By Joyce Spielberger, BJF

Immediately after the killer tornadoes of April 27th devastated many areas of our state, The Birmingham Jewish Federation kicked into high gear. The BJF opened a special Tornado Recovery Fund to raise funds to help victims in the rebuilding and recovery process, a process that is estimated to last for at least three to four more years.

The BJF works with the United Way of Central Alabama to allocate these funds and I attend meetings of United Way's Central Alabama Long Term Recovery Committee (CALTRC) as The BJF's tornado recovery coordinator. The CALTRC is a consortium of community and religious institutions and foundations that provide tornado victims with extra funding to help them address unmet needs.

Last August, Judy Ault, a Birmingham resident and public relations professional, came to make a special presentation to the CALTRC. Judy had a dream; she wanted to create a weekend camp for the youngest tornado victims, children whose lives had been completely altered on that fateful April day.

It was to be a camp full of fun and healing and, as Judy said, "a safe place for campers to tell their story, celebrate the present and look toward the future." Group activities would be designed and administered by experts in children's grief and trauma issues. Judy needed help and funding from the CALTRC to bring what she had named "Camp Alabama Storm" to reality.

STRIKINGLY SIMILAR

I was immediately drawn to Judy's idea for Camp Alabama Storm. The concept was strikingly similar to Camp Koby in Israel, run by the Koby Mandell Foundation. The BJF has helped fund Camp Koby, a camp for Israeli children who have lost a parent or sibling to terror.

Camp Koby provides these children with an intense and meaningful opportunity for recovery and healing. The Koby Mandell Foundation was created by Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell in 2001 after their 13-year-old son Koby was murdered by terrorists while hiking near their home in Israel. Both Seth and Sherri have visited our community.

I knew that Camp Alabama Storm was something our BJF needed to help make happen. As the BJF's Director of Overseas Programs, I have seen firsthand how important it is to support agencies that not only help those in crisis with material needs but also agencies that help with emotional needs.

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

I contacted Judy immediately after the meeting. As it happens, Judy and I both have sons at the University of Alabama and her son, Johnny, and my son, Mitchell, were in Tuscaloosa the day the tornadoes hit. Six UA students were killed that day and in our first conversation, Judy and I shared the intense feelings we both had as mothers knowing that our children had narrowly escaped tragedy. I told her how moved I was by her efforts and that The BJF would help fund Camp Alabama Storm.

Judy was thrilled and immediately sent an email to her steering committee to announce this initial gift. I received an email from one of the members of the committee telling me that this initial gift from The BJF had motivated others to make financial commitments as well.

Judy's dream came alive the weekend of Nov. 11th as 24 children, ages 8-12, came together for two days at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo. They came not only from Birmingham, but also from cities whose names are now well-known as a result of national news coverage, including Phil Campbell and Harvest. It was a weekend full of activities and fun.

I wrote to Judy after the weekend to congratulate her and thank her for the opportunity she gave these young tornado victims. Answered Judy, "This was my piece... to inspire healing for those suffering from the destruction and aftermath of the April tornadoes. This has been a gift of service to God and to our community for all of us." This spring, Judy hopes to replicate the camp for both children and adults in north Alabama.

The BJF extends a thank you to those who contributed to our Tornado Recovery Fund.

In the photo above, University of Alabama student and Camp Alabama Storm volunteer Sara Ringo is surrounded by children who enjoyed a weekend of healing and fun thanks, in part, to funding from The BJF.