2009.11.11
Need book club ideas? Check out the book club reading lists on the AJL web site.

2009.09.15
New benefit for AJL members:

Some issues of the AJL Newsletter are now available to members only as searchable pdf files on the AJL website. Issues from Nov/Dec 2007 through Nov/Dec 2008 are posted and the plan is to post an updated file every time a new print issue is available. The two most recent issues will continue to be available in print only and will be mailed to all AJL members. Thanks to Nancy Sack for facilitating this.

To access the issues online on the AJL website, click on Publications and then AJL Newsletter. You will be prompted for your username/id which can be found on your AJL membership card. If you can't locate your membership card, email Laurie Haas, VP for Membership at lhaas@torahacademy.org.

2009.06.30
More conference news:

The blog of the 2009 AJL Convention is now available at
http://ajl09.posterous.com/. Whether you'll be attending the
convention or not, the blog is a great place to see what's going on,
learn from the event, and share thoughts. Many members of AJL's
Council and Committees will be posting to the blog, and everyone is
welcome to add their own comments.

You can subscribe to the blog by email if you register (for free) at
http://posterous.com/main/register?flow=subscribe. It'll ask you to
create your own free Posterous blog as you sign up. Don't worry, if
you don't want a blog you'll never have to use it, it's just part of
the sign up process.

Alternatively, you can subscribe by RSS, or you can simply visit the
blog website at http://ajl09.posterous.com whenever you like, without
signing up for anything at all.

Looking forward to a great convention in Chicago!
Heidi Estrin
heidi@cbiboca.org


2009.06.22
Going to the AJL conference? Bring your T-Shirts! As posted to ha-Safran:

Several years ago I initiated a "Hebraica/Judaica T-shirt lunch" when
AJL convention attendies wore T-shirts with some Hebrew words or
Judaica related topic on it. This was fun, but somehow discontinued.
Lately I was asked by some members who had fond memories of this if
it can be revived. The Program committee agreed, but I didn't see it
on the program. So, let's do it during the Monday lunch and have some
laughs. Anything goes, from your JCC, synagogue, Hillel or Hebrew
class T-shirts to ones with slogans and ads in Hebrew.

Rachel Simon

2009.06.21
Members of the faith community may be interested in this event. Note that Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Temple
Israel Minneapolis, is one of the speakers:

Called to be a Faithful Minnesota: A Witness of Lament

Tuesday, June 30, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
State Capitol, St. Paul

Minnesota people of faith are gathering for a witness of lament on the
morning of Tuesday, June 30 to beg Governor Tim Pawlenty not to abandon
the health of Minnesota's citizens, especially those most in need.

At the end of the legislative session the governor vetoed funds for
health insurance for 30,000 extremely vulnerable Minnesotans. Now his
unallotment plan accelerates these health care cuts by two months. He
also plans to unallot emergency assistance and services to children,
families and people with disabilities.

As people of faith we want to send the message that this is not the
Minnesota we are called to be. It is against the teachings of all our
religious traditions. We want to remind Governor Pawlenty that he is
governor of all the people and plead for his care for all.

Join us for this rally:

Gather at Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill, 105 University
Avenue, St. Paul , by 10:15 am. We will stage in congregational groups
and process in a somber, funeral-like procession beginning at 10:30 am.
Please wear black and bring old flowers and notes to the governor
expressing your faith-based concern about these budget decisions.

We will process down Martin Luther King Blvd , cross and gather on the
South steps of the Capitol. Please deposit your flowers and cards in
the baskets provided.

Speakers will include Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Temple
Israel Minneapolis; and the Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson of the
Stairstep Initiative, as well as the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Executive
Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and Rev. Grant Abbott,
Executive Director of the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches.

A delegation will deliver the cards and letter to the Governor's
office.

TO THE GOVERNOR: TAX OUR POCKETBOOKS, NOT OUR SOULS


17 June 2009

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

To the Editor:

Governor Pawlenty's announced cuts in Minnesota's Health and Human
Services programs amount to nothing less than a "tax" on the soul of
all Minnesotans. Our state's essential identity is built on the
notion of care for the poorest and the most vulnerable. We are not a
"survival-of-the-fittest" state where the strong and the powerful
rise at the expense of all others. We have always chosen, instead, to
act with the knowledge that "we're all in this together," that
none of us can really prosper unless the basic needs of all are provided
for. The Governor's unallotment proposals, which directly affect the
homeless, the sick, and the disabled, serve to erode this long-standing
and vital foundation of our identity. He has chosen to burden us all
- "tax" us, if you will - with the weight of knowing that we
have not lived up to our higher aspirations and our deeper sense of what
is right. Many of us would far prefer to have our pocketbooks taxed . .
. not our basic values.

The Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian
Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis , Minnesota 55403
612-871-7400


2009.06.16
The annual Association of Jewish Libraries convention is coming up soon. If you'll be there, plan to attend the chapter relations sessions:

The Chapter Relations Committee Wants You!

Do you belong to an AJL chapter?
Do you wish there were an active chapter in your area?
Do you need ideas to keep your chapter active?

Join Chapter Relations Coordinator Irene K. Seff and your Chapter colleagues during Convention late evening meetings. We will:

• Network—meet other chapter officers and members from around the country in an informal setting
• Exchange ideas for successful programs and chapter “survival tips”—(please bring copies of publicity materials to share)
• Tell the Chapter Relations committee how we can help you
• Hear about Regional Reps, Regional Conferences, and expanded Chapter support.

Sunday, July 5 (immediately following Keynote. Abt 9 p.m.)
Monday, July 6 (immediately after movie, abt 10 p.m.)
Please check the Conference program for meeting locations

If you can’t attend either of these meetings,
we’d still love to hear from you!
Email us with comments, ideas, suggestions, anytime, at:
Irene: Irene@theseffs.net or
Roz: Roz@thereisners.net
Chapter Relations, co-chairs