At Work in Miami
Culturally, geographically and demographically, Miami’s Jewish population is one of the most diverse in the U.S. For more than 70 years, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has worked to build community and enrich the quality of Jewish life in the Greater Miami area. From assisting the most vulnerable to supporting Jewish education to strengthening our connection with Israel – and more – Federation-funded programs are at work every day, helping Jewish people of all ages and backgrounds.
How far-reaching is this impact? Today, 1 in 8 people in Miami’s Jewish community receives some form of financial assistance from Federation and our local Partner Agencies.
The impact of a Federation gift last year:
- Our Jewish community’s 24-hour Access and Information hotline received 21,720 requests for assistance, including referrals, counseling, community resources and emergency aid. $217,445 in emergency assistance grants were provided to 316 individuals or families in need.
- More than half of the 4,532 students enrolled in Jewish day schools received scholarship assistance. For those students whose families still needed more help, Federation provided $275,000 in additional hardship scholarship assistance to enable 321 students to remain in day school.
- 37 interest-free loans, amounting to $56,140 for housing assistance, emergency needs, education, auto expenses, medical bills, Bar Mitzvah costs and credit card debt, were provided by the Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida.
- 410 Holocaust survivors in Miami-Dade County received personalized and comprehensive case management services through Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) to assist with coordinating care, obtaining benefits and ensuring they were able to safely live independently.
- There were 2,935 visits to the JCS Kosher Food Bank, serving more than 900 individuals and families. The number of new clients turning to the Food Bank for assistance also doubled.
- Through JCS home-delivered and congregate meal programs, 274,896 kosher meals were provided to homebound seniors, as well as those fed at one of four congregate meal sites throughout Miami-Dade County.
- ParnossahWorks Miami, our new community employment program, registered 274 jobseekers and helped over 50 people gain employment in the program’s first five months.
- Through the Jewish Community Centers, 138 children and young adults with special needs participated in a variety of inclusion programs, such as summer camp, afterschool care, pre-vocational training and daily-life skill development.
- Nearly 500 young adults from Miami participated in Israel Experience Programs, including: 313 who went on Taglit-Birthright Israel; 97 who received need-based Israel program scholarships; 50 who participated in Passport to Israel and 32 who attended Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Learn about our Partner Agencies.
