Maccabi USA announced that Preston Goldfarb of Birmingham will be head coach of the United States Open Men’s Soccer team at the 19th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 2013. Abby Richter of Stow, Ohio, will coach the women’s team.
Goldfarb was the head coach for the Open Men’s Soccer Team at the Maccabi Australia International Games in 2010 and the head coach for the Juniors Boys’ Soccer Team at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009.
Goldfarb is the head men's soccer coach at Birmingham-Southern College. He started his involvement with soccer in Alabama in the early 1970s with the Mid-State Youth Soccer Organization. Since arriving on the BSC campus in 1983, Goldfarb's involvement with soccer has expanded to the Alabama community with the development of youth and adult soccer programs, including the first-ever Alabama amateur soccer team in the U.S. Interregional Soccer League, which he created in 1993.
In 1995, Goldfarb was a driving force behind the city of Birmingham hosting Olympic Soccer for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games; and in 2000, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
Goldfarb has been named Conference Coach of the Year five times, including the 2005 Big South Conference Coach of the Year; Regional Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 1999; and he was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Regional honoree in 1995 and 1997. He also served as president of the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Association.
The coaching staff is seeking the best Jewish athletes from across the USA to try out for the team. The tryout is scheduled for Dec. 21 to 23, 2012 in California, and Jan. 4 to 6, 2013 on the east coast, at a location to be determined. All interested athletes, both alumni and new, must fill out an application before trying out for the team. Applications are available at www.maccabiusa.com and can either be filled out on-line or mailed in.
Maccabi USA is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America.
The small town of Sylvania in northeast Alabama is under fire from the Freedom From Religion Foundation because the town’s welcome signs display a verse from the Christian Bible.
In April, the foundation threatened to sue the city of 1400 over the verse. Then-mayor Mitchell Dendy had the verse removed from the signs because the town could not afford a big legal battle, but on May 8 the city council overturned the decision.
Dendy had resigned as mayor on May 1 after being fired as the chief administrator of DeKalb County jail, under allegations of sexual misconduct, improprieties and harassment, according to the Fort Payne Times-Journal.
Council members also complained that they had not been informed of the foundation’s letter or Dendy’s decision to remove the verse.
The signs state, under “Sylvania Welcomes You,” “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Before April, the sign cited “Ephesians 4:5,” though when the verse was restored, the citation was removed and the verse itself appears larger.
The Foundation for Moral Law, headed by Roy Moore, announced that it would defend the town. Moore, the current Republican nominee for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, was removed from that very position a decade ago when he refused to carry out a higher court order to remove a large granite Ten Commandments monument he had placed in the Supreme Court building.
He had risen to prominence as a circuit court judge in Etowah County for refusing to remove a wooden Ten Commandments plaque from the courtroom, and to stop the practice of beginning court sessions with Christian ministers offering prayer. He said it was his moral obligation to acknowledge God in all endeavors.
This is not the first time this part of the state has been involved in church-state controversies. In 1997, U.S. District Judge Ira DeMent struck down a law allowing prayer during public events at public schools, and he barred educators in DeKalb County from leading and sponsoring Christian prayers and activities.
That suit had been filed by an assistant principal who had complained for years about coercive Christian practices in the county’s schools. As part of the ruling, county officials were required to undergo training as to permissible religious activities, and DeMent appointed a monitor to oversee compliance.
After the verse was initially removed from the city's signs, a flock of yard signs have gone up around the city. One set has a cross with an American flag pattern, stating "We Still Believe, One Nation Under God" and citing a verse from Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," while another set, available at the local pharmacy, contains the original text of the town's welcome signs.
Christians United for Israel will have three major events in the region this month, promoting solidarity between Christian friends of Israel and the Jewish community.
CUFI is one of the largest pro-Israel organizations in the U.S., with over 900,000 members. After the April “60 Minutes” piece blaming Israel for the decline in Christian communities in the territories, CUFI members inundated CBS with thousands of protest letters.
A major event will be held in Columbus, Ga., on June 10 at 6 p.m. (Eastern) at the 2,000-seat River Center of the Performing Arts. CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee will be the keynote speaker at a Night to Honor Israel. Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran is also scheduled to speak, along with Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and Rep. Tom Price.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal is also scheduled to attend. Tickets are $12, $8 for balcony.
On June 6, there will be a Gathering of Solidarity with Israel in West Monroe, La. The event will be at The Assembly West Monroe on Cypress Street at 7 p.m. Col. John Somerville, CUFI central region coordinator, will be the guest speaker. Somerville is retired from the U.S. Marines and has been involved in military intelligence and the Middle East since the early 1970s. He has traveled to Israel numerous times.
On June 7 at noon, there will be a Pastor Luncheon and Middle East briefing at The Assembly, and Somerville will speak there as well.
In recent years, there have been CUFI Nights to Honor Israel in Shreveport and Jackson.
Groups like CUFI are careful to have a non-proselytizing policy at events and work hard to demonstrate that they are not trying to get a foot in the door to try and convert Jews. In many cases, local Jewish communities actively work with CUFI chapters. That is not necessarily the case with other pro-Israel Christian organizations, however.
A “Night to Honor Israel” at the Florence Coliseum with North Alabama Friends of Israel, on June 3, has a keynote speaker from Jewish Voice International, a missionary group. The speaker’s biography on the JVI website lists him as “an ordained Christian Pastor and a Messianic Jewish Rabbi” who has produced YouTube videos including "Jewish Evangelism 101" and "America: Mission Field for Jewish Evangelism."
Similarly, there was no Jewish involvement in a March of Remembrance held in downtown Birmingham on April 22. The march, which drew about 300 to Linn Park, was to honor Holocaust survivors and stand with Israel. However, many of the organizers are involved in the local “messianic” congregation, so the Jewish community did not attend.
CUFI is one of the largest pro-Israel organizations in the U.S., with over 900,000 members. After the April “60 Minutes” piece blaming Israel for the decline in Christian communities in the territories, CUFI members inundated CBS with thousands of protest letters.
