have firsthand experience with the roller coaster of emotions that goes along with infertility. JFF’s programming addresses all of these issues and also assists with the high cost of fertility treatment for those eligible. I can’t wait to build this resource for our community!”
Julie works part-time as a certified Speech Language Pathologist, and she will work part-time for JFF. “These are my two passions, and I’m grateful that I’ll be able to pursue them both,” she said. “I think JFF has the potential to help a lot of people in our community.”
Jewish Fertility Foundation―Birmingham will offer emotional support, financial assistance and educational programs related to infertility.
To learn more, contact Julie Cohen,
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Knowing Your Genetic Risk
Can Be Life-Saving
A Virtual Information Program
Tuesday, July 20th from
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM CST
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- 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
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A Program of the BJF's Israel Connections Committee
Monday, July 26th from 11 AM - 12 PM
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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.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
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Help Welcome The Stranger:
Train to Become a Volunteer with ALIRP
Wednesday, August 4th from 6 PM - 8 PM
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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.
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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:
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Committee Volunteer – Committees include Advocacy, Communications, Direct Support, Education, Finance, and Fundraising and Outreach.
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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).
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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:
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Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Monday, July 19 @ 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”
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”
Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Monday, July 26 @ 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”
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, July 28 @ 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 29 @ 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”
Community Wide Volunteer Training and Orientation for Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership (ALIRP)
Wednesday, August 4 @ 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
JCRC
The JCRC is spearheading a community wide initiative to support the work of ALIRP. Community members will be oriented and trained to qualify to volunteer as CARE Team and Committee members with the ALIRP. Dinner will be provided staring at 5:30 and training will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. The Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, is a 501C-3 charitable organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum-seekers locally and globally through direct assistance, education, and advocacy.
Please note that for the health and safety of all, we respectfully request that only those who are fully vaccinated attend in person. Register for virtual participation here.
In the News: The Holocaust Revealed in Birmingham Newspapers
Thursday, August 5 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Birmingham Holocaust Education Center
BHEC interns and UAB students, Chris Bertolini and Emma Herr, have enriched the BHEC with their year-long research into how Birmingham newspapers reported the unfolding events in Nazi Germany. Join us as we explore “What We Knew?” and "When?” REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Click here to register.
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 Federation and Foundation have been having issues with our post office box. Please send all correspondence to our physical address at
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The Birmingham Jewish Federation
@jewishbirmingham
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