Shabbat Shalom:
My mother used to make the most wonderful homemade ice cream. Each summer cream, eggs, sugar, and rock salt would magically appear in our kitchen. My mother would create a velvety concoction from these simple ingredients. It was torture waiting for it to freeze but certainly worth the wait! When I close my eyes, I can still taste the sweet creaminess of summer. To this day, because my mother spoiled me with her frozen dessert, I’ve never been satisfied with “retail” ice cream. We still do our best to shop locally and get as close as we can to those summers in the past, but nothing compares with the homemade variety.
It was because of my childhood experience with ice cream that when Ben & Jerry’s announced they would stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the West Bank I thought the Israelis were lucky because they wouldn’t have to eat that store-bought variety anymore! However, in reality, it is a much more serious situation. This behavior, manifesting through the sale of ice cream, translates as part of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), seeking to pressure Israel. Even if I ate that “retail” ice cream I am sure it would leave a sour taste now.
I have since learned how lucky we are to be Alabamians. As we all know Alabama was the first state to recognize the need for Israel as a Jewish homeland in 1943 and on February 16, 2016, Governor Robert Bentley signed SJR-6 into law. The legislation states that the activities of the BDS movement in Alabama are, “harmful to the State’s relationships with Alabama’s Jewish citizens,” and expressed unconditional support for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The legislation goes on to, “unequivocally denounce and reject the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement and any furtherance of the movement in the state.”
Following that bill, the Governor signed an anti-discrimination bill SB81 on May 10, 2016, which prevents Alabama government entities from contracting with companies engaged in Israel boycotts. Both the Birmingham Jewish Federation and the Israel Consulate General are in contact with state leaders to see how Alabama intends to invoke this legislation. In the meantime, the Federation, as well as the Miller-Cohn family, will be getting our ice cream from other sources and going through our supply list to see what other changes we can make to support Israel.
As I close, I want to just touch on the Olympics for a bit. I was, like many of you, touched by the moment of silence for the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The nation of Israel, as well as the families affected, now have closure – albeit 49 years in the making. May the memories of all those who perished be a blessing.
Final reminder, please take the community survey if you have not already. You can access it by clicking here. I cannot underscore the importance of full community participation. Decisions will be made by all facets of our Jewish community based on this data. Many thanks in advance.
Wishing you a restful Shabbat and a week of peace.
B’Shalom,
Danny
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Help Welcome The Stranger:
Train to Become a Volunteer with ALIRP
Wednesday, August 4th from 6 - 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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Share Your Opinion,
Shape the Future – in 15 minutes!
We want to hear from YOU!
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The Birmingham Jewish Federation wants to understand YOU through an online survey. What changes do you want to see in our community? What services and programs should our Jewish community provide? We want to hear from you. However, you identify Jewishly, please take the survey! Your feedback will help all of our community organizations work together to build a more dynamic and meaningful Greater Birmingham Jewish community for you! |
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The Louisiana Jewish Coalition & August Speaker Series on Israel |
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Inter-Everything Family Friendly Hike!
August 22, 2021 from 9 - 11 AM
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This program is part of Beth El’s new programming series especially for our inter-everything families. Why inter-everything? Because in conversations with our community it’s become clear that interfaith doesn’t cover it. Our community is interfaith, intercultural, inter-denominational and everything beyond and in between. Rather than get caught up on labels we’re looking for chances to connect, and if you and/or your family identify as inter-anything we want to connect with you! Get in touch with Margaret at mnorman@templebeth-el.net with questions or to share your programming ideas!
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Kochavim Registration is Open!
September 18-19, 2021
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We are so excited to gather our 2020-2021 Kindergarteners and 1st Graders for an in-person, one night sleepover program called Kochavim at camp in Utica, MS September 18-19, 2021!
The Kochavim program gives our youngest Jacobs Campers a taste of the Jacobs Camp magic and gives them the opportunity to try out our best activities, make new friends, and gain confidence for a full session at camp in Summer 2022!
A Jacobs Camp alumna and current camp mom wrote this blog post and it perfectly encapsulates why Kochavim works!
Tell your friends with Kindergarten and 1st Graders about this awesome opportunity so they can register too!
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Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, August 4 @ 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.
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.
Summer Beit Midrash: This is Real and
You Are Completely Unprepared
Thursday, August 5 @ 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”
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.
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, August 11 @ 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, August 12 @ 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, August 18 @ 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, August 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”
Inter-Everything Family Friendly Hike
at Red Mountain Park
Sunday, August 22 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Temple Beth-El
Join us for our third inter-everything group event; a family-friendly hike at Red Mountain Park! This is a chance to gather in community with other families and individuals who identify as interfaith/intercultural/interdenominational—inter-anything—while enjoying an outdoor activity at one of our city’s best greenspaces. We’ll meet at the entrance to the park at 9AM and end with a chance to picnic together. Along the way, we’ll even learn a little bit about the Park’s history as a former site of iron and ore mining! Bring a bagged lunch, if you’d like, and we’ll provide some additional snacks and goodies. RSVP to Margaret at mnorman@templebeth-el.net
Birmingham Hadassah Book Club:
Code Name Helaine, by Ariel Lawhon
Sunday, August 22 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Birmingham Chapter of Hadassah
New participants warmly invited!
L’Chaim
Sunday, August 22 @ 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Birmingham Holocaust Education Center
Cost: $50
L’Chaim, Birmingham Holocaust Education Center’s annual fundraising event is honoring Phyllis G. Weinstein, BHEC founder. Presented by the BHEC in collaboration with Red Mountain Theatre, the L’Chaim event will be a combination of entertainment, education, and remembrance. Red Mountain Performing Ensemble students will perform musical selections. The event will be hosted by Birmingham native Alison Lebovitz, a motivational speaker, podcaster, author & TV host of “The A List with Alison Lebovitz” for WTCI-PBS, Chattanooga. L’Chaim will also feature a conversational one-on-one interview with Wolf Blitzer, host of CNN’s “The Situation Room” whose parents were Holocaust Survivors. You can purchase tickets 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 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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