A major event will be held in Columbus, Ga., on June 10 at 6 p.m. (Eastern) at the 2,000-seat River Center of the Performing Arts. CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee will be the keynote speaker at a Night to Honor Israel. Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran is also scheduled to speak, along with Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and Rep. Tom Price.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal is also scheduled to attend. Tickets are $12, $8 for balcony.
On June 6, there will be a Gathering of Solidarity with Israel in West Monroe, La. The event will be at The Assembly West Monroe on Cypress Street at 7 p.m. Col. John Somerville, CUFI central region coordinator, will be the guest speaker. Somerville is retired from the U.S. Marines and has been involved in military intelligence and the Middle East since the early 1970s. He has traveled to Israel numerous times.
On June 7 at noon, there will be a Pastor Luncheon and Middle East briefing at The Assembly, and Somerville will speak there as well.
In recent years, there have been CUFI Nights to Honor Israel in Shreveport and Jackson.
Groups like CUFI are careful to have a non-proselytizing policy at events and work hard to demonstrate that they are not trying to get a foot in the door to try and convert Jews. In many cases, local Jewish communities actively work with CUFI chapters. That is not necessarily the case with other pro-Israel Christian organizations, however.
A “Night to Honor Israel” at the Florence Coliseum with North Alabama Friends of Israel, on June 3, has a keynote speaker from Jewish Voice International, a missionary group. The speaker’s biography on the JVI website lists him as “an ordained Christian Pastor and a Messianic Jewish Rabbi” who has produced YouTube videos including "Jewish Evangelism 101" and "America: Mission Field for Jewish Evangelism."
Similarly, there was no Jewish involvement in a March of Remembrance held in downtown Birmingham on April 22. The march, which drew about 300 to Linn Park, was to honor Holocaust survivors and stand with Israel. However, many of the organizers are involved in the local “messianic” congregation, so the Jewish community did not attend.
Shlomo Bachar, classic master choreographer of Israeli dance, will visit Birmingham and New Orleans next week and offer workshops.
A fifth-generation Sabra, Bachar has taught at universities and formed numerous dance theaters and camps. While in the Israeli army, he was in charge of an entertainment group that performed at the front lines. Shlomo became an actor and choreographer for the National Theater of Israel, Habimah.
After he came to the United States in the 1950s, he became the director-choreographer of the Hadarim Israeli Dance and Song Theater, which began performances in 1962. His Hadarim dance club featured weekly classes and open dancing in Los Angeles from 1969 through 1974. He also co-owned the Cafe Shalom dance club on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles through the 1980s. From the late 1970s through the early 1990s, Shlomo co-founded various dance camps on the east and west coasts, including Hora Shalom in Los Angeles and New York, and Dalia in New York.
In 2001, Shlomo joined other choreographers at the "50th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Israel Folk Dance Festival, and the Israeli Folk Dance Movement in America" held at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.
He choreographed the Dibuk for the Pasadena Playhouse in California, and appeared in television and movies. He has choreographed nearly 400 dances.
In Birmingham, he will be at the Levite Jewish Community Center Fitness Studio on May 29 at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend; donations are welcome at the door. All ages are welcome.
In New Orleans, the workshop is presented by the Crescent City International Folk Dancers on May 31 and June 1, at the Starlight Ballroom on West Esplanade in Metairie, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 per night, $15 for both. For more information, call (504) 810-7041.
A fifth-generation Sabra, Bachar has taught at universities and formed numerous dance theaters and camps. While in the Israeli army, he was in charge of an entertainment group that performed at the front lines. Shlomo became an actor and choreographer for the National Theater of Israel, Habimah.
After he came to the United States in the 1950s, he became the director-choreographer of the Hadarim Israeli Dance and Song Theater, which began performances in 1962. His Hadarim dance club featured weekly classes and open dancing in Los Angeles from 1969 through 1974. He also co-owned the Cafe Shalom dance club on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles through the 1980s. From the late 1970s through the early 1990s, Shlomo co-founded various dance camps on the east and west coasts, including Hora Shalom in Los Angeles and New York, and Dalia in New York.
In 2001, Shlomo joined other choreographers at the "50th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Israel Folk Dance Festival, and the Israeli Folk Dance Movement in America" held at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.
He choreographed the Dibuk for the Pasadena Playhouse in California, and appeared in television and movies. He has choreographed nearly 400 dances.
In Birmingham, he will be at the Levite Jewish Community Center Fitness Studio on May 29 at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend; donations are welcome at the door. All ages are welcome.
In New Orleans, the workshop is presented by the Crescent City International Folk Dancers on May 31 and June 1, at the Starlight Ballroom on West Esplanade in Metairie, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 per night, $15 for both. For more information, call (504) 810-7041.
In “Mighty Fine,” filmmaker Debbie Goodstein does a “gefilte fish out of water” semi-biographical story, taking a Jewish family where the mother is a Holocaust survivor, and moving them from Brooklyn to New Orleans in 1974.
For the cast and crew, filming in New Orleans was similarly a fish out of water experience, as they all had to adjust to the city’s famous heat and humidity during a mid-summer shoot.
The film opens in limited release on May 25. New Orleans’ AMC Elmwood is one of about two dozen theaters nationwide with the film, the next closest to the Deep South is AMC Southlake in Atlanta.
The story takes Joe Fine, played by Chazz Palminteri, soft-spoken wife Stella (Andie MacDowell) and their two daughters to New Orleans because Fine sees an opportunity for his textile manufacturing business. They move into a French antebellum mansion that is in stark contrast to where they lived in New York.
Their Jewish culture in New York and the assimilation of predominantly-Catholic New Orleans is a backdrop to the film’s main theme, that of a domineering, angry father with an unpredictable temper as his business struggled. The film has already received attention for its taking on the issue of bullying and emotional abuse. A special screening for 100 “Mom bloggers” has already been held.
Goodstein started working on the film only after receiving permission from her father, who had a rage similar to Fine’s. In real life, her family moved to Long Island instead of New Orleans, and dealt with the American textile industry’s struggles in the 1970s.
She was inspired by the film “The Great Santini,” where the father was a complex character that had both a horrific and a wonderful effect on his children.
She noted that her father had been abandoned for a time during the Depression and grew up dirt-poor with strangers, and his rage may have come from a fear that he could not care for his family the way he wanted to.
