News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Against a backdrop of geopolitical unrest, a war in Israel and rising anti-Semitism in Europe, our own Miami-Dade Jewish community has recently been alarmed by a series of criminal attacks, including the horrific murder of Rabbi Joseph Raksin this past weekend.

More than 3,500 Miamians of all faiths and backgrounds came together to demonstrate their support for Israel in its battle against Hamas terrorists during a Community Solidarity Rally, dubbed “Miami Unites for Israel,” on Thursday, July 31 at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s founding President, Stanley C. Myers, z”l, was a passionate advocate for Israel, and last week, his grandson and great-grandson demonstrated their support as well, by participating in a Solidarity Mission organized by The Jewish Federations of North America.

Imagine you are a 13-year-old, born and raised in Sderot, an Israeli community located less than a mile from Gaza. You’ve spent your entire life running to bomb shelters and away from terrorist rocket fire. You jump at the sound of a dropped object or a closing door – and you are not alone; an estimated 94 percent of Sderot children show symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Thousands of Miamians of all faiths and backgrounds came together to demonstrate their support for Israel in its battle against Hamas terrorists during a Community Solidarity Rally, dubbed “Miami Unites for Israel,” on Thursday, July 31.

As terrorist rockets rain down on Israel – putting more than 6 million citizens in harm’s way and damaging and destroying homes, schools and businesses – a group of Jewish leaders from Miami is also there, experiencing the tense situation firsthand.

On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, we express our shock and outrage at the anti-Semitic acts that took place in Miami-Dade County over the past several days.

As terrorist rockets rain down on Israel – putting more than 6 million citizens in harm’s way and damaging and destroying homes, schools and businesses – a group of Jewish leaders from Miami is also there, experiencing the tense situation firsthand.

As you may or may not know by now, the situation in Israel has escalated to the point where the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Protective Edge on Monday, July 7 with some 1,500 IDF reservists called up for active duty, with a further draft of some 40,000 approved. In the last 24 hours, sirens have sounded throughout Israel, including in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ra’anana and Jerusalem.

The Jewish Federations of North America condemn the brutal murder of 16-year-old Palestinian, Mohammed Abu Khdeir, and is appalled by the heinous nature of this crime. We commend the Israeli Police for the swift arrests, and have full confidence that the Israeli justice system will ensure that those responsible will be punished to the full extent of the law.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation joins the worldwide Jewish community, the State of Israel and all people of goodwill throughout the world in expressing our collective grief and outrage at the news of the killing of the three Israeli teens kidnapped 18 days ago.

Robert G. Berrin has been elected Chair of the Board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and Amy N. Dean is Federation’s new General Campaign Chair, effective July 1, 2014.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, our Jewish Community Relations Council and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami extend our heartfelt prayers on behalf of the families of 16-year-old Naftali Frenkel, 16-year-old Gilad Sha’ar and 19-year-old Eyal Yifrah, in hope for the speedy and safe return of their children, who have been kidnapped by Hamas.

At 4,700 square miles, the Negev Desert covers nearly 60 percent of Israel’s territory, yet is home to just eight percent of its population. Communities in this southern region have consistently lacked sufficient resources for residents, resulting in an ongoing exodus to amenities-rich, highly populated cities.

Discover the Negev Desert and its geological, cultural and historical treasures! Join other Jewish professionals and volunteers in Yerucham, the Federation's partnership community in Israel's Negev region.

Just before school let out and summer vacations began, 24 of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Youth Ambassadors gathered together for their spring “mini-mission,” where they learned about the work of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its partner agencies.

As has been widely reported in the media, flyers have been distributed in Donetsk, Ukraine, requiring Jews to “register with the Nationalities Commissioner and pay $50 or lose their citizenship and face deportation.”

The Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation offer our deepest condolences and support to the families of those senselessly murdered and injured on the afternoon of Sunday, April 13, 2014 outside the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom..