Teaching Matisyahu to say "Roll Tide"; Federations helping Israel

FEDERATIONS HELPING ISRAEL RESPOND

In response to increasing Palestinian attacks on Israelis living in the southern part of the country, our national Jewish Federation movement is already responding thanks to funding from The Birmingham Jewish Federation and other local Jewish Federations.

Since the three-pronged terror attack from over the Egyptian border last Thursday, the situation in Israel has escalated. "Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks on southern Israel resumed on Sunday evening and continued through early Monday morning despite reports that Hamas was attempting to get Palestinian factions to agree to an immediate cease fire," the Jerusalem Post reported.

Jewish Federations of North America, our national agency, is in close contact with the Federation movement's main Israel partners -- the Jewish Agency, Joint Distribution Committee and Israel Trauma Coalition, to monitor the situation and assess needs. Emergency plans are in place and all parties are ready to take any necessary action. In addition, $250,000 from the Jewish Agency's Fund for the Victims of Terror has already been set aside for the latest victims, and more preparations are being done on this front. Federation dollars help provide this funding. Update will continue to cover this unfolding situation and keep our community informed about the support and funding The BJF and the national Jewish Federation movement are providing to the people of Israel at this time of tension.

Click for more from the Jerusalem Post.

 

TEACHING MATISYAHU TO SAY 'ROLL TIDE'

Birmingham's music scene will be "rocked" with Matisyahu's performance on Sunday, August 28th at the Alys Stephens Center.

The concert, starting at 7 pm, will have Trevor Hall as the opener. Birmingham Jewish community members Sheryl and Jon Kimerling are among the sponsors. There also will be a pre-party at 5:30 pm. For tickets and more information, go to the link below.

Matisyahu, who is an American Hasidic Jewish reggae musician, will be making his second trip to Birmingham to perform. Matisyahu's single "King Without a Crown" was a Top 40 hit in 2006. Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beat-boxing sounds, Matisyahu has released three studio albums as well as two live albums, two remix CDs and two DVDs featuring live concerts.

For those who are part of The Birmingham Jewish Federation's You Belong in Birmingham program, there are a limited number of discounted tickets. For more information, contact The BJF's Caren Seligman at carens@bjf.org. In addition, Hillel students from the University of Alabama will be coming from Tuscaloosa on a bus arranged by the Bloom Hillel Student Center.

BIRMINGHAM CONNECTION

Matisyahu has an important Birmingham connection. His manager, Jason Rogoff, is a member of our Birmingham Jewish community. Jason, 29, came back to Birmingham after graduating from the University of Georgia and continues to use Birmingham as his base. Jason manages Matisyahu for The Artists Organization.

Last May, Jason and his fiancee, Mary Margaret Chambliss, traveled to Israel with Matisyahu and music producer Kool Kojak to record songs with some of the most talented musicians in Israel.

Before they left, Jason's mom, Cathy, stopped by The Birmingham Jewish Federation to get crimson t-shirts that say Alabama in Hebrew for them all to wear in Israel. The BJF gives the shirts as a gift to people traveling to Israel. What we always ask in return is that they send us a picture of them wearing their shirts in Israel and a few written impressions for Update.

"We were there for a week and spent a good bit of our time in a studio in Tel Aviv, but did get to go out on a couple of day trips," wrote Jason. "One highlight was an afternoon jeep ride through the Judean Desert, where we stopped to take a photo in our Alabama shirts with the Dead Sea and Jordan in the background."

"We also wanted to show a little Alabama pride -- and Matisyahu and Kojak are now fluent with the term Roll Tide," reported Jason. "It was a week of fun, learning and new experiences that each of us on the trip will always remember."

Jason is the son of long-time BJF donors Cathy and Lee Rogoff. The BJF extends its best wishes to Jason and Mary Margaret who will be married this coming Saturday night.

If you are traveling to Israel, contact The BJF for your Alabama t-shirt. In addition, we can arrange special visits for you and your group to Rosh Ha'ayin, Birmingham's sister city in Israel. For more details, contact Donna Berry at The BJF at donnab@bjf.org.

Pictured in Israel from left, are Jason Rogoff, Matisyahu, Kool Kojak and Mary Margaret Chambliss. Their t-shirts say Alabama in Hebrew.