In the film, Fine alternates between a quick temper and buying lavish gifts for the family. He buys a boat, taking the family out on Lake Pontchartrain.
He also borrows money from Mafia loan sharks to keep the business going. Barbara Goodstein said that part is not autobiographical, but they had heard there were Mafia rings in New Orleans in the 1970s.
One daughter rebels against her father while the other becomes introverted. Stella is caught between them and the man who gave her new life after the Holocaust.
The mansion in the film is actually located off St. Charles Avenue, and the manufacturing plant “can be traced back to many Jewish textile businesses owned by prominent New Orleans’ families to this day,” said co-executive producer Barbara Goodstein.
New Orleanian Francine Segal, a veteran of the film industry, worked with MacDowell as a dialect coach. She said working on this film was appealing to her because “I witnessed first-hand some of the dynamics in the film.” Her parents moved to New Orleans in the 1960s from Brooklyn, for business reasons.
Barbara Goodstein said the mother’s Holocaust background is mentioned several times in the film, and there are instances of anti-Semitism the family has to deal with. “While Judaism is not the subject of the film, it is clearly the undercurrent of the story,” she said.
Debbie Goodstein previously did “Voices From the Attic” in 1989, recounting how her mother had hid for years in an attic with 15 other family members during the Holocaust. She made that film after an aunt took her to Poland to see where a farmer had hid them.
She has made numerous television movies between the films, and when she started writing “Mighty Fine” four years ago, the story flew out of her in two weeks. She is now working on a sequel to “Voices From the Attic,” incorporating her children and their generation into the story of a new Poland.
For the cast and crew, filming in New Orleans was similarly a fish out of water experience, as they all had to adjust to the city’s famous heat and humidity during a mid-summer shoot.
The film opens in limited release on May 25. New Orleans’ AMC Elmwood is one of about two dozen theaters nationwide with the film, the next closest to the Deep South is AMC Southlake in Atlanta.
The story takes Joe Fine, played by Chazz Palminteri, soft-spoken wife Stella (Andie MacDowell) and their two daughters to New Orleans because Fine sees an opportunity for his textile manufacturing business. They move into a French antebellum mansion that is in stark contrast to where they lived in New York.
Their Jewish culture in New York and the assimilation of predominantly-Catholic New Orleans is a backdrop to the film’s main theme, that of a domineering, angry father with an unpredictable temper as his business struggled. The film has already received attention for its taking on the issue of bullying and emotional abuse. A special screening for 100 “Mom bloggers” has already been held.
Goodstein started working on the film only after receiving permission from her father, who had a rage similar to Fine’s. In real life, her family moved to Long Island instead of New Orleans, and dealt with the American textile industry’s struggles in the 1970s.
She was inspired by the film “The Great Santini,” where the father was a complex character that had both a horrific and a wonderful effect on his children.
She noted that her father had been abandoned for a time during the Depression and grew up dirt-poor with strangers, and his rage may have come from a fear that he could not care for his family the way he wanted to.
In the film, Fine alternates between a quick temper and buying lavish gifts for the family. He buys a boat, taking the family out on Lake Pontchartrain.
He also borrows money from Mafia loan sharks to keep the business going. Barbara Goodstein said that part is not autobiographical, but they had heard there were Mafia rings in New Orleans in the 1970s.
One daughter rebels against her father while the other becomes introverted. Stella is caught between them and the man who gave her new life after the Holocaust.
The mansion in the film is actually located off St. Charles Avenue, and the manufacturing plant “can be traced back to many Jewish textile businesses owned by prominent New Orleans’ families to this day,” said co-executive producer Barbara Goodstein.
New Orleanian Francine Segal, a veteran of the film industry, worked with MacDowell as a dialect coach. She said working on this film was appealing to her because “I witnessed first-hand some of the dynamics in the film.” Her parents moved to New Orleans in the 1960s from Brooklyn, for business reasons.
Barbara Goodstein said the mother’s Holocaust background is mentioned several times in the film, and there are instances of anti-Semitism the family has to deal with. “While Judaism is not the subject of the film, it is clearly the undercurrent of the story,” she said.
Debbie Goodstein previously did “Voices From the Attic” in 1989, recounting how her mother had hid for years in an attic with 15 other family members during the Holocaust. She made that film after an aunt took her to Poland to see where a farmer had hid them.
She has made numerous television movies between the films, and when she started writing “Mighty Fine” four years ago, the story flew out of her in two weeks. She is now working on a sequel to “Voices From the Attic,” incorporating her children and their generation into the story of a new Poland.
A large emphasis at Birmingham's Levite Jewish Community Center is physical fitness and overall wellness, so this year's LJCC fundraising gala had a theme that came from that department.
Students of the LJCC's Juarez Boxing class took to the ring last night, with the men doing three-round matches, with the women doing sparring exhibitions between fights. The main event, capping the night, was former Alabama Governor Don "Governator" Siegelman taking on Jerry "The Snake" Schnader. Both boxers wore tuxedo shirt tops with their boxing shorts, and both landed numerous hard shots during the bout.
Unlike the first three bouts, a winner was not declared in the finale. Instead, it was emphasized that the real winners were the LJCC, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, which also benefited from the evening.
Around 300 crowded into a large antiques store near Pepper Place for the gala. The store was transformed into a boxing venue, with numerous tables for attendees, and a separate room for the silent auction and hors d'oeuvres. When it came time for the main event, the entire roster of fighters came parading through the room.
Winners were selected by crowd reaction when the fights ended. In the first battle, Ben "Bone Crusher" Weil bested David "Kid Dyn-O-Mite" Campbell. Phillip "Cuban Sensation" Barrocas defeated Michael "The Blade" Bailey in the second fight, and "Jabbin" Jason Oleinick took the decision over Eric "Hispanic Causing Panic" Alonso.
Caroline "Lights Out" Leak, Lydia "Bad to the Bone" Cheney and Jennifer "Princess of Pain" Chandler did the exhibitions. "Ring Girls" announcing the rounds were women who had been touched by heart disease or stroke, whether themselves or a family member. Among the women was Karen Weinrib, who had a heart transplant in December 1991.
