community ate a team, seeing what USIEA and JH Israel are doing to make life better for Israelis and Palestinians touched him deeply. In addition, he said, “Jews and Christians are from the same family — I’m trying to bring people together.“ As part of this effort to bring people together, he plans to bring the Auburn basketball team to Israel in August 2021. “I want these kids to experience Israel, see how great it is and come home and tell their families.” Working his way up over the years from school to school, Pearl didn’t always have the financial resources that he has today as one of the most successful basketball coaches in the Southeastern Conference. Given his more prosperous circumstances, the trip motivated the Pearls to make the largest gifts they’ve ever made in support of Israel, through donations to USIEA and JH Israel. Johnston also spoke at the recent program, highlighting USIEA’s achievements and reflecting on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which was beginning that evening. She talked knowledgeably and passionately about the significance of the holiday to Jews and broadened it metaphorically to embrace all of the people who were there. Sukkot, she said, is “a powerful festival of commemoration.” Powerful indeed was the operative word for those there that night. Johnston, a Christian Biblically-inspired to support Israel, and Pearl, an open-hearted fiercely proud Jew, were a powerful combination — not only inspiring each other but inspiring everyone who was there.
E S C A P E T O PA R A D I S E
ESCAPE
@ E D G E WAT E R
Start Planning Your Beach Escape Today.
EdgewaterBeach.com / (800) 822-4929 291 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Richard Friedman will be finishing a long-time career as executive director of the Birmingham Jewish Federation on Dec. 31. He will be joining the staffs of the US Israel Education Association and Israel InSight magazine.
Rabbi Silberman leading tour of Morocco Rabbi Steven Silberman of Ahavas Chesed in Mobile is planning a tour of Jewish, scenic and cultural sites in Morocco, April 21 to 30. Highlights will include Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh and Ifrane, a Moroccan parallel to a town in the Swiss Alps. The tour includes sightseeing, most meals, wine tastings, a sunrise hot air balloon ride and more. Cost is approximately $4,000 per person for land only, based on at least 10 travelers. Before 1948, there were over 250,000 Jews in Morocco, with the community dating back to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. Currently, Israel has about 500,000 Jews of Moroccan descent, and Morocco has about 2500 Jews remaining. For more information, contact Silberman at rabbi@ahavaschesed.com. November 2019 • Southern Jewish Life
21