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This article discusses the Rousso family, who are all involved in the medical field and active members of the Birmingham Jewish community. Daniel Rousso is a facial plastic surgeon, while his children, Emily and Craig, are successful dentists. Emily recently opened her own pediatric dentistry office, while Craig took over leadership of Mountain Brook Smiles. The Rousso family emphasizes the importance of family, community involvement, and work-life balance. They also have a matriarch, Nancy Rousso, who used to work as a social worker and is now a yoga instructor. The family is proud to be involved in the Birmingham Jewish community and has been members of Temple Emanu-El for years. The article also briefly mentions the Fitness Center, a personal training facility in Mountain Brook that has been in operation for over 30 years. The center offers a variety of services tailored to individual clients' fitness goals. [Extracted from the article]

Exterior Designs, founded by Bev Katz, specializes in creating New Orleans-style landscapes and second homes. Katz, a licensed landscape contractor and horticulturalist, emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with beauty in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Exterior Designs offers services such as site analysis, traditional New Orleans courtyard designs, and lawn alternatives that support pollinators. Additionally, the company provides renovation and maintenance services for second homes in New Orleans and recently introduced a DIY Masterplan service. In the real estate market, New Orleans native Gary Lazarus, a real estate agent with ReMax New Orleans, utilizes his knowledge of Crescent City neighborhoods to assist buyers and sellers. Lazarus, who comes from a construction background, offers insights on inspections and structural improvements. He is dedicated to finding his clients their ideal homes and is actively involved in the community, including serving as camp chair for the Henry S. Jacobs Camp. [Extracted from the article]

Hurwitz Mintz, a family-owned furniture business founded by Russian Jewish immigrants, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in New Orleans. The company, which has been headquartered in Metairie since 2000, is known for its commitment to customer service and community involvement. Despite facing challenges such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurwitz Mintz has remained a leading furniture store in the region. The company is planning celebratory events for its milestone anniversary and will be having a big Warehouse Sale in August. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses Aviné, a downtown wine bar and retail shop in Birmingham, Alabama. The owners, Ashley Tanner and Gray Maddox, combined their love of wine with their experience in managing fine-dining restaurants to create Aviné. The wine shop carries mostly French and Italian wines, and the menu consists of hors d'oeuvres, tartines, small plates, charcuterie, and desserts. Aviné also hosts wine seminars and a music series featuring artists from Muscle Shoals. The owners aim to showcase entertainers, wines, and beers from their home state of Alabama. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the opening of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's 2024-25 season with the play "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" by Jewish playwright Ken Ludwig. The play, which won the Helen Hayes Best New Play Award in 2020, is a love story set against the backdrop of World War II. It tells the story of Ludwig's parents' courtship through the letters they wrote to each other. The play is described as a blend of comedy and deep personal and emotional connection. The director, Risa Brainin, is a Jewish director who started as an actress and has since focused on directing and mentoring new playwrights. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses two different topics. The first topic is about a family-owned business called Our Menus, which offers Botox and fillers for dental patients. The family members have a background in art history and see their work as a combination of medical science and art. They are also involved in the Birmingham Jewish community. The second topic is about The Fitness Center, a personal training facility that has been operating for over 30 years. The center offers a variety of services tailored to individual clients' fitness goals and has a staff with many years of experience. The owners emphasize the importance of building relationships with their clients and providing them with education and resources for leading healthy lives. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The director, Melissa Rain Anderson, describes the musical as a story of redemption, love, and dreams. The production incorporates local actors in the children's ensemble, adding to the magic and impact of the classic story. The article also mentions the musical's worldwide success and its diverse musical styles. For more information and tickets, readers are directed to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's website. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the upcoming Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, which will feature short films on various topics related to Jewish history and culture. One film, "In Solidarity," explores the attempted bombing of Temple Beth-El in 1958 and its connection to the Civil Rights movement. Another film, "The Torch," shares the stories of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in Alabama. Additionally, there will be a documentary on the life and influence of British glam rock legend Marc Bolan, as well as a film about a gay rabbi's journey of self-discovery. The article also mentions other films that will be screened at the festival. [Extracted from the article]

The Lakeshore Foundation is hosting a Celebration of Champions fundraiser in Birmingham to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The event aims to celebrate athletes as they prepare to represent the United States. Lakeshore, an internationally renowned organization, serves over 4,000 individuals annually through physical activity, sport, recreation, advocacy, policy, and research. The U.S. Wheelchair Rugby team, which trains at Lakeshore, has a successful track record at the Paralympic Games, having won four world championships and three gold medals. [Extracted from the article]

"Sophia's Gift" is a children's book by Karen Kurtz that explores the lives of Jews in the South during the Civil War. The book tells the true story of a wounded Confederate soldier who forms a friendship with a Jewish mother and her daughter in Culpeper, Virginia. The soldier gives the daughter a china doll before he leaves, which she names Grace Darling. The book sheds light on the history of Jewish merchants in Culpeper and their experiences during the war. Kurtz, the author, plans to write another book about how children learned to sew before the invention of the sewing machine. [Extracted from the article]