On Tuesday, Major Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Chairman of the Israeli Space Agency and the National Council for Research and Development, visited with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley as part of a three-state swing through the Southeast.
At the meeting, he discussed Alabama’s ties with Israel and the production of the Iron Dome missile defense system. He also urged the governor to lead a homeland security delegation to Israel for an international conference in Tel Aviv in November, and discussed the growing problem of cyber-terrorism.
Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran was also part of the delegation that met with Bentley. Ben-Israel and Aviran had been in Huntsville earlier that morning meeting with high-tech companies that want to do business with the Israeli military.
Mark Sabel, president of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama, attended the luncheon as well. He noted that “it is remarkable that the Governor made himself available to meet with the Israeli delegation given that it was the penultimate day of the regular Legislative session, with a number of major issues, including major budgetary issues, still unresolved.”
Left to right: Alabama Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, Inbal Ben-Israel, Maj. Gen. Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Consul General Opher Aviran, Mark Sabel, Former Alabama State Senator Hank Erwin, Adam Abrams
At the meeting, he discussed Alabama’s ties with Israel and the production of the Iron Dome missile defense system. He also urged the governor to lead a homeland security delegation to Israel for an international conference in Tel Aviv in November, and discussed the growing problem of cyber-terrorism.
Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran was also part of the delegation that met with Bentley. Ben-Israel and Aviran had been in Huntsville earlier that morning meeting with high-tech companies that want to do business with the Israeli military.
Mark Sabel, president of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama, attended the luncheon as well. He noted that “it is remarkable that the Governor made himself available to meet with the Israeli delegation given that it was the penultimate day of the regular Legislative session, with a number of major issues, including major budgetary issues, still unresolved.”
Left to right: Alabama Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, Inbal Ben-Israel, Maj. Gen. Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Consul General Opher Aviran, Mark Sabel, Former Alabama State Senator Hank Erwin, Adam Abrams
The role that Tuskegee Airmen played in saving Jewish lives in World War II was highlighted in a ceremony involving members of Israel’s military and diplomatic corps.
Israeli Major-General (Ret.) Isaac Ben-Israel and Consul General Opher Aviran joined Georgia State Representative and House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and living members of the Tuskegee Airmen in honoring its members who fought in World War II.
“The Tuskegee Airmen fought victoriously to defeat the Nazis in World War II and save Jewish lives from the Holocaust. These brave men made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II to ensure good would triumph over evil. The Jewish people will always be grateful to the Tuskegee Airmen," said Aviran.
The Tuskegee Airmen were so named because all African-American pilots in World War II trained at Tuskegee. In addition to fighting the Axis, they fought the bigotry of Jim Crow on the home front.
Ben-Israel and Consul General Aviran placed a wreath on the tomb of 1st Lt. Walter D. Westmoreland at South View Cemetery in Atlanta. Westmoreland graduated from Tuskegee Army Flying School (Class 43-G) on July 28, 1943. On October 13, 1944, while returning from an escort mission to Blechammer, Germany, the Atlanta native was killed in combat.
Many surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, including Mr. Norris Connally, a personal friend of 1st Lt. Westmoreland, were in attendance.
"I'm excited to be here today," said Ben-Israel. "As a Jew, an Israeli and an Air Force General I am honored by the Tuskegee Airmen." Ben-Israel was in Atlanta to speak at the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange 20th Anniversary Gala as well as brief the heads of Georgia's law enforcement agencies on security matters. Earlier in the week he was in Huntsville for a seminar to help Alabama companies do business with the Israeli military.
Ben-Israel is the current Chairman of the Israel Space Agency, Israel National Council for R&D and Israel High Committee for Science and Technology. He is also a professor at Tel-Aviv University where he teaches in the Security Studies Program.
After Katrina, a renewed emphasis was placed on growing the New Orleans Jewish community and attracting young Jews to the region. On May 31 at 6:30 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans’ Young Adult Division and the New Orleans Jewish Community Center’s Young Jews of the Crescent City will present Start Up People, 10 Jewish entrepreneurs and their nine different start-up businesses in New Orleans.
Each entrepreneur will have a booth where they will talk about their new business and the importance of giving back to the community.
The event will be held at the Goldie and Morris Mintz Center for Jewish Life (Tulane Hillel) with kosher food catered by Chef Harveen Khera of Hillel’s Kitchen.
The entrepreneurs include Andy Adelman of Bayou BBQ Cleaners, which deep-cleans barbecue grills; Josh Friedmann of Calliope Consulting, which does web development for small businesses and non-profits; Ron Gubitz of Whetstone Education, an online teacher observation platform; Jonathan Kaplan of Build My Bod, an app that compares prices on cosmetic procedures in the area; Andrew Pollack of Andrew Jackson Pollack designs, handmade glass décor; Peter Seltzer of Green By Design and other “sustainable” companies; Laura Stein of Dancing Grounds, establishing infrastructure for the dance community.
Tickets for young adults to attend the event are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. $5 of every ticket sold will be given to Emily’s Entourage, an entrepreneurial cause raising awareness and dollars toward cystic fibrosis research. The Entourage is supported by Tulane Hillel and is spearheaded by Jewish young adults in New Orleans.
Asher Friend, of Jones Walker, LLP, will be available to discuss plans for a follow-up event offering free legal advice for young entrepreneurs.
To make a reservation, go to www.startuppeople.org.
Each entrepreneur will have a booth where they will talk about their new business and the importance of giving back to the community.
The event will be held at the Goldie and Morris Mintz Center for Jewish Life (Tulane Hillel) with kosher food catered by Chef Harveen Khera of Hillel’s Kitchen.
The entrepreneurs include Andy Adelman of Bayou BBQ Cleaners, which deep-cleans barbecue grills; Josh Friedmann of Calliope Consulting, which does web development for small businesses and non-profits; Ron Gubitz of Whetstone Education, an online teacher observation platform; Jonathan Kaplan of Build My Bod, an app that compares prices on cosmetic procedures in the area; Andrew Pollack of Andrew Jackson Pollack designs, handmade glass décor; Peter Seltzer of Green By Design and other “sustainable” companies; Laura Stein of Dancing Grounds, establishing infrastructure for the dance community.
