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Larry Brook

Illustration of a lit menorah on the sixth night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Photo by Mendy Hechtman/Flash90.

Hiding in plain sight on Hanukkah

In Alabama, a Hanukkah House becomes a light unto the nations.

December 19, 2022

Israel’s Nimrod Ryeder starts his journey toward gold, defeating Poland’s Robert Henek in jiu-jitsu at the World Games in Birmingham, Ala., on July 15, 2022. Photo by Larry Brook.

Israel has noteworthy top-15 overall finish at the World Games

“We are doing a great job, with amazing coaches, with amazing athletes; it is very difficult to do—send them around the world, give them scholarships” and everything else they need to compete at the highest level, says Ayelet CEO Arik Kaplan.

July 18, 2022

Daria Atamanov (being held) celebrates her medals in rhythmic gymnastics. Photo by Larry Brook.

World Games week in review: Israel wins four golds, one silver

The Alabama competition has emphasized peace and reconciliation worldwide, taking inspiration from Birmingham’s transition in the last 60 years since it was the focal point of civil-rights battles.

July 15, 2022

From left: World Games Birmingham Organizing Committee CEO Nick Sellars, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Israel Deputy Consul General Alex Gandler, United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee Acting General Secretary Azza Sulaiman, Moroccan Political Counselor Fatima Zahra Aboulfaraj and Bahrain Trade Representative Rose Sager receive proclamations at the dedication of the Abraham Accords tree site in Birmingham. Photo by Larry Brook.

Birmingham honors Abraham Accords with ‘peace tree’ during World Games

Mayor Randall Woodfin said the spirit of the World Games “has been one of unity and peace,” and “today we solidify that message. Birmingham is honored to be home to this tree, planted by four countries that happily can call themselves friends.”

July 15, 2022

Legacy Arena, World Games in Birmingham, Ala., July 2022. Credit: Courtesy.

World Games: Activist waves Palestinian flag next to Israelis during Opening Ceremony

Jeff Emerson, a spokesperson for the World Games, said “this behavior is not in accordance with the training all volunteers have gone through to show respect to our guests.”

July 10, 2022

Birmingham, Alabama. Credit: Pixabay.

World Games: Israeli athletic delegation head hopes for gold, in more ways than one

Ayelet, the Federation of Non-Olympic Competitive Sport in Israel, doesn’t received nearly the same government support as the Olympics or Paralympics, and what they do get is minimal, according to CEO Arik Kaplan.

July 8, 2022

Archery. Credit: Pixabay.

Israel sending 50-plus athletes to Birmingham, Ala., to compete in World Games

Some 3,600 international athletes from 110 countries will take part in 200 medal competitions in 34 sports, most of which are not on the Olympic roster.

July 8, 2022

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Gilad Erdan talks with David Jackson of the Philos Project while crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” civil-rights demonstrations. Credit: Southern Jewish Life.

In first US tour, Israel envoy embarks on ‘personal journey’ along civil-rights trail

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan said Jewish and African-American communities have a lot in common as people who hold “the words of the Bible close to [their] heart, and have experienced extreme persecution and prejudice over many centuries, but remained resilient and hopeful.”

Larry Brook

February 24, 2021

Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in Georgia Raphael Warnock (left) and Jon Ossoff. Source: Facebook/Jon Ossoff.

As Senate runoff looms, Jewish Georgia not immune from deep national political divide

Atlanta’s Jewish community is the largest in the South, with around 120,000 Jews. And right now, it’s the center of attention as the country moves closer to Jan. 5.

December 28, 2020