Our third annual J’la Gala is set for Thursday, August 8. With its gourmet kosher meal plus live music and silent and live auctions, the event has quickly become a favorite event that people across the metro area look forward to every year.
“Giving the feeling of belonging to every person who walks through our doors is our top priority,” says Executive Director Brooke Bowles. “Our community offers space for everyone — and the J’la is a crucial part of making that happen.”
At this year’s gala we’re looking to raise $200,000 to support our ongoing scholarship-related initiatives, including:
- Discounted memberships for our neighbors who demonstrate financial need
- Swim School for underserved children
- Our fee-free youth theater program, which so far this year has allowed some 50 kids the opportunity to shine on stage in an impressive production of Annie JR.
- Memberships for: Israeli citizens who have been displaced by the ongoing war, local Jewish Hillel students to use our pool this summer, and military veterans (like Ron Jefferson, who use our pools for therapeutic aqua aerobics)
- Discounted memberships for employees of Birmingham’s numerous Jewish organizations plus United Way
- Discounted memberships for residents of Glenwood, a local provider of autism and behavioral health services
- Free memberships for Birmingham’s first-responders
“Looking at this list, it’s easy to see how The J saves lives on a daily basis,” says Brooke, whose work often reminds her of the teaching in the Talmud about how saving a single life is considered to be saving the whole world.
Many ways to help
While we would love to see you at the event (look for tickets to go on sale soon), other ways you can help this event help The J succeed include:
- Becoming a sponsor or underwriter
- Contributing an item or group of items to our extensive silent auction
- Contributing a “big-ticket” item to our live auction
Learn more about all your options here.
“Whether or not you’re able to attend the J’la, we’ve made it easy for you to contribute to the event,” says Brooke.