Tickets for young adults to attend the event are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. $5 of every ticket sold will be given to Emily’s Entourage, an entrepreneurial cause raising awareness and dollars toward cystic fibrosis research. The Entourage is supported by Tulane Hillel and is spearheaded by Jewish young adults in New Orleans.
Asher Friend, of Jones Walker, LLP, will be available to discuss plans for a follow-up event offering free legal advice for young entrepreneurs.
To make a reservation, go to www.startuppeople.org.
By Lee J. Green
In his 12 seasons as a linebacker for the NFL’s New England Patriots, Andre Tippett initiated a lot of sacks, goal line stands and stalwart defensive efforts.
So it doesn’t come as any surprise that he whole-heartedly initiated his conversion process to Judaism before he and his wife Rhonda married in 1993.
“I learned a lot from my wife’s upbringing in Judaism and I knew how important it was for her,” said Tippett, a Birmingham native who was enshrined into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on May 12. “I knew we were going to get married and wanted to start a family.
“I was raised Baptist in a devout family,” he added. “But the conversion to Judaism was something I initiated and felt in my heart I was doing something that was right for me. That is the most important thing first. The more I learned, the more I embraced it and realized how uniquely special this was. Being Jewish is who we are and I am very proud of it.”
The ASHOF induction represents Tippett’s trifecta, having been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tippett’s family moved from Birmingham to the northeast when he was younger and he graduated high school in Newark, N.J. He was recruited by the University of Iowa and led the Hawkeyes’ defense in 1981 to its best performance in school history.
The Patriots took notice and drafted him in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He became an instant starter and from 1984-85, Tippett recorded the highest two-season sack total by a linebacker in NFL history with 35 sacks in the two seasons. He would earn five straight Pro Bowl selections from 1984 to 88 and was named AFC Linebacker of the Year for three straight seasons, 1985 to 1987.
But something more important happened in 1986 — he met the love of his life. Rhonda Kenney had just graduated from college and was working at a black radio station in Boston. Tippett came in to do an on-air interview and met Rhonda.
“He asked me out and we found an instant connection. We dated for seven years and we knew for sure we were meant to be together early on,” she said.
Rhonda and Andre got a rabbi friend to marry them in Las Vegas, about the time he retired from the NFL in 1993 after spending his entire 12 years with the Patriots. “For at least a few years prior, Andre would ask me questions about Judaism and learn as much as he could. He was always very passionate about it,” said Rhonda.
“It intrigued and engaged me,” he added.
In his conversion process, he was aided by Robert Kraft — the Jewish owner of the Patriots and known as one of the top philanthropists for Jewish causes worldwide. Kraft was one of two witnesses at the ceremony. “He is one of the nicest, most incredible people you could ever know. I am so grateful to him and my family for their support,” said Andre Tippett.
Kraft is still his boss to this day. Tippett currently serves at the Patriots’ Executive Director of Community Affairs.
The Tippetts have three daughters — Janea, Asia and Madison, along with one son, Coby.
In 2007, Rhonda went on a mission trip to Israel. In 2009, the entire family went, in part for Madison’s Bat Mitzvah. It was Andre’s first trip to Israel and he said it was “awe-inspiring. It is amazing to experience Israel and Jerusalem. This is where several religions and cultures intersect. There is so much rich tradition there and it is such a beautiful place,” he said.
The Tippetts live in Sharon, Mass, which is between Boston and Foxboro, where the Patriots play. Rhonda said it is a small town with a large Jewish population. “We’re involved with the Reform congregation, but there are six other synagogues just in Sharon,” she said. “Every Jewish holiday is celebrated at our house and we so much enjoy being involved with the community.”
Of course, being a sports hero and being Jewish, Andre is asked to make appearances at a lot of special events hosted by groups in the Jewish community. “I embrace it and enjoy it. I try to attend every Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Temple Brotherhood event I am asked to speak at. It’s always fun to talk about football and being Jewish,” he said.
With an ongoing need for cutting-edge military systems because of hostile neighbors, and a requirement that the vast majority of U.S. military aid be spent in the U.S., Israel is constantly looking for American partners.
Today, about 50 attended a Defense, Aerospace and Homeland Security Seminar in Huntsville, where numerous Alabama companies pitched their services to representatives of the Israel Ministry of Defense. The seminar, which was held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, was coordinated by the North Alabama International Trade Association and the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast.
Tom Glaser, who heads the Atlanta-based AICCSE, said "we've been thinking about this program for some time."
Consul General Opher Aviran spoke about the shared values between Israel and the U.S., along with a shared enemy in "those who are fighting against democracy." It is a "partnership of ideals and values."
A centerpiece of the day was a talk by Bill Dickerhoff, program manager at Boeing, about the Arrow anti-missile system, developed in large part in Huntsville. The system, which went operational in 2000, was the first to have a missile-to-missile hit-to-kill intercept. A similar system in the U.S. was not operational until 2004.
The Arrow intercepts long-range missiles, and has to do so quickly. For the U.S., the biggest missile threats are North Korea and the Middle East. After any missile launch there is a window of "tens of minutes" to figure out the target and take evasive action. For Israel, the window is 10 minutes at most.
For missiles fired from Gaza, the window is "tens of seconds." Because of that, Aviran said Israel recently deployed a new system, the Iron Dome, which "saved many lives recently in the last wave of missiles" from Palestinians in Gaza.
Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. (Res.) Professor Isaac Ben-Israel, who was involved in the Arrow project from the beginning, said there has not been a single week in the last 10 years when "someone didn't shoot a rocket, two rockets... and sometimes hundreds of rockets in one week."
The Arrow began as an offshoot of President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, commonly referred to as "Star Wars." When the Palestinian rockets began coming from Gaza, the Arrow was too heavy and slow for the short-range threat, so Iron Dome was developed.
Iron Dome, which has a few batteries deployed, detects a rocket launch and figures out the trajectory. It ignores ones that will not hit populated areas; in other cases it alerts the populace and launches an intercept missile. Ben-Israel received an astonished reaction in the room when he cited an 85 percent intercept success rate.
