Monday night's community gathering, sponsored by The Birmingham Jewish Federation, The Birmingham Jewish Foundation and Israel Bonds, was an outstanding success, according to comments people made after the event.

One past Federation campaign chair, a generous BJF supporter, said the program was one of the best she's attended.

In an email, one of our past presidents, a longstanding and generous donor, said it was great. "Everyone was prepared and the words were meaningful and inspirational...I have great confidence in the future of the Federation," he added.

An estimated 225 people turned out to honor Federation/Foundation award recipients Hilary Gewant, Lisa Engel and Pat Weil, and celebrate the 30 year partnership between The Birmingham Jewish Federation and Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel. The gathering was held at Temple Beth-El.

Keynote speakers were Rosh Ha'ayin Mayor Moshe Sinai and Birmingham Mayor William Bell. The City of Birmingham adopted Rosh Ha'ayin as an official Sister City in 2005. Both mayors expressed pride in the relationship between our two cities.

Mayor Bell reflected on his three visits to Rosh Ha'ayin. He recalled planting a sapling there on his first visit and returning on a later visit and seeing that it had grown into a large tree. For him, this "symbolized the growth and prosperity" of Rosh Ha'ayin.

Mayor Sinai said that even though Birmingham and Rosh Ha'ayin are more than 6000 miles apart, on a "practical level" there is "no distance at all." He said the two cities are bound by the "same vision, same values, same ideas."

Lisa, one of the volunteers who helped initiate The BJF's partnership with Rosh Ha'ayin 30 years ago, introduced the mayors. She also shared some perspectives on the Birmingham-Rosh Ha'ayin partnership and reflected on the depth of the relationship between our two communities.

FEDERATION/FOUNDATION AWARDS

Hilary was presented the Federation's Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award by her uncle, Jake Aronov, a Jewish community leader from Montgomery.

"Throughout my life, I have been taught that being Jewish is something special. To me, it is not only that but so much more," said Hilary. "Being Jewish defines my past, present and future. It is an understanding that I am part of something greater than myself, makes me want to leave the world a better place for my children and my community and, most importantly, means giving back in whatever way possible. My volunteer work with The BJF allows me to do all of these things."

Hilary also noted the recent passing of Birmingham Jewish community member Gail Bayer, sister-in-law of the late Joanie Bayer for whom the Young Leadership award is named.

"Joanie and Gail drew much strength and joy from each other. Joanie is someone that I wish I'd had the privilege to know," said Hilary. "Her passion for strengthening our Jewish community, her dreams to grow it in new directions and her ability to engage volunteers of all ages coincides with my vision of The BJF's future."

Susan Greene, a past president of The BJF, presented the Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award to Lisa. In her remarks, Lisa reflected on her friendship with Susan Goldberg who passed away in 2005 while serving as President of The BJF.

"Susan genuinely believed in me and through her encouragement, along with other community leaders, I came to believe in myself," said Lisa. "This was Susan's guiding wisdom to me -- to value the qualities that are within me, to serve others using the best of my capabilities, and to fulfill the mission that I, alone, was put in the world to do."

Reflecting on challenges in her own life, Lisa added, "I wake up every day thankful for my health and my family, and also thankful that I am able to use my resources and talents to help others find strength, sustenance and independence."

Andy Saag, Pat's grandson, presented her with The Foundation's N.E. Miles Lifetime Achievement Award. Both Andy and Pat are on The Federation's Board of Directors. The N.E. Miles Award is presented to a community leader who has demonstrated a lifetime of commitment to The BJF and who has endowed their BJF annual campaign gift in perpetuity through The Foundation.

"For me, being involved and participating in a variety of organizations is rewarding in itself. It includes learning and meeting wonderful people....My late husband, Leonard, of blessed memory, was extremely involved and active in many civic organizations all his life. I feel that his efforts and hard work are an integral part of my being honored tonight," said Pat.

"By endowing my gift to the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, I am reassured and confident that it will provide positive and meaningful experiences for all those who come after me," she added.

IMPORTANCE OF ISRAEL BONDS

Highlights also included comments from Jimmy Filler, who expressed his pride in being president of The BJF and also talked about the importance of supporting Israel Bonds. Mayor Sinai joined Jimmy in making the appeal.

Jimmy expressed his fear that with the Iranian regime pursuing nuclear weapons and Israel facing other problems in the region, that the Jewish people and the Jewish state are facing darkening clouds, akin to the 1930s when Adolph Hitler was rising to power.

Sheryl Kimerling, a former BJF Campaign and Community Relations Chair, who has become a nationally-recognized volunteer leader for Jewish Federations of North America's National Women's Philanthropy, also spoke. The Kimerling family has been long-time supporters of Rosh Ha'ayin and Sheryl and her husband, Jon, chaired the evening.

BJF Executive Director Richard Friedman also spoke. He talked about LIFT -- a new culture and strategy at the Federation focusing on Leadership Initiatives For Tomorrow.

The BJF thanks staff person Lauren Klinner for coordinating Monday night's event.

Photo is of Mayor Moshe Sinai, left, and Mayor William Bell exchanging gifts after meeting Monday morning at City Hall. "United for the Good of the City" is the motto of Mayor Bell's administration.