Levite Jewish Community Center

Closed for Rosh Hashanah
2024-10-04
Evening of October 2–4
Greeting: L’Shana Tova U’Metoka (“le-shahna tow-VAH oo-meh-TOH-kah”) or to a good and sweet new year
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, signifies the day on which God completed the creation of the world. Rosh Hashanah denotes the start of the Days of Awe, which are the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. These days are used for introspection and reflection on the mistakes of the past year and the changes to make for the coming year. Traditions include:

Dipping apples in honey in anticipation of a sweet new year.
A total of 100 notes are sounded on each day from the shofar, or ram’s horn. The sound serves as a “wake-up call” to begin the process of intense introspection.

A guide to 2024 Jewish holidays

'Remembrance, Resilience, and Hope' program
2024-10-07
RSVP now for our October 7 community-wide remembrance program starting at 6 p.m.

Tai chi with Galina Waites
2024-10-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Enjoy an hour of tai chi every Tuesday at The J.
Taught by Galina Waites, this complimentary program is sponsored by United Way and is open to everyone (non-members included).

Questions with the Rabbi
2024-10-08 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-11-12 12:00 - 13:30
Open to everyone!
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Do you have questions about Jewish law, tradition, or history? Join Rabbi Yossi Friedman for an open conversation about all things Jewish as part of our monthly lunchtime series that explores pretty much whatever you’ve ever wanted to know about the world of Judaism.
Learn more (and RSVP for your free ticket that includes lunch).
This season’s sessions (on the second Tuesday monthly):

August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10
January 14
February 11
March 11
May 13

Closed for Yom Kippur
2024-10-12
Read more about Jewish holidays.

Holiday hours for Erev Sukkot
2024-10-16
Open 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
Read more about Jewish holidays.

Closed for Sukkot
2024-10-17
Evening of October 16–23
Greeting: Chag sameach (“khahg sah-MAY-ahkh”) or happy holiday
Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, is a seven-day festival beginning five days after Yom Kippur on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Sukkot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, or three pilgrimage festivals that include Passover and Shavuot. Sukkot both celebrates the harvest and commemorates the type of dwelling the Israelites lived in during their 40 years of wandering through the desert.
Building a Sukkah
The walls should be made from natural materials that will withstand an ordinary wind and the roof should be made of a material that grew from the earth, was cut off from the earth, and is not susceptible to contamination (e.g., tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds, and sticks). You must be able to see the night sky through the roof and there should be at least 2.5 walls.
Myrtle, willow branches, ulav (a palm frond), and etrog (yellow citron) are symbols of this holiday.
Read more about Jewish holidays.

Lunch in the Sukkah
2024-10-21
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join us for a free lunch in The J’s sukkah as we celebrate the joyous holiday of Sukkot! Rabbi Yossi Friedman will meet us at noon to deliver an explanation of the sukkah, the etrog and lulav, and the holiday’s history.
Reserve your spot today.

Flu and covid vax clinic
2024-10-21
Get vaxxed by Ritch’s Pharmacy here at The J 4-7 p.m.
We’ll have Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for ages 12 and up; Moderna for under age 12 only. Flu will be available for ages 5 and up.
No registration required, but bring your insurance prescription card or Medicare number.

Holiday hours 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
2024-10-23
Open 5 a.m.-6 p.m. for Erev Shemini Atzeret
Read more about Jewish holidays.

"Honor Our Parents" Shabbat service
2024-10-23, 2024-11-08
Services begin at 11 a.m. — see details below:

Closed for Shemini Atzeret
2024-10-24

Dr. Shayna Kaufmann discusses midlife for women
2024-10-29
The LJCC is excited to welcome author Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D., to speak about her new book Embrace the Middle: A Woman’s Guide to Mindfully Navigating the Challenges, Celebrating the Joys, and Finding Power in Midlife. Geared toward women, the event will be Tuesday, October 29, 5:30-7 p.m. and will include wine and snacks.
The event is free and open to the public (RSVP required). Shayna also will lead a guided meditation earlier the same day at 11:30 a.m. (limited capacity; RSVP required).
Read more…

Family Fun Day at The J!
2024-11-03
Join us 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for a food truck extravaganza plus lots of activities, including…
Games, bounce house, the J Camp experience (summer camp for kids), ginormous inflatable in the indoor pool, door prizes, unbeatable line-up of fitness classes, special discounts and swag for new members, and more!
Read more…

Shalom Y'all: A post-election day of peace, self-care, and community
2024-11-06
We’re opening our doors and inviting everyone* to The J for a post-election day of peace, self-care, and community.
The 2024 election cycle has not spared Birmingham the emotions, passions, and anxieties that have riled the nation. We invite you to gather in search of peace as a community — no matter your political persuasion.
Join us at The J for a day of events and classes aimed at cultivating a space of togetherness and self-care.
All y’all are welcome!
SCHEDULE

8-9:30 a.m.: “Mindful Hike” with Rev. Terri Ann Heiman from Natural Forces Studio
Noon: Enjoy a Zumba class with Jasmyn Jacobs
4:30 p.m.: Yoga in the auditorium with Jaimie Roxas
2-4 p.m.: Therapy with Amy from Collat Jewish Family Services: “A day for self-care is a powerful time to turn inward and look deeply at our emotional and physical needs. Self-attunement gives us a chance to recognize and understand what our minds and bodies are feeling. Members and guests will be able to access six interactive self-attunement stations focused on slowing down, observing our emotions and bodies, practicing gratitude, grounding, and releasing the urge to control situations that we cannot control.”

*Non-members of the LJCC are welcome in the building with a valid ID.

American Red Cross blood drive
2024-11-18 10:00 - 14:00
Sign up here (find The J using ZIP code 35213)

Board game get-together
2024-11-18 10:30 - 12:00
Join us for a fun-filled morning playing board games and socializing. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
LJCC membership is not required, but you’ll need to RSVP to caleigh@cjfsbham.org or call 205.278.7101.
This event is co-hosted by Collat Jewish Family Services and the Levite Jewish Community Center.

Gym occupied by youth basketball
2024-11-18 13:00 - 17:45, 2024-11-19 16:45 - 19:30, 2024-11-21 16:45 - 19:30

Southern Jewish Voices
2024-11-20
All programs are noon-1:30 p.m. and include lunch (RSVP)
Southern Jewish Voices is a collaborative effort between the Levite Jewish Community Center and Temple Beth-El to present stories about Jewish life in Birmingham and around the South. The program is presented through a series of interviews conducted in front of a live audience and includes a complimentary lunch. Videos of all sessions are archived online.

September 18: Michele Forman
November 20: Robert Levin
December 18: TBD
January 22: Carlie Stein Sommerville
February 19: Amy Saag
March 19: TBD
April 23: TBD
May 21: Isa Dorsky