Deploying Iron Dome "changed the situation immediately," he said. "We are very thankful to the American administration for supporting" Iron Dome.
That still leaves a gap in the middle, he noted, which is being filled by David's Sling, which is in development in partnership with Raytheon. David's Sling will deal with missiles in the 100- to 500-kilometer range.
Another area of emphasis for Israel has been cyber-terrorism. Ben-Israel said it goes far beyond the public perception of defacing websites. "The threat is much deeper and stronger." One example he cited was "damage that was done by 'someone' to the Iranian nuclear facility." And that was done to an isolated system that was not connected to the Internet.
Israel began contemplating such threats two decades ago. Currently, he said, Israel faces 300 cyber attacks every minute. "Fortunately most of the regular attacks can be defeated by means that are not so sophisticated." The challenge comes from organizations like states or crime organizations that have greater resources.
It isn't just hacking to get information, he noted. Physical damage can be done through computers. For example, turbines in power production are controlled by computer and can be damaged by malignant software.
Attacks on Israeli systems come from China, Russia and neighbors like Iran. Expertise that Israel has in fighting cyber terrorism is shared with allies, Ben-Israel said, "and the first one on the list is the U.S."
To that end, Aviran and Ben-Israel left the seminar early to meet with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, with one agenda item being cyber security.
Three representatives of the Israel Ministry of Defense explained the process by which a company becomes a vendor. Once approved, companies find out about Israel's needs. Israel does not put out a call for bids, lest enemies find out what they need, so the military goes through its vendor list to see which companies can fill specific needs, then invites bids.
Mintz said they want to keep expanding the vendor list and try to never be in a situation where there is only a single vendor for a particular product or service.
Six Alabama companies made presentations to the group, touting everything from helicopter and aircraft maintenance and rebuilding, to a spray-on paint that makes a building bomb-resistant.
Companies also had 15-minute one-on-one interviews with the Israel Defense representatives, to discuss opportunities.
Israel receives almost $3.1 billion in U.S. military aid per year, and must spend about 75 percent of that in the U.S. Technology developed in Israel is shared with the U.S., and many products that are developed in Israel are manufactured in the U.S.
Today, about 50 attended a Defense, Aerospace and Homeland Security Seminar in Huntsville, where numerous Alabama companies pitched their services to representatives of the Israel Ministry of Defense. The seminar, which was held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, was coordinated by the North Alabama International Trade Association and the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast.
Tom Glaser, who heads the Atlanta-based AICCSE, said "we've been thinking about this program for some time."
Consul General Opher Aviran spoke about the shared values between Israel and the U.S., along with a shared enemy in "those who are fighting against democracy." It is a "partnership of ideals and values."
A centerpiece of the day was a talk by Bill Dickerhoff, program manager at Boeing, about the Arrow anti-missile system, developed in large part in Huntsville. The system, which went operational in 2000, was the first to have a missile-to-missile hit-to-kill intercept. A similar system in the U.S. was not operational until 2004.
The Arrow intercepts long-range missiles, and has to do so quickly. For the U.S., the biggest missile threats are North Korea and the Middle East. After any missile launch there is a window of "tens of minutes" to figure out the target and take evasive action. For Israel, the window is 10 minutes at most.
For missiles fired from Gaza, the window is "tens of seconds." Because of that, Aviran said Israel recently deployed a new system, the Iron Dome, which "saved many lives recently in the last wave of missiles" from Palestinians in Gaza.
Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. (Res.) Professor Isaac Ben-Israel, who was involved in the Arrow project from the beginning, said there has not been a single week in the last 10 years when "someone didn't shoot a rocket, two rockets... and sometimes hundreds of rockets in one week."
The Arrow began as an offshoot of President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, commonly referred to as "Star Wars." When the Palestinian rockets began coming from Gaza, the Arrow was too heavy and slow for the short-range threat, so Iron Dome was developed.
Iron Dome, which has a few batteries deployed, detects a rocket launch and figures out the trajectory. It ignores ones that will not hit populated areas; in other cases it alerts the populace and launches an intercept missile. Ben-Israel received an astonished reaction in the room when he cited an 85 percent intercept success rate.
Deploying Iron Dome "changed the situation immediately," he said. "We are very thankful to the American administration for supporting" Iron Dome.
That still leaves a gap in the middle, he noted, which is being filled by David's Sling, which is in development in partnership with Raytheon. David's Sling will deal with missiles in the 100- to 500-kilometer range.
Another area of emphasis for Israel has been cyber-terrorism. Ben-Israel said it goes far beyond the public perception of defacing websites. "The threat is much deeper and stronger." One example he cited was "damage that was done by 'someone' to the Iranian nuclear facility." And that was done to an isolated system that was not connected to the Internet.
Israel began contemplating such threats two decades ago. Currently, he said, Israel faces 300 cyber attacks every minute. "Fortunately most of the regular attacks can be defeated by means that are not so sophisticated." The challenge comes from organizations like states or crime organizations that have greater resources.
It isn't just hacking to get information, he noted. Physical damage can be done through computers. For example, turbines in power production are controlled by computer and can be damaged by malignant software.
Attacks on Israeli systems come from China, Russia and neighbors like Iran. Expertise that Israel has in fighting cyber terrorism is shared with allies, Ben-Israel said, "and the first one on the list is the U.S."
To that end, Aviran and Ben-Israel left the seminar early to meet with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, with one agenda item being cyber security.
Three representatives of the Israel Ministry of Defense explained the process by which a company becomes a vendor. Once approved, companies find out about Israel's needs. Israel does not put out a call for bids, lest enemies find out what they need, so the military goes through its vendor list to see which companies can fill specific needs, then invites bids.
Mintz said they want to keep expanding the vendor list and try to never be in a situation where there is only a single vendor for a particular product or service.
Six Alabama companies made presentations to the group, touting everything from helicopter and aircraft maintenance and rebuilding, to a spray-on paint that makes a building bomb-resistant.
Companies also had 15-minute one-on-one interviews with the Israel Defense representatives, to discuss opportunities.
Israel receives almost $3.1 billion in U.S. military aid per year, and must spend about 75 percent of that in the U.S. Technology developed in Israel is shared with the U.S., and many products that are developed in Israel are manufactured in the U.S.
