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Jun 18, 2025

South Floridians in Israel Staying in Touch

What started as a chat group of 35 at the onset of Operation Rising Lion for Miamians stranded in Israel has turned into an information network for hundreds from across South Florida. Launched by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Director, Dahlia Bendavid, who was in Israel prior to June 13, and Federation’s Israel Representative, Ofer Lichtig, the WhatsApp group grew quickly to involve Israel visitors from Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as families seeking information about their loved ones. In addition to regular check-ins on their location and mental and physical status, the members have discussed methods for returning home. “The WhatsApp group illustrates how Federation creates community when an unexpected issue happens," said Scott Bakal, a frequent traveler to Israel who participated in a Federation solidarity mission after October 7. Click here to read a Miami Herald story featuring Bendavid and Federation Board member Paul Kruss.

Join the Attorneys’ Division Mission to Israel

Join the Attorneys’ Division Mission to Israel

Attorneys, judges and other legal professionals from the Miami area are invited to join the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Attorneys’ Division for a unique and memorable mission to Israel designed especially for them.

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Yerucham Delegation Visits Jewish Miami

Yerucham Delegation Visits Jewish Miami

Federation welcomed a delegation from the award-winning Yerucham Science Center who came to share fun with science and technology at the three Miami-Dade JCCs.

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Inclusivity for the Very Youngest Israelis

Inclusivity for the Very Youngest Israelis

Federation-funded Beit Issie Shapiro is marking another milestone in disability inclusion with the opening of its Beit Raz campus, welcoming Israeli children from infants to age 3 with and without disabilities.

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Seeking Holocaust Survivor Childhood Songs

Seeking Holocaust Survivor Childhood Songs

The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach is seeking audio and video recordings of Holocaust Survivors singing songs from their childhood.

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