As Chanukah began last week, hundreds of immigrants from around the world, who had just arrived in Israel aboard flights organized by the Jewish Agency, lit the first candle of the 8-day festival at a celebration in Jerusalem. Funds raised by The Birmingham Jewish Federation helped these immigrants come to Israel.

Children from France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela and Costa Rica came together to light the menorah and taste their first sufganiyot (Chanukah jelly donuts) during the Jewish Agency-organized celebration.

These newcomers were joined by Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky and received their Israeli identity cards toward the end of the event.

Sharansky greeted the new arrivals, saying, "You landed in Israel just a few hours before Chanukah. This event marks the closure of a massive circle encompassing thousands of years, of generations who dreamt and fought and had no hope, and whose offspring are now completing the journey and coming to Israel."

Helping Jews immigrate to Israel is one more activity of The Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation and one more way we continue to strengthen the Jewish state both for now and in the future.

Above photo and information are from the Jewish Agency.

By Richard Friedman, Executive Director

At a social gathering this week, an older member of our community, someone who has been involved with The Birmingham Jewish Federation for decades, approached me. This person, an avid Update reader, commented about the piece in Saturday night's Update headlined "2012: A Year That Will LIFT Us All." (See below link.)

This friend raved about LIFT -- Leadership Initiatives For Tomorrow, a new BJF movement that was highlighted in the Update article. It was so nice to hear these comments, and, as I explained, was a tribute to people, such as herself, who've helped lead and support our Federation over the years.

A few minutes later, another person came up to me, a former BJF volunteer campaign leader, who raved about our new Leadership Writing Project, which provides young adults with opportunities to affirm their leadership voices by writing for Update and other media.

Shortly thereafter, another person, a longstanding donor, came up to me also to talk about the Leadership Writing Project and to say how impressed she was. She wanted me to talk about the project to her daughter, who teaches English in the Washington, DC area and who was in town for the holidays.

Meanwhile, as I tell people these days, "Stay tuned -- we're just getting started!" 2012 is going to be an amazing year for The BJF. Staff members have told me that they are primed to have their most productive and creative year ever and our lay leaders -- led by our BJF President Jimmy Filler -- continue to become even more determined, energized and enthusiastic.

The above photo offers a good snapshot of our future. From left, are Hilary Gewant, Amanda Weil, Jimmy and Layne Held. The photo was taken at our annual meeting last June where the three young adults spoke about "Embracing the Future." Since that time, their own BJF involvement has grown considerably, with each one already playing or getting ready to play a major leadership role in our organization.

To fulfill our potential, it's going to take us working hard everyday in so many ways, and my sense is that there are great things unfolding in our organization; new ideas, concepts, energy and faces, that will make 2012 a unique and transformative year.

The Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation extend our condolences to Federation/Foundation volunteer leader Lisa Engel on the passing of her mother, Elaine, who died Sunday. Elaine was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, and, like Lisa, kind, generous and compassionate.

Graveside services will be held today at 11 am at Elmwood Cemetery. We extend our sympathies to the entire Rosen/Engel family on Elaine's passing.