On Monday night, members of Mesch AZA had dinner at Max’s Deli — but the real business of the dinner was to present a check for $5,800 to Dr. Raymond Watts, director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
The funds were raised at the third annual Jam4Sam, held Nov. 20 outside Max’s Deli at the Colonnade in Birmingham. The Jewish youth group held the third annual fundraiser in memory of Sam Lapidus, to coincide with his birthday. Lapidus would have been 18 on Nov. 14.
Lapidus, a member of Mesch, died on Nov. 5, 2008 at the age of 14 after a long battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. Proceeds from the concert benefit childhood cancer research at UAB. Six bands played during the afternoon.
The first year, the fundraiser brought in $2,000. The 2010 event topped $5,000.
In addition to admission fees and donations, Max’s Deli donated a percentage of their sales to the cause, and provided gift cards at a discount that the AZA members then sold at full price with the difference going toward the fundraiser.
The funds were raised at the third annual Jam4Sam, held Nov. 20 outside Max’s Deli at the Colonnade in Birmingham. The Jewish youth group held the third annual fundraiser in memory of Sam Lapidus, to coincide with his birthday. Lapidus would have been 18 on Nov. 14.
Lapidus, a member of Mesch, died on Nov. 5, 2008 at the age of 14 after a long battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. Proceeds from the concert benefit childhood cancer research at UAB. Six bands played during the afternoon.
The first year, the fundraiser brought in $2,000. The 2010 event topped $5,000.
In addition to admission fees and donations, Max’s Deli donated a percentage of their sales to the cause, and provided gift cards at a discount that the AZA members then sold at full price with the difference going toward the fundraiser.
The new theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts made its public debut in an impressive evening, as Collat Jewish Family Services of Birmingham announced it had raised $110,000 in the May 3 “Hands Up Together” benefit concert.
The venue was almost filled for the concert featuring Tony-nominated actor Euan Morton, and honoring Jimmie Hess.
Cathy O. Friedman, who chaired the evening, said the “entire evening has been beshert,” the term for something that is destined, mentioning that even the stage the concert was held on was named for Jimmie and the late Emil Hess.
Jimmie Hess’ history of support for the arts locally and philanthropy in the Jewish and general communities was highlighted in the presentation. She spoke of her children, “20 grandchildren” – 10 couples – and “I have great hopes for my 24 great-grandchildren.”
Hess said “many people have been helped by this wonderful organization. They’ve been helped quietly and effectively.”
This year she celebrated her 90th birthday, and told the crowd that “tonight you make me feel so young… and 90 inches tall.”
The evening also highlighted the work CJFS does in the community, with an emphasis on showing it goes beyond just the Jewish community. A video presentation told the story of an older non-Jewish woman from a small town in Tennessee who moved to Birmingham to be closer to family, and who has maintained her independence through the assistance of CJFS.
Morton, who moved to New York from Great Britain in 2003 to take the role of Boy George in “Taboo,” said despite his suit, he performs informally and invited the crowd to sing along when they liked, though he added “Jimmie, I’ve heard that if you join in, you’ll put me to shame.”
The venue was almost filled for the concert featuring Tony-nominated actor Euan Morton, and honoring Jimmie Hess.
Cathy O. Friedman, who chaired the evening, said the “entire evening has been beshert,” the term for something that is destined, mentioning that even the stage the concert was held on was named for Jimmie and the late Emil Hess.
Jimmie Hess’ history of support for the arts locally and philanthropy in the Jewish and general communities was highlighted in the presentation. She spoke of her children, “20 grandchildren” – 10 couples – and “I have great hopes for my 24 great-grandchildren.”
Hess said “many people have been helped by this wonderful organization. They’ve been helped quietly and effectively.”
This year she celebrated her 90th birthday, and told the crowd that “tonight you make me feel so young… and 90 inches tall.”
The evening also highlighted the work CJFS does in the community, with an emphasis on showing it goes beyond just the Jewish community. A video presentation told the story of an older non-Jewish woman from a small town in Tennessee who moved to Birmingham to be closer to family, and who has maintained her independence through the assistance of CJFS.
Morton, who moved to New York from Great Britain in 2003 to take the role of Boy George in “Taboo,” said despite his suit, he performs informally and invited the crowd to sing along when they liked, though he added “Jimmie, I’ve heard that if you join in, you’ll put me to shame.”
The weeks of JazzFest were a time to strengthen the bonds between New Orleans and its Partnership2Gether community in Israel, Rosh Ha’Ayin.
Mayor Moshe Sinai visited the city to further strengthen official ties, and a jazz ensemble from the Rosh Ha’Ayin Music Conservatory performed in numerous venues across the area, including the Musicians Village, the New Orleans Jewish Day School, and a jam with local musicians on the corner of Frenchmen Street.
There was also a concert at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on April 26, and a visit to Touro Synagogue’s JazzFest Shabbat, featuring John Boutte.
The delegation also dined at Jacque-Imo’s and Domenica, whose chefs were part of the New Orleans exchange to Rosh Ha’Ayin last summer for the dedication of the Music Promenade.
Sinai’s visit included attending the World Cultural Economic Forum, held in New Orleans from May 2 to 4. The annual conference was held jointly this year with the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
During the conference, Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed memoranda of understanding with three communities, including Rosh Ha’Ayin. The memorandum calls on both communities to “examine interests, possibilities, and conditions for establishing future Sister City relations.”
Both cities agreed to identify areas of “common interest” and “identify and secure appropriate funding sources and identify local non-governmental partners in each city, such as the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, that agree to facilitate implementation of concrete activities.”
On May 3, Sinai addressed the New Orleans City Council and was recognized for the “continued partnership between Rosh Ha’Ayin and the City of New Orleans.”
The city council proclamation “formally recognizes the special relationship between the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Israeli city of Rosh Ha’ayin; establishes the Partnership2Gether platform as a model for sister city partnerships; and encourages future collaboration and exploration of new and creative exchanges to create greater understanding and friendship among our people.”
Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said, "I commend Mayor Moshe Sinai for the committed work he does in promoting and nurturing the connections between the cities of Rosh Ha'Ayin and New Orleans. The relationship of our cities is based upon a unique and cherished cultural, community and intellectual partnership."
