News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

When Miami and Yerucham – a town in Israel’s Negev Desert – formed a partnership in 2007, one of the goals was for people of all ages to share information, ideas and experiences that would enrich the lives of residents of each community.

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, for the first time ever, the Young Leadership Division of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will host the hottest event of the year for Jewish young professionals – The Legendary Event, a night of philanthropy featuring a DJ set with hit recording artist Matisyahu.

This summer, many Israelis experienced the terror of rocket attacks for the very first time as a result of Hamas’ ability to fire rockets deeper into Israel from Gaza. Even Yerucham, Miami’s partnership city in the Negev Desert, was not immune; several Red Alert sirens sounded there, sending residents scrambling to the community’s few usable shelters.

While there is a temporary ceasefire in place, thousands of Israeli citizens continue to be traumatized by Red Alert sirens, the discovery of an extensive labyrinth of underground Hamas tunnels – many under Israeli communities – and the physical damage to homes, schools and businesses.

More than a quarter century after the founding of the March of the Living, an innovative Holocaust education program for high school students, its organizers are re-examining the iconic journey to Poland and Israel and adapting new ways to make it relevant for a new generation of young Jews.

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.