RTR: Rolling To Redemption
THE PHOTO WE WERE WAITING TO USE
(Please note: If you are seeing this picture on your phone sideways, it does not mean you are celebrating too hard! It's due to a technical issue.)
Well, the BCS National Championship Game ended a few minutes ago, Alabama is back on top after defeating LSU in a rematch, its defense and field goal kicking were spectacular, and running back Trent Richardson and his Crimson Tide teammates have another national title. And what makes it especially exciting for us is, finally, we get to use the above picture of Trent and Birmingham Jewish community member Dr. Jeremy Royal.
Jeremy won Wendy's High School Heisman in the early 1990s which recognizes outstanding high school students for their athletic and academic achievements. As a result, he is invited to the Heisman Trophy weekend in New York each December, where the trophy is presented to the player who is deemed to be the best college football player in the country.
Trent was a finalist this year though he did not win. During the weekend, Jeremy got to spend some time with the star running back. Right after the Heisman weekend, Jeremy shared some reflections with us about Trent and the Heisman Trophy weekend and sent the above picture of the two of them.
"It was another special year for the state of Alabama, given this was the third year that we had a Heisman finalist from our state. (Alabama's Mark Ingram won in 2009, Auburn's Cam Newton in 2010.) I was particularly pleased that Trent Richardson was our Heisman representative," wrote Jeremy in an email.
"Aside from his incredibly impressive athletic talent, Trent clearly values team more than self. This characteristic makes him even more likable as a person and makes us cheer even harder for his successes," added Jeremy. "He reminds us of an important lesson in life: no matter what we achieve individually, it is much more rewarding when we can share our successes with those around us."
The Birmingham Jewish Federation, which is deeply involved with the University of Alabama through our efforts to strengthen Jewish life on Alabama's college campuses, congratulates Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide on the team's second national championship in three years. Roll Tide Roll!
BAMA'S PRESIDENT TAKES TIME OUT TO ROOT FOR OPERTION GRASSROOTS
As the rematch between Alabama and LSU loomed, we discovered that football was not the only thing on University of Alabama president Bob Witt's mind. He was rooting for Operation Grassroots as well!
Bob, an Update reader, took the time a few weeks ago to send us a great email after reading a story on Operation Grassroots. Bob's email was highlighted in Update shortly after we received it, but we thought tonight -- in the wake of the Crimson Tide's victory over LSU -- would be a great occasion to run Bob's email again. It is a reminder of our partnership with the University of Alabama.
It also is a reminder of the incredible and broad response we are receiving to The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Operation Grassroots initiative, which is an unprecedented effort by The BJF to raise 1000 new gifts or increases of at least $100 to obtain a $100,000 challenge grant.
"The work of The BJF has never been more important than it is today," Bob wrote in his email. "My wife Sandee and I are pleased to participate as one of Operation Grassroots' new donors. I will mail a check for $100. The gift is in honor of Daniel Odrezin, one of the University of Alabama's finest graduates."
Daniel, who went to Alabama for undergraduate school and who is now in his third year at Alabama's law school, will be joining our BJF staff after graduation. During his time at Alabama, Daniel has been a great asset to the school and a wonderful connection between the University and the Birmingham Jewish community. (And, we are pleased to note, while in New Orleans for the game, Daniel solicited Operation Grassroots gifts from two of his Bama buddies!)
Bob also has been a great asset to our community. He has aggressively recruited Jewish students to the Tuscaloosa campus and he and his administration have worked closely with The BJF and Hillel to strengthen Jewish life at Alabama.
JUST REPLY "ROLL TIDE"
If you are a Crimson Tide fan, consider celebrating Alabama's victory by joining Bob and making an Operation Grassroots gift tonight -- right now, in fact! Just reply to this email and write "Roll Tide!" If you want to, make it in honor of Alabama's victory. We'll follow up with you and also notify Bob of your donation. (Maybe he'll even pass it on to Coach Saban!)
You can also make your Operation Grassroots donation by going to the links below, contacting Tiffany Hyche at The BJF at 205-803-1513 or tiffanyh@bjf.org or calling our 24-Hour Operation Grassroots Hotline at 205-803-1514. You can also send a check made out to "BJF Operation Grassroots" to The Birmingham Jewish Federation, PO 130219, Birmingham, AL, 35213.
