Thursday afternoon, Update sent out a special edition on a swastika being painted outside the home of a Jewish family living in Vestavia Hills. It included a "call to action," encouraging readers to participate in a Birmingham Jewish Federation-initiated Facebook response, "Say No to Hate!" (See below link.)

The Update story and Facebook posting already has drawn a substantial response, not only from people in Birmingham but also from across the country. Two, in particular, were touching.

Charles Gardner, a member of the Father James Coyle Remembrance Committee at Birmingham's Cathedral of St. Paul, wrote, "I hope that this is a stupid act by kids without the realization of the implications of pain and loss and history. I hope for their own sake they are caught and exposed to some spiritual and historical consequences of what they did. My sincere and heartfelt regret at this incident." (The BJF has been a partner in the Father Coyle remembrance project.)

The Rev. Thomas N. Rains, Chaplain at Birmingham's YMCA, wrote, "This is a despicable act and I am so sorry about this awful display of hatred. I feel deeply for the family and know this is a painful time for them."

There were other responses as well from our friends in the Christian community. While the swastika incident is disturbing, what is gratifying is that thanks to The BJF's continued outreach and education efforts, particularly through Update, we have countless friends, locally, nationally and internationally, who care deeply about our Jewish community.

We thank all those who wrote us beautiful emails after our Birmingham Jewish Federation/Birmingham Jewish Foundation/Israel Bonds community event Monday night. The positive feedback has been overwhelming and we are very appreciative.

The gathering was a wonderful way to honor Federation/Foundation award honorees Pat Weil, Hilary Gewant and Lisa Engel, pictured here, from left, with BJF President Jimmy Filler. We thank photographer Barry Altmark for this photo.

In addition, the program gave us a chance to celebrate 30 years of partnership between The BJF and the Israeli city Rosh Ha'ayin. We thank both Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Rosh Ha'ayin Mayor Moshe Sinai for attending and speaking.

In an email after the program, one person wrote, "When I first read about this program in Update, I knew I had to be there. The speakers were so moving -- from Mayor Bell, whom I had not yet met, and who was eloquent and so stately; to Mayor Sinai, who spoke so beautifully about the relationship between Birmingham and Rosh Ha'ayin; to those who introduced the honorees and so artfully captured their strengths."

"The leadership and creativity exemplified by those who have been so passionately devoted to the partnership between Birmingham and Rosh Ha'ayin year after year is awe-inspiring," this person added.

A great email also came from one of our veteran Jewish community volunteer leaders. "Of the more than 30 years of life-changing programs that I have attended, Monday night's was the most remarkable ever," she wrote. "The pride I feel for our Jewish community Is indescribable. I have never been more inspired by The BJF, including each word of every honoree. The mayors renewed my faith in officials doing the right thing for the right reasons."

Everyday in so many ways, The BJF brings people together around common causes, uplifting our community and strengthening us all. We thank everyone who came Monday night. It was a great evening!