Top 10 Issues Affecting Jews; Annie Damsky Belongs In Bham
IMMIGRATION AMONG ADL'S TOP 10 ISSUES AFFECTING JEWS
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DANCING AROUND THE HOLIDAYS:FAITH, FRIENDSHIP & FUN
The ongoing immigration debate within the US and laws that states, including Alabama, have passed to respond to the problem of illegal immigration was ranked number four on the Anti-Defamation League's list of top ten issues affecting Jews in 2011.
The so-called Arab Spring, the uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa that challenged the old guard and led to the surprising exit of longtime leaders from the scene, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, led ADL's annual list of top issues affecting Jews in 2011.
Also among the Top 10 issues affecting Jews: Iran's defiance over its nuclear program; the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords; and "the ramping up of anti-immigrant hate speech as several states passed constitutionally questionable laws aimed at arresting and deporting illegal immigrants," said ADL.
"The hateful rhetoric in the immigration debate turned increasingly ugly as several states, including Arizona and Alabama, passed laws aimed at arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants, laws that are now being challenged by the federal government on civil rights grounds," said Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair.
The Birmingham Jewish Federation has encouraged Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and our State Legislature to monitor the implementation of our state's new law to be sure there are not human rights abuses and has sponsored a forum which provided a range of perspectives on the new law.
"We encourage our Governor, Attorney General and State Legislature to review the effects and implications of the new Alabama law, especially in areas where it is causing problems and confusion, and make modifications where necessary as quickly as possible," said a statement adopted by The BJF's Board of Directors. "It is imperative that this new law not abridge the rights of or create discomfort for Alabama's legal immigrants in any way."
"We are fearful that this new law has the potential to lead to human rights abuses in our state and continue to engender highly negative publicity nationally for the state of Alabama," added the statement.
ADL is one of 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. Information for the above story was was taken from the ADL website. Photo is of participants in The BJF's recent forum on the new immigration law. Pictured, from left, are Isabel Rubio, Executive Director of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama; John Norris, Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management for Oakworth Capital; Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale and Alabama State Rep. Ed Henry.
ANNIE DAMSKY BELONGS IN BIRMINGHAM
What do the salsa and the hora have in common? Women who are part of The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Sisters/Chaverim and THREADS groups found out recently as they learned both dances at their annual Chrisma-Kwanzaa-Kah party.
The BJF's Sisters/Chaverim and THREADS groups started several years ago as a dialogue group for African-American, Hispanic and Jewish women. Sisters/Chaverim is for women in their 40s and above and THREADS is for women in their 20s and 30s.
Sisters/Chaverim has been honored by the Birmingham Urban League and the national Jewish Council for Public Affairs for its successful programming.
Since these groups began, the women have made learning about their different cultures and traditions fun. Consistent with this mission, Sisters and THREADS since 2009 have held a joint holiday party, thus Chrisma-Kwanzaa-Kah! Chrisma-Kwanzaa-Kah is an opportunity for the women to talk and learn about their different holiday traditions.
Priscilla Cooper taught the group about the tradition of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration which honors African-American heritage and culture. Priscilla lit the traditional kinara, or candelabra which holds seven candles, each representing a different principle of the holiday. Kwanzaa began Dec. 26 and lasts through Jan. 2.
The BJF's Joyce Spielberger told the story of the heroes of Chanukah, the Maccabees and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Israel.
Roseann Rodriguez spoke of Christmas and Three Kings Day or El Día de los Reyes. El Día de los Reyes falls on Jan. 6 and is the day, according to Christian tradition, when the three wise men visited the baby Jesus. It is just as important as Christmas day in Spain and many Latin American countries.
Held at Sabor Latino restaurant, the Chrisma-Kwanzaa-Kah celebration was complete with Latin American food and Chanukah latkes from Max's Delicatessen. The theme of the evening was "Dance into the Holidays" and the festive holiday atmosphere got everyone out on the dance floor together to learn the salsa and the hora.
For more information on Sisters or THREADS, email BJF Project Assistant Samantha Dubrinsky at samd@bjf.org.
Sisters and THREADS are programs of The BJF's Jewish Community Relations Coalition. The Coalition works to build bridges to our broader community, to create mutual understanding and a better Birmingham for all its citizens. The work of the Coalition is funded by The BJF Annual Campaign.
Pictured from left are Amy Saag, Lisa Engel, Yolanda Sullivan and Sylvia Hoyos giving the salsa a try at the Sisters and THREADS annual Chrisma-Kwanzaa-Kah party.
