News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

“It has been my privilege to play a meaningful role in what became my lifetime passion, the strengthening of the Jewish people, the Jewish community and Israel,” said Norman Lipoff, a past Chair of The Foundation and a past Federation President.

The Israeli National Council for the Child recently recognized more than 19,000 children as victims of terrorism since October 7, including approximately 7,200 of whom are aged five years and younger.

Your voice matters for the future of Miami's Jewish community! In order to better understand the demographics and needs of Miami’s Jewish population, every 10 years the Greater Miami Jewish Federation commissions a community-wide study.

Israeli women comprise more than 50 percent of the micro and small business owners in the country. As entrepreneurs, they are particularly vulnerable when the economy falters in times of war, as many are single mothers and families relying on their business as their sole source of income.

Help share the joy of Passover with Holocaust Survivors and other older adults in our community by participating in Matzah Mitzvah on Sunday, April 7 at 9 a.m. The much-loved, family-favorite event will bring together hundreds of individuals to package and deliver Passover food and personal hygiene baskets to more than 450 Holocaust Survivors and homebound older adults.

Do you or someone you know need help paying for college? JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund), a Federation partner agency, provides zero-percent-interest loans for Jewish undergrad, graduate and vocational students who demonstrate need.

This summer, Campers2Gether will provide 1,500 Israeli teens impacted by the war with a much-needed break and a chance to experience the support of Jewish communities around the world. The new initiative, led by Federation partner The Jewish Agency for Israel, will help the teens reimagine their lives in a loving and less stressful environment.

Imagine being pregnant and your partner is called to serve in Gaza, or worse, they are wounded or fall in battle. This is the heartbreaking reality for many Israeli women living through the Israel-Hamas War.

Thanks to the commitment of 500 dedicated volunteers and more than 950 generous donors, this year’s Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day was a super success! Together, more than $1 million was raised for the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, supporting critical needs in Miami, in Israel and around the world.

Three nonprofits supported by Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund have been awarded Israel’s prestigious 2024 Genesis Prize. The $1 million prize is typically presented to an individual for their professional achievements, contributions to humanity and commitment to Jewish values.

A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Hillel International has found that just 33 percent of Jewish college students feel emotionally safe today, compared to 66 percent before the start of the Israel-Hamas War.

Make a difference in Israel and here at home by volunteering this weekend at the Super Sunday phonathon and Good Deeds Day, March 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Show your love and solidarity with Israel and its citizens next Friday, March 15 during Shabbat of Unity, organized by the Federation/Synagogue Relations Committee. On this special evening, synagogues throughout Miami-Dade County will host Shabbat dinners as a way to encourage their members, local friends and neighbors to find comfort in community.

The Florida legislature unanimously passed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism into law last week (HB 187).

Thursday, March 7 marked five months since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks and Federation has already sent six Israel solidarity missions. This last one took place February 26-28 with a delegation of 19 and was co-chaired by Joe Ackerman and Amanda Adler.

Reporting on the horrific accounts of gender-based violence committed by Hamas on October 7, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI), a longtime Federation partner, has stepped up as a leader in the field.

It has been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) continues to provide critical assistance to more than 41,000 Ukrainian Jews, as well as more than 15,000 Ukrainian Jewish refugees scattered around Europe.

Join your Jewish community in person at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day, our largest phonathon and volunteer program of the year. Taking place Sunday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day will bring together people of all ages to make phone calls on behalf of the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign, to raise vital funds for Jewish needs in Miami, in Israel and around the world.