More than 700 members of Miami’s Jewish community enjoyed an exhilarating journey to and throughout Israel as part of the historic Greater Miami Jewish Federation Miami Mega Mission April 22-May 1 – the largest Jewish Federation mission to Israel in more than a decade. From commemorations of Yom Ha’Zikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) to celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day), from ceremonies at Yad Vashem and atop Masada to concerts at the Israel Museum and Beit She’an Archaeological Park, mission participants shared in a variety of emotional and inspiring experiences from sunup to long past sundown. Chaired by Saby Behar, the Miami Mega Mission also provided numerous opportunities for mission-goers to meet with Israeli leaders – including President Shimon Peres – IDF soldiers and residents of Miami’s partnership communities of Yerucham and Pardes Channa-Karkur.
This summer, the Jewish Volunteer Center of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will be offering a wide range of service programs for teenagers ages 12 through 18 as a part of the new Teen Summer of Service program. Teenagers will have the opportunity to assist the elderly, serve as assistant teachers, provide food to those in need, work at summer camps, or even travel to Boston, Chicago, DC or Israel.
“Transitions in Life and Beyond” is the theme of the 17th Annual Conference on Ministering to the Elderly, being presented by The Jewish Chaplaincy Program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, in collaboration with Miami Jewish Health Systems and Jewish Community Services of South Florida, taking place on May 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 5200 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami.
On Tuesday, April 24, participants in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Miami Mega Mission Israel 2012 will have the opportunity to commemorate Yom Ha’Zikaron with their Israeli brothers and sisters. After meeting and having dinner with soldiers at an IDF base, mission-goers will join in on a moving memorial ceremony, followed by a one-minute siren that blares across Israel at 8 p.m.
Just 1 day remains until Sunday, April 22, the day the El Al charter plane departs Miami International Airport, taking 400 Miami Mega Mission participants to Israel – and joining more than 300 more in our spiritual homeland for the journey of a lifetime.
Five outstanding leaders will be honored for their service to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and to Miami’s Jewish community when Federation presents its annual leadership awards at its 74th Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 31.
Aranka Siegal, a novelist and recipient of the Newbery Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, will share her experiences as a Holocaust survivor on the evening of Sunday, April 15 in observance of Yom HaShoah. Hundreds of members of our community will come together at the Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to honor the memory of the six million Jewish people who perished at the hands of the Nazis and pay tribute to those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust.
For thousands of years, Jewish people have reached out to offer extra support to those in need during Passover. During this time of year, as we remember our past and share our heritage with the next generation, Federation would like you to consider making a gift to ensure our Jewish future.
Last week, employees from the Residences at the Ritz Carlton in Coconut Grove and several of their vendors spent hours volunteering at the Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Together, they landscaped the area surrounding the educational center of the Memorial and helped clean up the grounds of this community landmark.
Nearly 500 volunteers gathered at Federation’s Stanley C. Myers Building on March 18, calling thousands of households across Miami-Dade County on Super Sunday, the Jewish community’s largest annual phonathon. By the end of the 12-hour event, more than $565,000 in pledges and gifts had been raised from more than 1,300 donors across the county.
Shauna Gamsey, a University of Florida alumna, spent the summer of 2009 in Israel on a Birthright trip, she was determined to find a way back to the country she had come to love. Shauna was able to return to Israel as a volunteer. This time, she found herself in Yerucham, one of Miami’s partnership cities, located in the Negev desert.
The Dow Jones Industrial average is nearing 13,000 for the first time since May of 2008. Other averages have also seen remarkable highs in 2012, including the Standard and Poors, the Russell 2000, and the Nasdaq. With this exciting economic news, now is a great time to consider using appreciated securities to fund your philanthropy.
On Thursday, February 16, more than 1,000 people came together for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Main Event. This annual gala – chaired this year by Stephanie and Jules Trump – brings together many of Miami’s leading philanthropists to celebrate the strength of the Jewish community and Miami’s long-time connection with Israel. During the event, they also raise vital funds for people in need in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries around the world.
On Sunday, February 12, members of the community gathered to celebrate the topping out of the new Galbut Family Miami Beach Jewish Community Center. The highly anticipated community landmark, which began construction on July 14, 2011, was on display for the first time during the ceremony and hard hat tours.
Join hundreds of volunteers and bring your cell phone to make the call that’s timeless! This year’s Super Sunday phonathon, taking place on March 18, will be a fun-filled day, featuring blast-from-the-past music and entertainment alongside modern communication methods, including social media and texting.
This summer, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will lead a free, 10-day Taglit-Birthright Israel trip for members of Miami’s Jewish community who are between the ages of 22 and 26. Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15; those who have been waitlisted for registration in the past can register beginning at noon on Tuesday, February 14 at the Birthright Israel website. Due to the immense popularity of the trip, registration fills up fast – interested candidates are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.
On Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m., members of the Ben-Gurion Society will come together for an evening of celebration and community at the Moore Building, located at 4040 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami. The event will feature a cocktail reception, dancing and live entertainment.
The Attorneys’ Division of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation honored three leaders of the South Florida legal community during the 28th Annual Judicial Reception, held on Wednesday, January 18 at Jungle Island. The event drew an audience of more than 400 guests, including judges and lawyers from around Florida.
For Lucas Lowenstein, becoming a Bar Mitzvah meant more than becoming an official adult in the eyes of the Jewish community. It also provided the chance to share his passion for sports with other Jewish children.
