Shabbat Shalom!
When I was in my early twenties and dating Andrew, his grandfather Bobby (z”l) would cut clippings out of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or Chicago Tribune, and save them to give to me during our weekly visits. They would be on various topics he felt would help advance my career. I knew that if he took the time to clip them, then I had to take the time to read them. This continued for over a decade. We lost Bobby close to eight years ago and I miss him and the clippings. Often, they were extremely useful and if they weren’t, I still learned something new. Although Bobby is gone, and my profession has changed, I am blessed to have many of you that send me news articles daily. Through you, my education continues.
Lately, my inbox has been full of articles on antisemitism and Holocaust denial. Though extremely important, those aren’t the articles I want to share with you this week.
I have been reading in awe about two Jewish communities that have withstood the test of time. Two communities that had been separated from the majority of our people for thousands of years only to reemerge and make Aliyah to our homeland of Israel.
The first group I am sure many of you know – Beta Israel. These are African Jews descended from the lost tribe of Dan. This diasporic community was rediscovered in 1854 and for more than 160 years a massive number of people from this community have made Aliyah – most notably during Operations Moses, Joshua and Solomon from 1984-1991. Thanks to social media, I have been able to learn more about this sect of Judaism as well as their practices, which by the way, are quite different than those we practice today. One such tradition is the annual Sigd holiday, which occurs fifty days after Yom Kippur. On that day, thousands of Ethiopian Jews from across Israel ascend to Jerusalem, primarily to the Armon Hanatziv Promenade that overlooks the Old City or to the plaza adjacent to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. Since 2008, the Sigd has been an official Israeli state holiday, though it is mainly observed by members of the country’s 140,000-Ethiopian Jewish community. In Ge’ez, the Ethiopian liturgical language, Sigd means “prostration” or “bowing down”. The holiday commemorates and is patterned after events described in the biblical Book of Nehemiah, chapters 8-10. (Note: Programming on Sigd below).
The other group of “lost” Jews that I read about this week was Bnei Menashe – 235 of whom made Aliyah this month. Hailing from Manipur in northeast India, they are descendants of the lost biblical tribe of Menashe and have preserved the Jewish tradition across 27 centuries of exile. While there are 4,000 people from this community already in Israel, there is yet another 6,000 waiting to come home.
I am delighted to read and report these stories of the survival of our people. Against all odds in the far corners of the earth, our people are coming home to Israel to live freely as Jews and bring their ancient traditions with them for all of us to embrace. I am excited to live in a time in which I can travel to Israel with each of you and take Nora to show her all the colors of the Jewish rainbow.
I want to close with a moment to commemorate the third Anniversary of the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh. May the memories all who perished memories be a blessing.
Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat – keep those articles coming.
B’Shalom,
Danny
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The Story of Jews in the South
The Museum of the
Southern Jewish Experience
New Orleans, LA
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"Though a small minority, Jews played a key role in the economic development of the South, creating businesses and shops in hundreds of rural towns. Today, many of their descendants have moved to large urban centers like New Orleans and Atlanta, with many involved with the arts, philanthropy and civic life.
As newcomers to America, theirs was not the Ellis Island and Lower East Side narrative usually associated with the migration saga. Some came to the South as early as Colonial times and later from Germany, France and Eastern Europe. Instead of working in sweatshops and living in crowded urban ghettos, the newcomers frequently moved to the frontier, supporting themselves as itinerant peddlers.
In the loneliness of the rural South, the vendors were welcomed for much needed goods and news. Some settled into hospitable communities and established shops or bought land, something that had often been prohibited in the old country. Often, they would be the only Jews in the region.
The museum’s first gallery, “From Immigrants to Southerners,” tells the settlement story. Front and center is the steamer trunk that Rachmeil Shapiro brought with him in 1905 as he journeyed from Russia to Germany to Galveston, Texas.
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Peddlers and Merchants exhibit
Frank Aymami/The Museum of Southern Jewish Experience
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But the Southern Jewish story also has a dark side. While some Jews stood with abolitionists, others were slaveholders. In a gallery centered on the antebellum period and the Civil War, there is a bill of sale for a 12-year-old named Harriet, “a slave for life,” sold for $1,000 to an Arkansas woman named Clara Wiseberg. The transaction was witnessed by E.E. Levy.
Creating a new institution addressing controversial topics wasn’t easy. And launching a new museum in the midst of a pandemic has presented challenges. A shortage of raw materials delayed exhibit construction. Fund-raising was hindered because some potential donors wouldn’t travel. A formal opening scheduled for October 2020 was canceled because of Covid. Instead, the museum opened quietly in May.
A second attempt at a public launch was scheduled for early October with a formal dinner for donors and a street fair. But with the resurgence of the virus in Louisiana, it has been postponed until spring. Then came Hurricane Ida. Backup generators saved the collection, but the museum had to shut down for two weeks.
