Pickleball Palooza — Sunday, November 16
2025-11-16 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Rd, Birmingham, AL, 35213, United States
It’s time to rally, rotate, and celebrate at the Pickleball Palooza — our most exciting social tournament of the year at the Levite Jewish Community Center!
This rotating doubles format keeps things fresh and fun — we’ll pick your partner each round, so you’ll meet new players and test your skills across 7 rounds and 3 championship games.
Expect friendly competition, great community vibes, and plenty of laughs — this is what pickleball at The J is all about!
✅ Rotating partner format — we mix it up for you!✅ 7 rounds + 3 championship games✅ All skill levels welcome
📅 Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025📍 Location: Levite Jewish Community Center Courts⏰ Time: Noon – 5 p.m🎟️ Register: Sign up today!
Members: $30Non-Members: $40
Grab your paddle and get ready to play — Pickleball Palooza is where the fun happens!

'Matilda JR.' live on stage at The J
2025-11-16 14:00 - 15:30
LJCC Youth Theater
See the program
Matilda JR is the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of abusive parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly and in creating her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda also must face a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in Crunchem Hall’s motto: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots.” She finds companionship in her teacher, Miss Honey, who, though well-intentioned, is shy and fragile. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson — that even though life can be hard, “nobody but me is gonna change my story” so “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”
GET TICKETS

November 13, 6:30 p.m.
November 14, noon (school show; contact Shannon Brasovan to reserve group seating)
November 15, 6:30 p.m.
November 16, 2 p.m.

American Red Cross blood drive
2025-11-17 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-24 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-23 10:00 - 14:00
Sign up here

Youth Basketball First Practice! (Registration Open)
2025-11-17 13:00 - 18:00 | Wood Gym, AL, United States
Season Begins: Monday, November 17, 2025
Location: LJCC Wood Gymnasium
Description:Youth Basketball at The J is back for the 2025–2026 season! This season, children of all ages and skill levels can join a program designed to teach the fundamentals of basketball, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Mini Hoopers (3–4.5 yrs): A playful introduction focusing on movement, coordination, and ball familiarity. In-house game days included.
Fast Breakers (Pre-K4–K): Early team experience emphasizing dribbling, passing, catching, and simple team concepts. In-house game days included.
High Flyers (1st–2nd grade): Developmental team focusing on small-sided games, fundamentals, ball handling, passing, shooting, defense, spacing, and movement off the ball. Games against local teams.
Rain Makers (3rd–5th grade): Competitive developmental team emphasizing offense and defense, transition play, skill growth, and basketball IQ. Games against local teams.

Practice Times / Age Groups:

Mini Hoopers (3–4.5 yrs): 1:15–1:45 PM, 3:15–3:45 PM, 5:00–5:30 PM
Fast Breakers (Pre-K4–K): 4:00–4:45 PM
High Flyers (1st–2nd grade): 5:00–5:45 PM
Rain Makers (3rd–5th grade): Tuesday, Nov 18: 3:45–4:30 PM

Season Dates: November 17 – February 4
Register Today: Secure your child’s spot and get ready for a season of fun, learning, and basketball action!👉 Registration Link

The Map. The Compass. The Moment.
2025-11-19 18:15 - 19:30
The Middle East Two Years After October 7
Avi Melamed leads a briefing to unravel the complexities of the Middle East with clear, in-depth, contextualized, and holistic analysis.
Two years after October 7, the region is still feeling the domino effect of that day — across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, the Gulf States, and beyond. In The Map. The Compass. The Moment., Avi connects the dots between today’s headlines and the deeper forces shaping them – helping audiences see not just what’s happening, but where it’s leading.
Avi explores:

How did we get here?
Where are we now?
Where are we going?

Avi guides audiences toward a deeper understanding of Israel and its neighbors — exploring the regional dynamics driving both instability and the potential for change. Avi Melamed is a former Israeli intelligence official, Senior Arab Affairs Advisor, author, and trusted educator, designed to help audiences understand Israel through the broader lens of the Middle East. This program concludes with a live Q&A.

Funding is in part provided by the JCC Association of North America and the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation.

'Honor Our Parents' Shabbat service
2025-11-21 11:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-05 11:00 - 13:30
Services begin at 11 a.m.
Everyone is welcome to our series of “Honor Our Parents” Shabbat services co-hosted at The J by Collat Jewish Family Services. The 45-60-minute service conclude with a complimentary lunch.
RSVP to Caleigh Rathmell Alevy to reserve your spot:

January 24 with Rabbi Henkin
February 7 with Rabbi Friedman
March 7 with Cantor Wittner
April 4 with Rabbi Henkin
May 9 with Rabbi Friedman
Tentative June 13 with Cantor Wittner
Tentative July 25 with Rabbi Henkin
August 29 with Rabbi Friedman
September 12 with Rabbi Wright
October 24 with Rabbi Henkin
November 21 with Rabbi Friedman
December 5 with Rabbi Wright

HOLIDAY HOURS: Facility closed for Sam Lapidus Montclair Run
2025-11-27

Sam Lapidus Montclair Run
2025-11-27 08:00 - 11:00
Sam Lapidus Montclair Run 2025

HOLIDAY HOURS: 5 a.m.-5 p.m.
2025-11-28

TO BE RESCHEDULED -- Mensch & Mingle: Featuring ¡HICA! (Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama)
2025-12-04 16:30 - 18:00
THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR EARLY 2026
Join us for drinks, connection, and conversation as we spotlight a local organization making a difference. Meet others who are passionate about similar work, learn about the nonprofit’s mission, and hear from a Jewish community member who advocates with the featured group.
For this session, we will hear from Dr. Carlos Alemán, CEO of ¡HICA! (Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama), with former Board Member and Tamale Captain Joyce Shevin.

