Inter-Everything Hike +
Picnic at Red Mountain Park
Sunday, June 6 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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 10AM 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.
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.
The Tikkun Middot Project
Tuesday, June 8 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
The Tikkun Middot Project is an innovative, national program to promote character development through mindful engagement with the Jewish Mussar tradition. Beth El is participating by building a small group that will meet to study, discuss, and practice character-forming techniques. Created by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, the purpose of the program is to bring positive communal change by helping individuals acknowledge and reduce negative behavioural patterns. The course will help you be more skillful at navigating challenging situations by building up your wisdom and compassion. Beginning November 17th, Rebbitzen Bethany will be leading a group through this program using a curriculum created by Rabbi David Jaffe. What Kind of Commitment Is This? Participants will meet once a month for two hours over the course of nine months. In between sessions, participants will check in with a chavruta (study partner) at least once, to study relevant material and check-in for approximately 30-45 minutes. During each unit participants will learn about an action and a focus phrase they can use to help them work on the character trait for that month. Registration is required and the group will close after the first session so that we can build intimacy as a group.
If you have questions about this program,
Lunchtime Torah Study
Wednesday, June 9 @ 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.
Ethiopian Culture in Conversation
Sunday, June 13 at 11:00 AM CT
The Birmingham Jewish Federation
Join our partnership cities, for a fun and interactive celebration of Ethiopian culture – on Sunday, June 13th 2021 at 11:00 AM CDT/7:00 PM Israeli time. This event will be held in English.
This event is jointly hosted by the Rosh Ha'ayin Partnership2Gether Steering Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and the Birmingham Jewish Federation, in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel's Partnership2Gether program.
JCRC Lunch and Learn:
Demonstrating Support for Our LGBTQ Community- A Conversation with the Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC)
Tuesday, June 15 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.
Virtual Flower Arranging with
Gen XYZ and Beth El Sisterhood
Tuesday, June 15 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Join Temple Beth El Sisterhood and Gen XYZ for a virtual flower arranging workshop with Wild Things Flowers and Curiosities; a woman-owned and operated floral shop in Homewood. Participants can register by calling Wild Things at 205 703 8821 and letting them know you would like to join. The morning of June 15th participants will be able to pick up their flowers at Temple Beth El, or Wild Things (located at 2815B 18th St S, Homewood, AL). We will then gather virtually and practice the art of flower arranging together, with the leadership of a skilled professional!
The cost is $40 to participate in the flower arranging and you can register anytime before noon on June 14th.
Zoom links will be sent out the morning of the program.
If you would like to participate without purchasing flowers, or have questions about this workshop, email Margaret Norman at mnorman@templebeth-el.net
Stand Up To Antisemitism Town Hall
Wednesday, June 16 @ 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
The Birmingham Jewish Federation
The Birmingham Jewish Federation is hosting “Stand Up To Antisemitism” Wednesday, June 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-el (2100 Highland Ave). The purpose of the Town Hall is to not only educate the Jewish community about the need to stand up and speak out, but to also engage our brothers and sisters from the broader community to demonstrate support at this time.
YBIB Executive Chef Experience
Friday, June 16 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Birmingham Jewish Federation | YBIB
Join us for an evening of delicious food and drinks prepared by an executive chef at Back Forty Beer Company Birmingham. You don't want to miss this incredible experience. This is a YBIB event and is open to ages 21-35.
Birmingham, AL 35222 United States
House of Learning: Southern Jewish Foodways with Dr. Marcie Cohen Ferris
Saturday, June 17 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Temple Beth-El
Spoonbread, shnecken and sweet and sour Passover meatballs—these are just a few of the recipes you can find in Marcie Cohen Ferris’ seminal work on Southern Jewish foodways, Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South. Join Engagement and Collaboration Coordinator Margaret Norman and Dr. Cohen Ferris for a delicious conversation on Southern Jewish food and the stories and histories that food reveals.
In addition to Matzah Ball Gumbo, Dr. Cohen Ferris is author of The Edible South: The Power of Food and the Making of an American Region and co-editor of Jewish Roots in Southern Soil: A New History, as well as Professor Emeritus of American Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Participants who register by 6/10 will receive a complimentary snack drop off! If you live more than five miles from Temple Beth El, we invite you to pick up your snacks. Visit the Temple Beth El calendar for registration information.
“Legends, Lessons, Legacies: The Impact of Jews on the Civil Rights Movement”
Monday, June 21 @ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Southern Jewish Life/Israel InSight Magazines
“Legends, Lessons, Legacies: The Impact of Jews on the Civil Rights Movement.” This program will feature author TK Thorne talking about her new book “Behind the Magic Curtain” and the children of key Birmingham figures Abe Berkowitz, Karl Friedman and Rabbi Milton Grafman.
BJF’s Women’s Philanthropy – Mix It Up/ Not Your Mothers Manischewitz
Monday, June 24 @ 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The Birmingham Jewish Federation Women's Philanthropy
Join Birmingham Jewish women as we learn about BJF’s Women’s Philanthropy and how to make cocktails with a Jewish twist. Featuring: Dammara Kovnats Hall Founder & CEO of Jewish Cocktails
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.
