The following is from the Jerusalem Post:

The threat against Israeli and Jewish targets in North America by Iran is on the rise, ABC news reported Friday, after the Iranian regime again vocalized its intention to aid in the fight against the "Zionist regime" in the face of Western sanctions.

Guarded and "soft sites," such as synagogues, community centers and schools, are the primary targets for Iran said a letter circulated by the Israeli Consul General for Mid-Atlantic States that was obtained by ABC news. "We predict that the threat on our sites around the world will increase," the letter stated.

Police and intelligence officials have stepped up monitoring Israeli government buildings and Jewish centers in cities across the US and Canada, telling local officials to remain wary of the potential threat from Iran, such as the bombing of an Argentine community center in 1984 that killed 85 people.

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The Birmingham Jewish Federation continues to urge all those who work at and use our Jewish institutions to remain vigilant and report anything or anyone out of the ordinary to law enforcement authorities or staff of the institutions.

Photo is of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Birthright Israel offers young Jewish adults, ages 18-26, the gift of a first-time, peer group educational trip to Israel. Funds raised by the Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign support Birthright. An estimated 250 young adults with Birmingham ties have participated in the program since it began in year 2000.

Registration for Summer 2012 trips opens Feb. 15 at 9 am central time. If you have applied in the past, you will have access to early registration on Feb. 14 at 11 am central time. (You must log in with the user name (email) and password you previously registered under). To learn more go to the link below or contact BJF Director of Overseas Programs Joyce Spielberger at 879-0416 or joyces@bjf.org.

As many Update readers know, The BJF reaches out to those from our community who participate in Birthright experiences. We offer to send each participant a complimentary t-shirt that says "Alabama" in Hebrew, in exchange for a picture of the participant wearing the t-shirt while in Israel, and his or her thoughts and impressions about the trip.

One of those who went on Birthright recently is Lauren Ward, a second year MBA student at the University of Alabama. Laura is from Grapevine, TX, and in addition to her studies, works as a graduate student intern for Bama Hillel. Lauren is pictured here on top of Masada in her Alabama in Hebrew t-shirt. Upon her return, she sent the below email to The BJF:

My trip to Israel was the most amazing experience I could have ever hoped for! Everywhere I traveled and everyone I got to meet truly left a lasting impression on me. Standing on top of Masada at sunrise looking out at the Dead Sea was the most memorable part of my whole trip. I floated in the Dead Sea, rode a camel in the desert and prayed at the Western Wall on Shabbat.

Before my trip I was expecting to see soldiers on every corner and to constantly be afraid for my safety, but after my Birthright experience I am able to tell people that this really wasn't true. You do see the occasional soldier, but being in a place where you can count yourself, as a Jew, among the majority gave me a sense of security that you certainly can't experience in the US.

My Birthright trip came together truly at the last minute. A national donor made a significant donation which allowed for five additional Birthright buses or approximately 200 more participants. As a result I was not notified until a week and a half before my scheduled departure date about my trip and the information about my flight information did not get to me.

The BJF's Joyce Spielberger was so helpful to me. I reached out to Joyce and she was able to help me quickly connect to the right people to get my plans sorted out. I was then able to just focus on my upcoming trip. Thank you Joyce!

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Let us know if you are going on Birthright! For assistance or questions about registration or the different trip organizers, contact Joyce.

Photo is of University of Alabama graduate student Lauren Ward on top of Masada during her recent Birthright trip. Lauren's shirt says Alabama in Hebrew.

The Jewish Federations of North America released the following statement Friday by Kathy Manning, chair of the Board of Trustees, Michael Gelman, chair of the Executive Committee, and Jerry Silverman, president and CEO, on recent religious-secular tensions in Israel:

Over recent months, Israel has witnessed an abhorrent series of incidents perpetrated by individuals within the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. These actions stand in stark contrast to the Jewish and democratic values upon which the state was founded.

The Jewish Federations of North America unequivocally condemns all such acts of violence, intimidation, prejudice and coercion. We stand firmly and resolutely behind those in Israel who have spoken out publicly against such incidents, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and leaders from across the political spectrum. We call on those who have not yet taken a public stand to do so.

We take heart in the fact that citizens and civic leaders from across the country -- including from within the mainstream Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox communities -- are now denouncing these reprehensible actions and the extremists responsible.

On behalf of the North American Jewish community, we will continue to convey in no uncertain terms our growing concern to Israeli leaders about the impact of religious extremism and actively pursue opportunities to forge a common agenda focused on greater tolerance, mutual respect and inclusion. The Jewish Federations remain united in our commitment to the Jewish state and all those working to strengthen Israeli society. We will continue to monitor the situation in Israel and keep local Jewish Federations informed.

Photo is of Israelis demonstrating against the segregation of men and women on buses in certain neighborhoods of Jerusalem to accommodate ultra-religious sensitivities. (Miriam Alster/Flash 90/JTA)