This program is a partnership between the Levite Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Relations Council of The Birmingham Jewish Federation.

Mountain Brook Holiday Parade
2025-12-07 15:00 - 17:00
Cheer on the LJCC float in this year’s City of Mountain Brook Holiday Parade on Sunday, December 7, at 3 p.m.
Beginning at 2:00pm, no vehicular traffic will be permitted along the parade route until the conclusion of the parade — including vehicles that are PARKED. Public Works will install temporary fencing along the entire parade route. At the conclusion of the parade, roadways inside the traffic circle will remain closed until all pedestrians are out of the street. We will send out updates on the Mountain Brook Police App when the closures start and end.
PARADE ROUTE:
The parade will stage on the roadways in Office Park Circle. It will turn left from Office Park Circle onto Cahaba Road and travel straight to the northern end of Culver Road where it will turn right. It will then cross Montevallo Road onto Petticoat Lane, continue straight onto Culver Road, and then turn left back onto Cahaba Road. The parade will return to Office Park Circle where it will disperse.

Community Canvas exhibit opening
2025-12-09 18:00 - 19:00
Our third annual Community Canvas at The J collaborative art exhibit will explore what l’dor v’dor | from generation to generation means to various Birmingham organizations. Join us for the opening and hear how local nonprofits embody l’dor v’dor.
Wine and cheese provided.
RSVP

Celebration of the late Sam Tenenbaum's life
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00
Rabbi Adam Wright will officiate.
Read about Sam.
Sam’s funeral will have taken place Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery.

Grand Menorah Lighting at the Summit
2025-12-14 16:15 - 17:00

Southern Jewish Voices
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:30
Here’s our fall line-up for 2025
All programs run noon-1:30 p.m.; click the links to RSVP for lunch

September 17: Criminal defense attorney and author Richard Jaffe
November 19: Florina Newcomb, CEO of the Birmingham Jewish Federation
December 17: Pizitz family members Richard Sr., Richard Jr., and Andrew

HOLIDAY HOURS 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
2025-12-24

HOLIDAY HOURS 8 a.m.-noon
2025-12-25
Administrative offices closed

HOLIDAY HOURS 5 a.m.-4 p.m.
2025-12-31

HOLIDAY HOURS 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
2026-01-01

American Red Cross blood drive
2026-01-07 11:30 - 15:30
Get details and sign up to donate.

Pool closed noon-4:30
2026-01-11 12:00 - 16:30
The indoor pool will be closed for a swim meet today, noon-4:30 p.m.

Pickleball Community Nights
2026-01-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Outdoor Pickleball Court
A weekly Monday meet-up where you can enjoy:

Designated courts for every skill level
Smooth paddle rack rotation system to keep games fair and flowing

Court Breakdown:

Court 1 – Learning Court | Beginners & 101 Clinic Graduates
Cooperative, slower-paced play focused on improvement and fun.
Court 2 – Rally Court | Intermediate Players & Pickleball League Members
Standard rally-based games with rotating partners and opponents.
Court 3 – Challenge Court | Competitive Players
Higher-level play. Winners stay for two games, then rotate.

Pickleball Community Nights are a structured drop-in evening where players can enjoy consistent, level-appropriate play without needing a full league or tournament commitment.

Questions with the Rabbi: Heaven, Hell, and the World to Come
2026-01-13 12:30 - 13:30
Open to everyone!
12:30-1:30 p.m.
What does Judaism say about the afterlife, the soul, and the messianic era?
Learn alongside members of the LJCC and Birmingham community in this conversational talk with Rabbi Friedman. While there is a specific monthly theme, Rabbi Friedman is open to any and all questions about Jews and Judaism.
Learn more and RSVP for your free ticket that includes lunch).
This season’s sessions:

Jan 13 | Heaven, Hell, and the World to Come
Feb 10 | Angels, Demons, and Dreams: Mysticism in Judaism
March 10 | Why So Many Rules?
May 12 | Why Do Bad Things Happen?

Lunch & Learn with Yakov
2026-01-18 12:00 - 13:30
In the Main Group Fitness Room
Learn from longtime LJCC Personal Trainer Yakov Lyublinskiy how to distinguish between mobility and flexibility and learn effective warm-up strategies to prepare, plus post-exercise stretching techniques to support recovery and long-term movement.
Complimentary light lunch will be provided.
Come in workout attire.

Southern Jewish Voices meets Jack Schniper
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:30
All programs run noon-1:30 p.m.; click the links to RSVP for complimentary lunch
January 21: Holocaust survivor Jack Schniper, who was born during World War II in a work camp in Ukraine before coming to Birmingham, where his refugee family was sponsored by the Jewish community
February 18: Orly Henkin, director of Judaics and assistant head of school at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School
March 18: Jonathan Wiesen, professor of history at the University of Alabama at Birmingham specializing in modern Europe, Nazi Germany, and the Holocaust
April 15: Sally and Richard Friedman; Sally was longtime director of the Birmingham Jewish Foundation while Richard served as director of the Birmingham Jewish Federation and the Levite JCC
May 20: Michael Saag is associate dean for global health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and founder of the 1917 Clinic, a comprehensive AIDS treatment and research center at UAB

Pickleball 101 Clinic
2026-01-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Outdoor Pickleball Court
New to pickleball? This is the perfect place to start!
Our Pickleball 101 Clinic is a hands-on beginner session designed to teach you the basics of the game in a fun, supportive environment:

How to hold a paddle and serve
Scoring and court rules
Basic movement, rallies, and strategy
