News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, along with her extended family, joined 800 volunteers from across Miami for the US kickoff of Good Deeds Day this past Sunday. Created by Arison in Israel 20 years ago, Good Deeds Day has become a global movement, now involving 115 countries worldwide.

Forever committed to Jewish Miami, Ariela and Gary Mars have endowed their Annual Federation Campaign gift through The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, making them Forever Pacesetters.

Stand Jewish Miami Proud with Israel at communitywide events honoring Israel’s fallen heroes and victims of terror and celebrating the 78th Israeli Independence Day. Show your support at this challenging time for our spiritual homeland and the Jewish people worldwide by participating in commemorations throughout Miami.

Young athletes from across Jewish Miami recently took to the field of the Miami Beach JCC for a Flag Football Tournament in memory of Yerucham’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

As Iranian airstrikes continue to rain down on Israel, Federation is helping impacted families with emergency housing and critical support through All the Way Home (Ad Habayit).

Join the US kick-off of International Good Deeds Day right here in Miami, this Sunday, April 12! Just a few spots remain available to volunteer locally on Good Deeds Day, an event started 20 years ago by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison and today involving communities across North America and 115 countries worldwide.

Jewish college and university students have until May 31 to apply for a 2026 Sylvia Tuman Scholarship. Administered by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program provides a limited number of grants to Jewish students in need of financial assistance.

Despite the ongoing war, new olim (immigrants) continue to arrive in Israel, turning a moment of conflict into one of purpose and belonging. Since the start of the war approximately six weeks ago, roughly 200 individuals have made aliyah, including 40 from North America.

With Women's History Month ending, The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation pays tribute to Miami’s own Mikki Futernick, who made history by creating the International Lion of Judah Endowment Program in 1992.

Clients of Jewish Community Services Kosher Food Bank received some extra help ahead of Passover, thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Saul Schottenstein Foundation. Prior to Pesach, individuals and families facing food insecurity in Jewish Miami were given grocery gift cards along with their regular food packages.

As missile attacks across Israel continue, Federation partners have expanded emergency operations to help hard-hit cities like Dimona and Arad, which suffered large-scale impacts that left hundreds injured.

As the war with Iran continues to disrupt daily life across Israel, Federation and our longtime partner, Leket Israel, are working to ensure that no Israeli is left without food, especially at Passover.

The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach brings Holocaust education into the 21st century with the Grand Opening of its state-of-the-art Education Center. Memorial and Education Center Founders Norman Braman, Ezra Katz, Matan Benaviv and Jessica Katz; Holocaust survivors; descendants of survivors; elected officials and other dignitaries came together for last Sunday’s ribbon-cutting, with the community touring the facility afterwards.

Thank you, Jewish Miami! Federation’s Super Sunday phonathon raised more than $850,000 from over 700 generous donors to support those in need in our community, in Israel and around the world.

As missiles and rockets continue to fall across Israel, displacing and traumatizing thousands, Federation is providing critical emotional support and counseling not only to Israeli citizens, but also to the professionals caring for them.

“Give me a staff filled with Ike Hellers and we’ll change the world,” said Federation President & CEO Emeritus Jacob Solomon at the recent dedication of the Ike Heller Educational Building at Landow Jewish Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

Join Jewish Miami’s largest day of service, Good Deeds Day, on Sunday April 12! The community-wide celebration of kindness, service and impact is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

“Our preparedness in safeguarding the Jewish community isn’t predicated on a single event or conflict,” said James Somohano, Director of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Office of Community Security (OCS).