Support for Israel is increasingly becoming a central theme in the 2012 Presidential election. President Obama and Republican candidates are already jockeying over who would be the stronger supporter of the Jewish state. An Associated Press article on the subject appeared today in various US newspapers and on-line.

AP, linking candidates' support for Israel to a desire to attract Jewish votes, noted, "Jewish voters, though comprising only two percent of the electorate nationwide, are an important part of Obama's base and could make the difference in battleground states including Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada in a close election."

"Moreover," the report added, "the Jewish community is an important source of donations, and Obama campaign supporters want to maintain that support as much as Republicans want to chip away at it."

Polls indicate that though Obama's support among Jewish voters has dropped since 2008, it remains strong. These patterns are reflected in the Birmingham Jewish community where debate continues over Obama's support for Israel and which Republican candidate, if any, would be a better friend of the Jewish state.

Monday night, Dec. 12th, will be a great evening for our community. At a program co-sponsored by The Birmingham Jewish Federation, The Birmingham Jewish Foundation and Israel Bonds, we will celebrate 30 years of partnership with the Israeli city of Rosh Ha'ayin and honor three outstanding Jewish community leaders.

The gathering will be at Temple Beth-El. There will be a light reception at 5 pm; the program will begin at 6:15 and end by 7:45 pm. (Childcare is available. Contact Lauren Pyle Klinner at The BJF at laurenp@bjf.org for details.)

Hilary Gewant will receive The Federation's Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award, Lisa Engel will receive The Federation's Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award, and Pat Weil will be given The Foundation's N.E. Miles Lifetime Achievement Award.

Not only do we have a distinguished lineup of honorees, but also an outstanding roster of presenters

Hilary's uncle, Jake Aronov, of Montgomery, will present her with her award. Jake, well known to many in Birmingham, has long been active in regional and national Jewish circles.

Susan Greene, a past president of The Federation and former development director at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, has worked with Lisa in many important Jewish community endeavors over the years.

Andy is Pat's grandson. Pat, Andy, and Pat's daughter and Andy's mom, Amy Saag, are all members of our BJF board, making this the first time in memory that three generations of one family have been on our board at the same time. (Andy's wife, Brittany, is serving ex-officio on our board.) Pat and Andy are pictured here.

In addition to the presentation of the awards, the program will celebrate the 30-year partnership between The BJF and Rosh Ha'ayin, and Rosh Ha'ayin Mayor Moshe Sinai and Birmingham Mayor William Bell will be joining us. The City of Birmingham and Rosh Ha'ayin became official Sister Cities in 2005. The evening will be chaired by Sheryl and Jon Kimerling. The entire community is invited. (RSVPs are not required.)

Participants will be given the opportunity to buy an Israel Bond and/or contribute to The Birmingham Jewish Foundation's Israel Bonds drive. To purchase a bond, go to the below link. To contribute to The Foundation's Israel Bonds drive contact Sally Friedman at sallyf@bjf.org or Janet Aarons at janeta@bjf.org or 205-879-0416. (Purchasing a bond or participating in the Foundation's drive is not a requirement for attending.)