Parenting

PJ Library

Give your child the gift of reading, while acquainting him or her with Jewish customs, beliefs and values. PJ Library provides free Jewish-content books and music for kids, ages eight and younger, in Miami-Dade County. Participating parents and children also receive invitations to story-time sessions, concerts and other fun, age-appropriate events related to Jewish celebrations and heritage.

BeWell Miami Youth Mental Health Initiative

BeWell is a resource designed to educate, prepare and support the well-being of teens and young adults in Miami’s Jewish community. Click here to visit the site.

Gift of Israel Savings Program

Federation realizes the transformative effect a trip to Israel can have on an adolescent child, but also recognizes that the cost may provide a barrier to many families. The Gift of Israel Program, formerly Passport to Israel, is Federation’s solution. Beginning in 1st grade, families deposit $100 per year through 10th grade. The funds are then matched dollar-for-dollar by Federation and participating synagogues. When your child is ready to take his or her first trip to Israel, your investment, the matching grants and all accrued interest are dedicated to underwriting the cost of your child’s Israel trip. Click here for more information.

Scholarships

Jewish Day School Scholarships: Despite numerous benefits, tuition costs can be a challenge for many families. With that in mind, Federation provides Jewish day schools with supplemental funds to assist families still struggling after the initial scholarship process. Applications are available through individual schools.

Need-based Overnight Camp Scholarships: Let us make your child one happy camper. Federation helps provide need-based assistance for Jewish overnight summer camps to Miami-Dade County children, ages 8 to 17. Need-based scholarships are available only for Jewish overnight camps located in the United States and listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp website. Click here to find an eligible camp. 

For more information about day school and overnight camp scholarships, contact [email protected] or 786.866.8431.

Israel Program Scholarships: Jewish teens and young adults who experience Israel develop more meaningful connections to the Jewish community. As part of our commitment to building a stronger Jewish future, Federation offers a one-time only, need-based scholarship for Miami-Dade County residents ages 15 to 26. Scholarships are awarded based on need and length of an approved Israel program, which must be a minimum of three weeks in duration. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities for Bar/Bat Mitzvah Teens

Is your B’nai Mitzvah son or daughter looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? Encourage them to improve the quality of life for a Holocaust Survivor by becoming a Young Lion of Judah. Organized by Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) and the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, Young Lion of Judah offers the opportunity for students to be paired with a local Holocaust Survivor, build a new friendship and learn to tell their story to ensure that even after they are gone, they are not forgotten. Additional hands-on volunteer opportunities can provide 10 hours of community service credits.