As former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum gains momentum in the Republican primary, Jewish Republicans are divided, and some conflicted, over his candidacy, according to a story on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency website.

"If Rick Santorum secures the Republican nomination, expect to hear this mantra from his Jewish supporters: In times of crisis, social issues don't matter," begins reporter Ron Kampeas' analysis.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a worldwide Jewish news service, is one of 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign. The BJF takes no position on candidates and is not affiliated with any political party; however, during this current election season, Update will periodically provide articles and publicize conference calls that offer Jewish perspective on the election.

There was an important story on the front page of USA Today on Tuesday highlighting how the much hoped for democracy revolution in Egypt has gone increasingly awry.

"A year after the revolution, many Egyptians -- already suffering under the weight of a wretched economy -- see an undemocratic society where the military and Islamic ideologues are hoarding power while changing nothing," wrote reporter Oren Dorell in a thoughtful analysis worth reading.

As growing discontent plagues the country, the situation in Egypt remains troubling, especially for those who care about the interests of the US and Israel. This honest USA Today report contrasts dramatically with so many other news reports of a year ago proclaiming that the demonstrations in Egypt would initiate a true democratic revolution.

The reality is that anyone who was willing to look objectively at what was happening in Egypt at that time, and the notable lack of any kind of sustained democratic precedent anywhere in the Arab world, would have predicted early on that the turmoil in Egypt would likely result in the situation we have today.

This report and the situation in general in the Arab world further dramatizes how important it is that the US maintain a strong relationship with Israel, which for nearly 64 years has been the only authentic democracy in the region and remains America's most reliable and best ally in that turbulent part of the world.

-- Richard Friedman, Executive Director

Photo is of demonstrators on an army truck in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Jan. 29, 2011. (Photo by Ramy Raoof; from Wikipedia.)

On Sunday, Feb. 26, Temple Beth-El, in conjunction with Birmingham Hadassah's Social Action Committee, will host Birmingham Jewish community member Richard S. Jaffe, a noted criminal defense attorney, who will be discussing the inner workings of the justice system and his new book Quest for Justice: Defending the Damned.

Also on the program will be Daniel Odrezin, a third year University of Alabama law student who has worked for The Birmingham Jewish Federation part-time and who will be joining our staff full-time in August. Daniel, who spent a semester last year at Tel Aviv University's Law School, will be discussing Israel's position on the death penalty.

This event honoring Hadassah Associates will be from 10 am to noon at Temple Beth-El. While there is no charge to attend, a donation of non-perishable food or toiletries for the Collat Jewish Family Services Food Pantry is requested.

Richard's book will be on sale at the event and profits will be donated to Hadassah. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Barbara Nissenbaum at bnissenbau@aol.com or 837-7950 or Linda Friedman at lfriedman@babc.com.

Nodar, 80, can't imagine where he would be today without the emergency assistance he received from the Federation-funded JDC during the Russo-Georgian war. The BJF provided special funding from our reserve fund at the time to help people like Nodar.

One of the 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign is the Joint Distribution Committee. JDC provides rescue and relief services to Jews and others throughout the world. Donors to The BJF can feel proud about the way their dollars help the JDC accomplish its remarkable work. The following excerpt, from a story on the JDC website, provides one more example.

Nodar, 80, was at home with his wife Gulnara, 54, and their daughter Lika, 18, when the Russian Air force suddenly began bombing Gori, Georgia on August 9, 2008. They took cover under furniture as the glass from their balcony shattered and sprayed across the house. A collapsing wall jammed the front door and Nodar forced himself through it so he and the family could escape outside.

Looking back at the building as he ran, he was stunned to see it completely engulfed in flames. That's when he looked down and realized he was severely wounded and bleeding profusely. Gulnara flagged down a car and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors insisted on his immediate transfer to Tbilisi for urgent care. He remained in the capital's hospital for the next month -- but he was never, ever alone thanks to JDC.

JDC had been helping the family for several years, giving them a monthly food card to supplement Nodar's negligible pension and providing the family with relief during the harsh winters. Lika had gone to the local JDC-supported Jewish Sunday school and summer camp, and she and her mom participated in community programs during the high holidays.

While Nodar was at the hospital, JDC staff visited him regularly. "It was as if I was one of their family," he recalls. JDC provided him with new glasses, dentures, and medicine to help him recover. By the time Nodar and the family were ready to return to Gori, the government had helped to fix up their damaged home. But the house stood empty; all of their belongings had been destroyed. JDC bought new furniture and appliances, warm clothing and food to help them begin a new life.

"Without the help of JDC, my family would not have survived," Gulnara says.