The proclamation noted that “New Orleans and Rosh Ha’ayin are both vibrant growing cultural communities recognized as centers for music, arts, history and culture in their respective countries,” and the communities have had cultural exchanges with chefs, educators and musicians.
(Photos courtesy Robert Witrock)
The American Israel Chamber of Commerce Southeast will hold a Huntsville Defense and Aerospace Seminar on May 15. The seminar is an opportunity for Alabama companies to meet with and learn from Israel Ministry of Defense officials.
The Israeli officials will discuss the country’s security needs, especially in technology, equipment and other supplies, and talk about how to do business with the Israeli government. Currently, the Israel Ministry of Defense purchases over $2.2 billion annually from U.S. companies.
Alabama Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey will open the seminar, and Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran will give a presentation. Victor Mintz, general counsel of the Israeli government mission to the U.S., will also speak.
The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Professor Isaac Ben-Israel, chairman of the Israel Space Agency and the Israel National Council for Research and Development.
A presentation will be made by Dadeville-based Vector-Hawk Aerospace, on their major contract with Israel to supply and upgrade aircraft engines. Boeing will give a presentation on their Arrow Weapons System joint venture with Israel Aerospace Industries.
Pre-selected Alabama companies will have meetings with the Israeli delegation, to present their products and services.
The event will be at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Educator Training Facility from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration is $30, including lunch.
The Israeli officials will discuss the country’s security needs, especially in technology, equipment and other supplies, and talk about how to do business with the Israeli government. Currently, the Israel Ministry of Defense purchases over $2.2 billion annually from U.S. companies.
Alabama Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey will open the seminar, and Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran will give a presentation. Victor Mintz, general counsel of the Israeli government mission to the U.S., will also speak.
The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Professor Isaac Ben-Israel, chairman of the Israel Space Agency and the Israel National Council for Research and Development.
A presentation will be made by Dadeville-based Vector-Hawk Aerospace, on their major contract with Israel to supply and upgrade aircraft engines. Boeing will give a presentation on their Arrow Weapons System joint venture with Israel Aerospace Industries.
Pre-selected Alabama companies will have meetings with the Israeli delegation, to present their products and services.
The event will be at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Educator Training Facility from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration is $30, including lunch.
"Treme," the HBO series set in post-Katrina New Orleans, will be filming a Bar Mitzvah scene in Metairie on May 9, and the producers have sent out a call for extras. They need volunteers, including families and children ages 13 and up with a parent, to be background actors in a scene.
To sign up, submit name, age, contact number, email and a clear recent photo to tremeextras@gmail.com, subject Bar Mitzvah, or call (504) 342-4945.
Volunteers are asked to mention that they are part of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, as the Federation will receive a contribution for the volunteer's participation.
To sign up, submit name, age, contact number, email and a clear recent photo to tremeextras@gmail.com, subject Bar Mitzvah, or call (504) 342-4945.
Volunteers are asked to mention that they are part of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, as the Federation will receive a contribution for the volunteer's participation.
The Birmingham Sister Cities Commission has won Sister Cities International's 2011 Best Overall Program Award for a city with a population between 100,001 and 300,000, with several initiatives involving the relationship with Israeli sister city Rosh Ha’Ayin cited.
The award recognizes sister city programs that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in advancing the goals and mission of the sister cities movement.
An E-Pal program with Rosh Ha'ayin now includes four schools in Birmingham and two in Rosh Ha'ayin. Over 300 students communicate each week via email and video conference. The Commission also sent two local college graduates to Hitachi, Japan for two years as English teachers.
With the Commission's support, Birmingham jazz guitarist Eric Essix performed in sister cities Rosh Ha’Ayin and Szekeshfehrevar, Hungary. There were several art exchanges with sister cities including Karak, Jordan, which signed its sister city arrangement in a trilateral ceremony with Birmingham and Rosh Ha’Ayin.
Birmingham’s commission also hosted the Fourth Open World program on the theme "Accountable Governance" with participants from sister city Vinnytsia, Ukraine. A delegation of six high school students and two chaperones visited sister city Winneba, Ghana to conduct a service project.
As a result of a delegation visit from sister city Chao Yang, China, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and the Emergency Management Agency of Jefferson County are now collaborating to develop hospice programs in China. In December 2011, Mayor William Bell and a member of the Sister Cities Commission went to Beijing as part of the U.S.-China EcoPartnership program.
Award winners will be honored at a special luncheon ceremony on July 14 during the Sister Cities International 56th Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Fla.
Sister Cities International facilitates nearly 2,000 partnerships in 136 countries on six continents between 600 communities in the United States with similar municipalities abroad.
The award recognizes sister city programs that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in advancing the goals and mission of the sister cities movement.
An E-Pal program with Rosh Ha'ayin now includes four schools in Birmingham and two in Rosh Ha'ayin. Over 300 students communicate each week via email and video conference. The Commission also sent two local college graduates to Hitachi, Japan for two years as English teachers.
With the Commission's support, Birmingham jazz guitarist Eric Essix performed in sister cities Rosh Ha’Ayin and Szekeshfehrevar, Hungary. There were several art exchanges with sister cities including Karak, Jordan, which signed its sister city arrangement in a trilateral ceremony with Birmingham and Rosh Ha’Ayin.
Birmingham’s commission also hosted the Fourth Open World program on the theme "Accountable Governance" with participants from sister city Vinnytsia, Ukraine. A delegation of six high school students and two chaperones visited sister city Winneba, Ghana to conduct a service project.
As a result of a delegation visit from sister city Chao Yang, China, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and the Emergency Management Agency of Jefferson County are now collaborating to develop hospice programs in China. In December 2011, Mayor William Bell and a member of the Sister Cities Commission went to Beijing as part of the U.S.-China EcoPartnership program.
Award winners will be honored at a special luncheon ceremony on July 14 during the Sister Cities International 56th Annual Conference in Jacksonville, Fla.
Sister Cities International facilitates nearly 2,000 partnerships in 136 countries on six continents between 600 communities in the United States with similar municipalities abroad.
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