News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

In recent weeks, residents of the Negev desert community have been visited by participants from the Leo Martin March of the Living and the FIU Birthright Israel trip, and members of the senior class of Shaarei Bina-Torah Academy for Girls.

If you’re looking for a great way to promote your business and support Miami’s Jewish community, Federation’s Proud Business Partners program makes it easy to do both.

Discover a remarkable and life-changing volunteer opportunity to give educational assistance to children working toward academic achievement. The Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) are looking for educators, retired educators and volunteers with an education background to join the Educator Volunteer Network this summer.

Giving a child a trip to Israel is easier than you might think. The Gift of Israel Savings Program, created by Federation and participating synagogues, helps Miami-Dade County families start saving early for their child’s Israel experience while enjoying the benefit of matching-dollar grants from the community.

There’s still time to register for Federation’s 78th Annual Meeting, Wednesday, June 1 at Jungle Island. Don’t miss the opportunity to thank our outgoing Board Chair Robert G. Berrin, welcome our Board Chair-Elect Amy N. Dean, honor five outstanding leaders and celebrate our community’s many achievements over the past year.

From bearing witness to the despair of the Holocaust in Poland to joyful celebrations of Independence Day in Israel... That is what 100 Miami high school students are experiencing as part of the Leo Martin March of the Living (MOTL).

Attention, college students! Apply now to receive up to $5,000 in grants from the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program, administered by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Students must be enrolled or accepted into an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college or university in Miami-Dade or Broward counties. Deadline is May 31, so click here for details and to get started.

Our Federation hosted a delegation of Israeli Knesset members last week as part of its visit to select communities throughout the U.S. The goal was to increase their understanding of the organized American Jewish community, as well as the depth and breadth of Jewish communal life and the commitment of its members.

Mazel tov to five leaders whose commitment to Jewish life will be recognized at Federation’s 78th Annual Meeting on June 1. Join us as we present the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award to Matthew L. Adler and Sara Bejar, the Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award to Arnaud Karsenti and Shoshanna Suzy Wagner, and the Robert Russell Fellowship Award to Amir Gold. Click here to RSVP.

Special bonds were made between teens from Yerucham and Miami during the 10-day, Diller Teen Fellows of Miami Mifgash program. Yerucham teens were immersed in the local culture. Both the Israeli and American teens sharpened their leadership skills, learned about Jewish peoplehood and their Jewish identity. In July, the Miami group will visit Israel.

Generations of people joined together Sunday night at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, for its annual Yom HaShoah program. The more than 1,000 people in attendance honored Shoah survivors and remembered those who perished.

Outgoing Board Chair Robert G. Berrin will be honored for his service at Federation’s 78th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 1. The community will gather together to also welcome and install Board Chair-Elect Amy N. Dean and to elect and install Federation’s Officers, Board of Directors, Trustees and Leadership Council and Council of Jewish Organizations.

Last year, 10,000 hours of hands-on assistance was provided to community organizations from 2,500 volunteers through the Jewish Volunteer Center, equaling more than $230,000 in paid time. Help increase that number by volunteering with the Jewish Volunteer Center this month at North Dade Gives Back on Sunday, May 15 at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus.

Whether you are going through a difficult time in your life or wish to provide comfort to someone who is, Federation’s Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support is here for you. Mishkan Miami’s caring corps of Jewish chaplains, rabbis and trained volunteers work year-round to bring spiritual solace and joy to people who are lonely or ill. To learn more, call 786.866.8620 or email [email protected]. Click here to learn about the upcoming Ministering to the Elderly conference, sponsored by Mishkan Miami, Miami Jewish Health Systems and Jewish Community Services of South Florida.

Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers for the Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Observance on Sunday, May 1 at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach. Help out by welcoming event guests, assisting Holocaust survivors or reading aloud the names of those who perished in the Holocaust. For details about volunteer opportunities, as well as more about the event, click here.

As you enjoy Passover, the Festival of Freedom, may you be reminded of the many blessings in life and the power of a strong Jewish community. Thanks to your support of the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, thousands of people from all over the world have made aliyah (immigration to Israel) and are celebrating this Passover in freedom in Israel. Click here to watch this special video celebrating new beginnings. Happy Passover!

Mazel tov to our Jewish Volunteer Center’s 2016 Volunteers of the Year, Gary Simon and Felix Lichter, who were honored at this week’s Federation Board of Directors meeting.

In response to the devastating April 16 earthquake in Ecuador, which has killed hundreds and injured thousands, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is collecting funds to provide immediate support and relief to victims and their families. Click here to donate.