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Begin 2012 as part of an important afternoon of Israel engagement and learning as our Birmingham Jewish community partners with the American Israel Political Affairs Committee, (AIPAC) to host The "Birmingham Israel Summit -- A Call To Action."

AIPAC is a national organization dedicated to educating US Senate and House members and other officials about the bonds that unite the United States and Israel and how it is in America's best interest to help ensure that Israel remains safe, strong and secure.

The Birmingham Israel Summit will take place Sunday, Jan. 22, at Temple Emanu-El, 2100 Highland Ave., from 3 to 6 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to attend educational sessions to hear from experts on topics including Iran's nuclear program and what can be done to prevent it; Christians and Jews working together in a new alliance for Israel; the 2012 election and what it may mean for Israel; and implications of the "Arab Spring."

Keynote presentation will be given by Prof. Stephen Berk, whose topic will be: "From Tragedy to Triumph: The Future of Zionism." Berk is widely known for his expertise on the Holocaust, Russia and the Middle East and is a professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies at Union College in Schenectady, NY.

The Birmingham Israel Summit is free and open to the public. The event is being co-sponsored by Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El, Knesseth Israel, The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Coalition, the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, the Levite Jewish Community Center, and Collat Jewish Family Services.

Registration is required. Click here to register. A picture ID will be required the day of the event for security purposes. For more information contact Joshua Karsh at AIPAC at 770-541-7610 or jkarsh@aipac.org.

The picture here appeared in Wednesday's Update in connection with a story on our new Leadership Writing Project and a new Birmingham Jewish Federation movement known as LIFT -- Leadership Initiatives For Tomorrow. The headline, which was taken from a quote in the story from one of the participants, said, "Excited about our LIFT off!"

Several readers contacted us noting that the folks in the photo didn't look particularly excited. Good point! The photo was taken as the group was having a serious conversation with Samantha Dubrinsky (far right at end of table) about an important and challenging piece she's working on. Hope that explains it -- and thank you to those who contacted us.