March 8, 2020

Congregations in region weigh COVID-19 concerns

At the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville on Feb. 28, representatives of Magen David Adom demonstrated Israel’s real-time emergency response system, noting increased activity due to coronavirus concerns As cases of the COVID-19 variant of the coronavirus continue to pop up, congregations and institutions […]
March 6, 2020

“The Ice Front” chronicles Norwegian theatrical resistance to Nazis

Actors with the Norwegian National Theatre, forced by the Nazi German occupation to perform a “blatantly, horrendously anti-Semitic play” stage a rebellion in “The Ice Front.” Birmingham Festival Theatre hosts the regional premier of the play, written by Eric Samuelsen in 2017 and based on […]
March 5, 2020

Tulane Jewish Studies establishes chair with anonymous $2 million gift

Tulane student Jon Cowen in front of the Jewish Studies building on Freret Street (photo by Arielle Pentes) On March 2, the Tulane University Department of Jewish Studies announced it received an anonymous $2 million gift to establish the Chair in Contemporary Jewish Life Endowed […]
March 1, 2020

Purim events in the Deep South

Here is a selection of Purim events in the region: Alabama Temple Beth El in Anniston will have its Purim celebration on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Birmingham’s Knesseth Israel will have a Wild West Purim Party on March 9, with a “chicken and trimmings” […]
March 1, 2020

“Soul Doctor” screening in Selma for Jubilee weekend

“Soul Doctor,” which won Best Feature at the New York Kwanzaa Film Festival, will be screened at the Walton Theater in Selma on March 1st at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate Black History Month and the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. “Soul Doctor,” the film adaptation […]
February 28, 2020

Reform groups mobilize for NOLA rally as court hears abortion rights case

Updated March 3 after change of venue was announced. As the United States Supreme Court hears a major reproductive rights case coming from Louisiana this week, a coalition of groups including the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Women of Reform Judaism is coordinating […]
February 27, 2020

Jewish sports fans to Bama star Jeudy: We’re honored, no apology needed

Jerry Jeudy sports his Star of David necklace during the Walk of Champions before a recent game in Tuscaloosa While former Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy issued an apology for anyone who was offended by his wearing a Star of David necklace, the overwhelming response […]
February 24, 2020

Shabbat goes Country: Joe Buchanan brings Texas sound to his Jewish journey

Though Joe Buchanan is one of the more active figures in Jewish music these days, performing across the country three weeks per month, he came to the field with very little background in Jewish music. Or Judaism, for that matter. At a synagogue early in […]
February 18, 2020

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience returns this fall in New Orleans

The opening of the reimagined Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience draws closer with the announcement that the New Orleans site will debut this fall. “This will be the only museum in the country to focus exclusively on the history and culture of Jews across […]