Joel Rotenstreich on YouTube: Grandkids, Tears & Repairing the World
JOEL ROTENSTREICH ON YOUTUBE: GRANDKIDS, TEARS & REPAIRING THE WORLD
There's great footage on YouTube of Steven Brickman presenting Joel Rotenstreich with the Tikkun Olam award at the annual meeting of The BJF's Jewish Community Relations Coalition. (See below story for details.)
Steven's uplifting tribute and Joel's moving acceptance capture what's best about Birmingham -- an incredible volunteer spirit that connects people with one another everyday in so many ways. We thank Barry Altmark for the video and all he does to help The BJF.
Click to watch the YouTube video.
STANDING ROOM ONLY
Featured speakers at Sunday's Jewish Community Relations Coalition annual meeting were, from left, Lisa Engel, Joel Rotenstreich, Sheryl Kimerling, Dan Tourtellotte, Amanda Weil and Steven Brickman. (Photo courtesy of Barry Altmark)
It was standing room only Sunday at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Coalition (JCRC) held a highly successful annual meeting.
Members of the Jewish community and leaders from the broader Birmingham community gathered to honor longtime volunteer leader Joel Rotenstreich and outgoing JCRC chair Sheryl Kimerling, hear the LJCC's Dan Tourtellotte talk about his recent trip to Israel, and participate in the installation of JCRC's new chairs, Lisa Engel and Amanda Weil.
"Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future" was the theme. Sheryl opened with a look back on the highlights of this past year. In appreciation for her service, BJF Director of Community Relations Joyce Spielberger presented Sheryl with a glass blown "Etz Chaim" or Tree of Life created by Israeli artist Sheva Chaya. Sheryl and her daughter, Victoria, were part of an interfaith women's trip that met with Sheva Chaya in Israel last February.
His voice filled with emotion, Joel accepted the 2011 JCRC Tikkun Olam Community Service award. It was presented by another volunteer leader, Steven Brickman, who received the award in 2007. Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world."
In his speech, Joel dedicated the award to his wife Bunny, to whom he has been married for 51 years, and acknowledged those he has worked with in numerous community organizations. Joel said he wanted to "shine the light" on those with whom he has worked, explaining, "This honor is not just about me....You all have touched my life and have helped me be who I am."
TRIP TO ISRAEL
Dan, the Levite Jewish Community Center's Health and Fitness Director, talked about visiting Israel recently for the first time. He accompanied the LJCC's boys' basketball team to the Maccabi Games. Dan, who is Christian, acknowledged that he didn't know what to expect before he went to Israel but came away in awe of its beauty, history and the "friendly and welcoming nature" of the Israeli people.
He joked that although he is not ready to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel), he had feelings similar to those expressed in Update recently by Jewish community member Layne Held, who went as the team's coach. In his Update piece (see below link), Layne, reflecting on some of his experiences in Israel, wrote, "My sense of Zionism was pounding through my chest."
At the meeting, the JCRC formally unveiled its new name, replacing the term "Committee" with "Coalition." As BJF Executive Director Richard Friedman explained in his remarks, "This new name represents more accurately what drives our JCRC work today -- drawing together partners, whenever and wherever needed, to advance good causes, better our city, and address issues important to our Jewish community."
Lisa invoked the biblical word "Hineni" -- the word Abraham used to answer when called upon by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. Hineini, Lisa explained, means that "I am here with all of my being, physically, and spiritually, ready to do what I need to do at this very moment." Lisa then talked about the JCRC being "present and ready" and the organization's strength coming from its ability to "coalesce" to respond to issues immediately and effectively.
INTER-GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Along with its new name, the JCRC is implementing a new inter-generational leadership model. Lisa, a seasoned and distinguished volunteer leader, and Amanda Weil, an up-and-coming young leader, will chair JCRC together. The idea is to provide an opportunity for volunteer leaders from different generations to work together and benefit from what the other has to offer.
Lisa has held important leadership roles in the community and Amanda has recently become involved with The BJF through participation in our young adult programs, serving on our board and nominating committee, and helping edit Update. After moving to Birmingham post-college, Amanda, who is 26 and from Montgomery, saw The BJF as her entry point into Jewish life in Birmingham.
In her remarks, Amanda reflected on the opportunities that The BJF has provided. "I saw what great things our Federation was doing and where it was beginning to head for the future, my future. "
The future is bright for The BJF's Jewish Community Relations Coalition as it continues to serve as our Jewish community's bridge to the broader Birmingham community. For more information about the JCRC, contact Joyce at joyces@bjf.org or 879-0416. JCRC's activities and staffing are funded by The BJF Annual Campaign.
Click for the Update featuring Layne Held's article.