Hollywood Outdoor Living, a family-owned company in Vestavia, offers a range of outdoor furniture, kitchens, entertainment areas, pool and spa products and services. They now feature BriskIt grills, pellet grills that can be set for Shabbat and come with WiFi-enabled features and AI capabilities. Hollywood Outdoor Living acquired Alabama Gaslight & Grill in 2021, expanding their offerings to include gas/charcoal grills, luxury lighting, fireplace products, and accessories. Rome Curate, a one-stop shop for home and lifestyle needs, recently opened in Birmingham, offering furniture, accessories, art, photography, books, rugs, candles, and even skin care products from South Korea. The store aims to support local artists and designers and has a showroom in Birmingham that is open by appointment. [Extracted from the article]

Hollywood Outdoor Living, a family-owned company in Vestavia, offers high-tech grills called BriskIt grills that can be set for Shabbat. These pellet grills are fueled by wood pellets and can be controlled remotely via WiFi and AI capabilities. They are versatile and can cook a variety of kosher favorites. Hollywood Outdoor Living also offers outdoor furniture, kitchens, entertainment areas, pool and spa products and services. In addition, Rome Curate, a one-stop shop for home and lifestyle needs, recently opened in Birmingham. They offer a tailored collection of furniture, accessories, art, photography, books, rugs, candles, and even skin care products from South Korea. They aim to support local artists and craftsmen. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses real estate trends in two different areas. The first part focuses on the growth of the Oxford community in northeast Mississippi, which has led to an increase in real estate sales. The area is considered affordable and has been ranked as one of the top places for retirees. The second part of the article discusses the real estate market in the Birmingham area, where inventory is low and sellers who have homes ready to sell tend to get good prices. The article emphasizes the importance of location in real estate and mentions that many people are moving to Birmingham to be close to family or for new opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the growth of the Oxford area in northeast Mississippi, driven by the thriving community and Ole Miss University. The real estate market is strong, with affordable housing and a high demand for rentals during football season. Oxford has been recognized as one of the top places for retirees, offering amenities such as a new hospital and free classes for seniors at the university. The article also mentions the experiences of a real estate agent who has helped people from various cities and countries find homes in Oxford. In the Birmingham area, inventory is low, and location remains a crucial factor in real estate. The article concludes by highlighting the trend of people moving to Birmingham to be closer to family or for new opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

Gary Lazarus, a real estate agent with ReMax New Orleans, predicts a great year for the New Orleans real estate market. Lazarus attributes his success to his thorough knowledge of the city's neighborhoods and his network of referrals. He has been in the real estate business since 2002 and has experience in construction, which allows him to provide valuable insights to buyers and sellers. Lazarus is dedicated to researching new neighborhoods and helping his clients find their ideal homes. He is also involved in various community organizations, including Touro, Shir Chadash, and Gates of Prayer. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the advantages of not sitting on the sidelines in today's housing market. Lesha Nugent-Freeland, a second-generation Realtor, highlights the affordability of buying a house in metropolitan New Orleans, despite high insurance and interest rates. She advises clients to focus on the house rather than the interest rate, as they can refinance when rates drop. Nugent-Freeland also mentions the historical perspective of higher interest rates in the past and encourages buyers to take advantage of the current market. However, she acknowledges that buyers may face more competition due to limited inventory. The article also mentions the efforts of the state legislature to address insurance availability and the changes in flood risk rating by FEMA. Jefferson Parish has implemented new permitting requirements for roofs to comply with stronger building codes and provide statistical information to insurance companies. Overall, the article suggests that buying a house now can put individuals in a better position in the market. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the challenges faced by Mitchell Mintz, owner of a furniture store in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina. Mintz and his family evacuated to Dallas, and their store suffered severe damage. Despite the difficulties, they reopened the store and expanded their display space to meet the high demand for replacement furniture. The article also highlights the company's commitment to the community through involvement in various philanthropic organizations. Additionally, the article mentions Bridget Sikora, a real estate agent in Birmingham, who has successfully navigated a low-inventory market through community involvement and volunteerism. She has been able to secure high prices for seller clients and has been appointed as the director of relocation for her agency. [Extracted from the article]

The Station at Crestline Heights is a new upscale apartment community located near the Levite Jewish Community Center (LJCC) in Crestline. The community offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including luxury executive and junior executive units with European gourmet-style kitchens. Amenities include a saltwater pool, rooftop lounge, fitness and wellness studio, gourmet coffee bar, conference room, electric charging stations, dog park, and pet spa. The community is currently leasing the first building and pre-leasing the others, with phased-in openings for a total of 270 units throughout 2024. The location is convenient for those who want luxury living without the hassle of maintenance or yard work. [Extracted from the article]

Goldielox is a web-based business that sells a Jewish-themed Mahjong set called Menschie Mahjong. The entrepreneur behind the company, Vivien Judson, was inspired by the concept of l'dor v'dor (from generation to generation) and her family's love of Mahjong. The set features symbolic Judaica, such as an olive branch, cracked matzo, dreidels, pomegranates, glasses of wine, and jokers that are bubbies with matzah ball soup. Goldielox also sells other related products, including t-shirts and a signature Bubbie hoodie. Judson hopes to pass on the love of Mahjong to future generations. [Extracted from the article]