The Birmingham Jewish Federation is a remarkable, multi-faceted institution that does many important things locally and globally. The stories below reflect two of these efforts.

The first story deals with our ongoing tornado relief work and highlights our commitment to helping all people in need regardless of their faith or background. The second story focuses on the increasingly dangerous situation regarding Iran and efforts by the national Jewish Federation movement, of which we are a part, to mobilize in response to this continuing crisis.

Everyday in so many ways, The BJF does vital work locally and globally; we are a small organization with an ever-growing reach, and, as always, we thank those who contribute to our BJF Annual Campaign. Your dollars provide the organizational structure, staffing and funding that allow us to do the work featured in today's Update.

It has been a little over six months since the deadly storms and tornadoes of April 27th struck their devastating blows on our region. Alabama was hardest hit with over 60 tornadoes reported, over 230 lives lost and more than $2 billion reported in estimated damages.

Immediately in response, The Birmingham Jewish Federation set up a special Tornado Recovery Fund to accept donations to help in the recovery process, a process that is estimated to last for at least three to four more years.

Every Monday, BJF Director of Community Relations Joyce Spielberger participates along with other funding organizations in meetings of the Central Alabama Long Term Recovery Committee (CALTRC), convened by United Way of Central Alabama. As a funder, The BJF is part of a consortium of community and church foundations that hear the cases of people in need as a result of the tornadoes.

These cases have been reviewed by CALTRC, United Way case mangers, licensed contractors and professionals from Habitat for Humanity. These cases typically involve people who lost everything on April 27th. Even with some help from FEMA, these low income families are not able to make ends meet, much less rebuild or repair their homes and lives. Many times the emotional trauma of the devastation has led to loss of jobs and the financial needs of these people have become overwhelming.

FILLING GAPS

The BJF is there to help put an arm around the shoulders of these people by stepping in and helping to fill the gaps. The funds generously donated to The BJF Tornado Recovery Fund by communities and donors from all over the nation are enabling us to help tornado survivors in a very personal way.

Joyce and others recently heard from an elderly woman in Pratt City, a low income area of Birmingham that was among the hardest hit. On the evening of April 27th, according to the caseworker, "Mrs. H" was in her home "so terrified that she could not move" and "she held on to her table for dear life and prayed."

The tornado blew off the roof of her home and rain poured in. Even though a tarp was placed on her roof the next day, the inside of her home and her furnishings were destroyed. Mrs. H, who lives on a fixed income, could not afford the extensive repairs and the replacement of all her furnishings.

Mrs. H is a lifetime resident of Pratt City, her home was built by her uncle over 50 years ago and she did not want to relocate. With the help of the CALTRC case worker and funding from The BJF and others, Mrs. H's home was completely repaired and renovated by professionals working with Habitat for Humanity.

Mrs. H. was extremely grateful and sent a message to the committee through her case manager thanking everyone who cared enough to help. "She loves Pratt City and never wishes to live anywhere else." Joyce and the others were told. Pictured here is Mrs. H's home as workers completed the repairs and renovation.

Mrs. H is just one of the many people The BJF's Tornado Recovery Fund has been able to help and we will continue to share these "feel good" stories, so that those who contributed to this effort can feel good about the work we are doing as a result of their generosity.