'We want to expand people’s understanding of what it means to be a Southerner, a Jew and ultimately an American,' Mr. Hoffman said. 'This is an American story. We think everybody can learn something about our great nation by exploring our experience.'"
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The New York Times
By Claudia Dreifus
Read the full article here!
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Jewish Fertility Foundation
Launch Party!
November 4 at 7:00 PM
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Sigd - A Virtual Celebration
of Jewish Unity
November 3rd at 11 AM CST
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Please join us on November 3rd, 2021 at 11 AM CST for a virtual celebration of Jewish Unity!
For hundreds of years, generation after generation, Ethiopian Jews celebrated a holy day that is dedicated to prayers reflecting the community’s centuries-old aspirations to return to the holy city, Jerusalem.
When Yom Kippur ends, the 7-weeks count begins towards the Sigd Day. While Yom Kipur is a day of individual repentance, the Sigd is the day of communal reflection and Tikkun.
In modern times, the Sigd symbolizes the never-ending dream of a united Jewish peoplehood and Tikkun Olam. This is a wonderful opportunity for world Jewry to take this journey together in celebrating the Sigd.
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Outsmarting Antisemitism
November 3 - December 1
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In honor of Veterans Day:
An Evening with
U.S. Representative Elaine Luria
Monday, November 8, 2021 at 7PM
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The 21st Nashville Jewish Film Festival
October 14th - November 11
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You don't have to be in Nashville to attend this awesome event! The 21st Annual Nashville Jewish Film Festival is quickly approaching and you can attend virtually! This years festival runs from October 14 through November 11. If you have not done so yet, head over to their website to view this years trailers. |
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You can view the digital program guide through the link below.
Please note before purchasing tickets that certain films are restricted to geographic areas. Restrictions are listed in red below the film descriptions.
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If you joined virtually last year, you already have an Eventive login under your email. Remember to login to view your account. You will be able to reset your password if you do not remember. You can use the 'NJFF Eventive Site' link below.
If you did not join us virtually last year, don't worry, you can create an account when you pre-order tickets.
Use the link 'How To Fest' below, which has virtual instructions on how to buy a single ticket as well as how to access your tickets if you have bought a sponsorship.
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Momentum: A Year Long Journey to Becoming Your Best Self |
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2021 Lion of Judah and
Pomegranate Event
Featuring Noa Tishby, Israeli-American Actress, Producer, Activist, and Author
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 6PM
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*This is a program for the Lions of Judah
and Pomegranate Society giving levels.
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The Matzah Ball
December 2, 2021 at 8PM
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Birmingham Hadassah Book Club:
Auschwitz Lullaby – Mario Escobar –
Sunday, October 24 @ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Birmingham Chapter of Hadassah
New participants warmly invited
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, October 27 @ 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.
Beit Midrash with Rabbi Norry: Five Remarkable Objects in the Bible
Thursday, October 28 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
This Fall, Rabbi Norry will lead the Beit Midrash through a class on “Five Remarkable Objects in the Bible.” Discover a new way to read Torah by looking at remarkable objects that appear in the story line. While most people focus on the characters in the stories, we often overlook an object – a thing – that plays an important role and drives the story forward. We will adopt an artistic, or curatorial approach, and ask “what is it,” “what is it made of,” “where is it,” and “when does it appear in the story?” “Is it a singular object or are there a lot of them?” “What became of it?” “Where is it now?”
The Beit Midrash meets every week from 12-1PM via Zoom.
ShulHouse Rock Family Shabbat
(with PJ Library)
Saturday, October 30 @ 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Temple Beth-El
All kids are invited to come in costume for this special Halloween-weekend Shabbat.
Register here JUST for Tot Shabbat.
At 12:00 all will be invited to join for a kid-friendly outdoor Kiddush luncheon or take a lunch to go.
11:15 – 12:00: Tot Shabbat with PJ Library (to-go activity option available)
Don’t Forget to Register for ShulHouse Rock to participate in all family programming!
PJ Library’s Shabbat in the Bag –
Tot Shabbat Morning
Saturday, October 30 @ 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
PJ Library and Temple Beth-El
PJ Library joins TBE’s Tot Shabbat to make our
own tzedakah boxes.
Register here for Tot Shabbat!
Kesher: A Community Teen Program
Thursday, November 4 @ 5:30-7:30 PM
N.E Miles Jewish Day School , The Birmingham Jewish Federation, Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El
The second session of Kesher: A Jewish Teen Experience! Students will choose from exciting elective classes, socialize, and nosh with their peers and engage in a whole-group learning over 12 sessions. Program open for 8th-12th graders! See graphic above for more information. Financial aid is available.
Jewish Fertility Foundation-Birmingham (JFF-BHM) Kickoff Event, A Program of CJFS
Thursday, November 4 @ 7:00 PM
CJFS
Come join us for a women’s only event to celebrate the launch of Jewish Fertility Foundation here in Birmingham! Kosher wine, cheese, and desserts. There will be speakers talking about their personal journey with infertility along with talking about the mission and goals of JFF-BHM.
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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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