This New Year, Deepen Your Involvement in Your Jewish Community
The Days of Awe, the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are a time of reflection and soul searching. We ask ourselves, “Have I been the person I aspire to be? Have I have done enough this past year to help my family, my friends, my neighbors and my Jewish community?” If any of us feel we have fallen short of our own expectations, luckily each New Year brings opportunities to recommit ourselves to the mitzvah of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Through volunteering, advocacy, charitable giving and more, we can improve the lives of people in need; and, as many studies show, helping others is not only beneficial to those who receive aid, but is good for the soul and spirit of the one who is the server.
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation provides you with many opportunities to make this kind of difference and encourages you to contribute, get involved, and have a positive impact on your Jewish world.
One way to make a difference is to donate a gift of any size to Federation. You gift helps support vital humanitarian, educational and social-service programs in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries worldwide. These programs are at work 365 days a year, and in times of crisis.
For example, this past summer as thousands of Israelis huddled together, terrified in bomb shelters and Jews everywhere prayed for the Hamas rocket attacks to end, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its overseas partners were busy providing humanitarian aid to affected Israelis. The reality is that Federation’s overseas partners were able to respond to Jewish needs the day after rockets started falling in Israel, because Federation was on the ground in Israel the day before.
Federation-funded agencies know the communities in Israel… the names and needs of the people who live there. They know who participates in Federation programs and who receives Federation services… and they knew who would need extra help during this crisis. And because the local families knew Federation and its partners, they also trusted these agencies to take their children out of harm’s way.
This year Federation is urging, more than ever, 100% Community participation.
“100% Community” is an effort to have every single member of Miami’s Jewish community take part in Federation’s Annual Campaign with a gift of any size. By joining us as a part of our 100%, you’re showing you want to be counted. You’re showing you care. You’re showing you want your voice heard in Tallahassee and Washington. To learn more – and to make a gift – visit JewishMiami.org/100percent or call 305.576.4000.
Along with making a donation, Federation offers other wonderful ways for you to engage.
VOLUNTEER: As the central clearinghouse for volunteerism in Miami’s Jewish community, Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) matches individuals, families and groups to opportunities for hands-on involvement with a wide variety of local nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact the JVC at [email protected] or 786.866.8486.
JOIN US: Federation brings our community together at inspiring and meaningful events year-round for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests. To find out what’s coming up, visit JewishMiami.orgor call 305.576.4000.
STAY UPDATED: Visit JewishMiami.org and sign up to receive The Community Post, our online Jewish newspaper. Follow Federation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ADVOCATE: Get involved with Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and learn how to speak out about Israel and other issues of importance to the Jewish people. Visit facebook.com/JCRC.GMJF or contact the JCRC at [email protected] or 786.866.8486.
Show your support of Israel by participating in these important activities:
VISIT ISRAEL: Federation organizes meaningful and memorable missions that present a unique, insider’s view of Israel while also demonstrating how community-funded programs make a difference in the lives of Israelis every day. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 786.866.8436.
SEND YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO ISRAEL: Help new generations love Israel by encouraging them to participate in Israel experiences like Taglit-Birthright Israel, the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, the March of the Living and more. Information about the programs and available scholarships is on JewishMiami.org, or call 305.576.4000.
STAY INFORMED: Visit these websites:
Greater Miami Jewish Federation – JewishMiami.org
The Jewish Federations of North America – JewishFederations.org
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs – mfa.gov.il
THANK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS: Contact U.S. Senators and Representatives, as well as state officials, to thank them for supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and measures that ensure Israel’s safety. Urge them to continue such support in the months ahead. For a list of legislators and other critical information, contact Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) at [email protected] or 786.866.8486, or visit facebook.com/JCRC.GMJF.
ADVOCATE: Know the facts. Respond to local coverage if it is unfair or imbalanced by using CAMERA’s “How to Recognize Unfair Reporting” at camera.org.
BUY ISRAELI PRODUCTS: For a partial list of websites, visit facebook.com/JCRC.GMJF.
