Temple Emanu-El is our home – both spiritually and religiously. Even though both Mark and I grew up in Montgomery, since moving to Birmingham in 2007 Temple Emanu-El has embraced us and made us feel like we have been here all of our lives. Right from the start, this congregation provided our family with a strong conduit to God — through Rabbi Miller, as well as Cantor Roskin and Rabbi Haas.

It is especially meaningful for my grandmother, Charlotte, to see our sons being raised here and representing four generations at Temple Emanu-El. For Mark, too, whose grandfather immigrated to America and settled into the Montgomery community, we both want to carry on our families’ Jewish traditions and be one of the strong links in the chain.It’s no wonder that since we arrived here that we have supported the Grafman Endowment Fund in whatever way we could. Although it’s not much now, we give an Annual Endowment Gift each year. We have seen all the good that this fund has provided to congregants of all ages, but we also know it’s for the future, too. To us, the Endowment Fund is a legacy, more than a charity – and we know that every little bit helps. In doing so, we know that we are also laying a foundation for the future and hope, by our example, that our boys will continue the tradition of contributing to their Jewish community as well. After all, Temple Emanu-El is our home.