The following is from the website of the Anti-Defamation League. ADL, which promotes understanding among different faith groups, is one of the 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.

To help public schools and other government institutions navigate the complex issues raised by the December holiday season -- often referred to as the "December Dilemma" -- the ADL has provided information on appropriate holiday displays and practices to public school educators and other officials.

In letters sent to school districts and government officials nationwide, the League provided information on how to respect religious diversity while observing the December holidays, as well as complying with constitutional requirements.

"December poses a dilemma for public institutions that wish to observe the holiday season festivities, but which also must be mindful of the separation of government and religion mandated by the First Amendment of the US Constitution," said Deborah Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director.

"In order to maintain an inclusive and welcoming environment for their entire community, schools and governments have an obligation to be prepared about how to appropriately celebrate the December holidays from both a legal and diversity perspective."

Through ADL's 30 Regional Offices and in materials available on its Web site, the League advises public schools on how to suitably acknowledge the December season.

Matters explained by ADL include the difference between teaching about religious holidays (which is permitted) and practicing religious holidays (which is not); developing appropriate and inclusive holiday programming; and guidelines for holiday assemblies, concerts, programs and other school events where religious music or drama may be included.

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The Birmingham Jewish Federation, through our Jewish Community Relations Coalition, also works with schools in the Birmingham area, providing advice and consultation regarding the kinds of issues mentioned above. For more information, contact BJF Director of Community Relations Joyce Spielberger at 205.879.0416 or joyces@bjf.org.

The goal of The BJF is to help create an environment in our schools and other public institutions where all can enjoy their holiday celebrations without anyone inadvertently feeling disenfranchised.

Graphic is from ADL website.

If you have not had a chance to visit "The Jewish Families of Walker County" exhibit in Jasper, there is still time. The exhibit is being held over by popular demand and will now remain in place through Dec. 24 at the Bankhead House & Heritage Center in Jasper.

The idea for the exhibit began in 2007 when Paul Kennedy, the newly-hired president of the Walker Area Community Foundation, first set foot into then empty Temple Emanu-El in Jasper. The doors to the Temple had closed in 2005 when the Jewish population had so dwindled that the members decided to disband and sell their synagogue.

Located in Walker County, 40 miles northwest of Birmingham, Jasper is home today to approximately 14,000 residents. It was Jasper's coal boom that first brought Jews to the area at the turn of the 20th century. At its peak in 1937, the Jewish population of Jasper numbered 140 and some still reside there. The Jewish families of Jasper built and sustained a vibrant and active Jewish community and enriched the broader community in many lasting ways.

Joyce Spielberger, The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Director of Community Relations, visited the exhibit. Upon her return to Birmingham, she wrote an email to several of the descendents of the families portrayed in the exhibit.

"Wow! What an education I received yesterday in Jasper!" wrote Joyce. "What a beautiful tribute to your families and what your families built. I loved the rich history, the industriousness of the people and the dedication to their faith. I had chills looking at the different generations of wedding and bar/bat mitzvah photos."

Joyce is pictured above at the exhibit with Becky May, a resident of Jasper. The May family is featured in the exhibit. Becky was married to the late Ike May whose father, Gerson May, started G. May & Sons Furniture in 1905, which is still family-owned and in operation.

The exhibit is open Monday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm and Saturday, 10 am-2 pm. Admission to the exhibit is free. Appointments are requested for large groups. The Bankhead House & Heritage Center is located at 800 7th Street West, Jasper, AL 35501. For more information contact the Bankhead House at 205.302.0001.