community
Alabama’s “Bloom Hillel is thriving” as expansion dedicated Seven years after the Bloom Hillel at the University of Alabama dedicated a new facility that would meet its needs for the foreseeable future, a dedication ceremony was held on Aug. 26 for a much-needed, if not originally anticipated, expansion. With Jewish enrollment at the university expanding every year, the Hillel had been drawing capacity crowds averaging 110 to 120 for Shabbat dinners each week. Mike Honan, co-chair of the Bloom Hillel board, said they were routinely bumping up on capacity and did not want the fire marshal to compel them to turn anyone away. Star Bloom, who also co-chairs the board, said the first Shabbat dinner in the expanded facility, held on Aug. 24, drew over 175 students, prompting Honan to say that they might need the services of their architect and construction company again soon. The expanded Hillel has a capacity of 250, and the expansion added a board room and director’s office. The project had a quick turnaround, as the groundbreaking was held on Feb. 4. Lisa Besnoy, director of Bloom Hillel, said if the dedication ceremony had taken place 10 days earlier “you would be sitting on a concrete slab.” A $1 million campaign was launched for the expansion, and as of the dedication it was approximately 70 percent complete. Bloom said “we can’t stop, we need to meet at our original goal.” Part of the fundraising is for increased operating and programming expenses, and Bloom noted that the week’s Friday night turnout “tells us we better get busy raising the money.”
The dedication’s theme was “L’dor V’dor,” generation to generation. Besnoy said “We know a thing or two about tradition at the University of Alabama,” adding that “Bloom Hillel is thriving.” University President Stuart Bell said when he walked in, he commented “this room seems larger.” Looking around the room, he could see the generational influence, praising the generation “stepping forward to leave the kind of facilities our students need to be successful. Trying to build something for the next generation — there’s nothing greater that one can do.” Bell added, “Thank you for what you are doing, and of course, Roll
State of Israel Bonds cordially invites you to attend
The 2018 Birmingham Annual Community Event Honoring
Richard Friedman The evening will also be highlighted by the presentation of The Birmingham Jewish Federation Awards
Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award ~ Robin Bromberg Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award ~ Ronne Hess Sunday, November 11th, 2018 ~ Temple Beth-El ~ 2179 Highland Avenue Light Reception 4:15pm ~ Program 5:00pm
Co-Sponsored by The Birmingham Jewish Federation & The Birmingham Jewish Foundation October 2018 • Southern Jewish Life
17