Support from the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation continues to make a meaningful difference at the Levite Jewish Community Center. A series of recently announced grants from the BJF provides $9,000 to boost two Levite JCC programs, plus an additional $70,000 that will further strengthen security at the venerable institution.
“We’re so grateful for these grants that help ensure that our campus remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone,” says Brooke Bowles, CEO of the Levite JCC. “As we prioritize Jewish ‘joy’ and continue offering more Jewish programs, we recognize that rising antisemitism remains a serious-enough threat that the more programming we offer, the more security we need.”
The security funding will help the Levite JCC continue to prioritize the well-being of every member, guest, and staff person who walks through the door. The program grants include $3,000 for the lively shuk marketplace at the upcoming Jewish Food and Culture Fest on April 26, and $6,000 to support the popular Southern Jewish Voices live-interview program that is currently in its fourth season.
“This work is deeply personal to me because the Levite JCC is one of the agencies at the heart of our community, and this campus has been the center of my Jewish life since I was a kid,” says BJF CEO Florina Newcomb. “Through the support of the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation, we’re able to invest in both the joy of Jewish life and the security that makes that joy possible.”
Together, these latest grants from the BJF help sustain the Levite JCC as a place not just to gather, but to thrive.