News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Holocaust survivors will join hundreds of local residents to commemorate one of the most tragic events in modern Jewish history, as the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, observes the 76th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, on Sunday, November 9, at 6 p.m.

The population of the Miami Jewish community has increased by 9 percent during the past decade, reversing about 30 years of decline, according to the 2014 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Population Study: A Portrait of the Miami Jewish Community released by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Over the summer, while all eyes were on Israel, the people of Ukraine continued to suffer through serious political instability.

As the scourge of terrorism and the resurgence of anti-Semitism once again threaten the citizenry of Israel and Jewish people worldwide, we sadly recall September 5, 1972.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Officers and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Steven Sotloff, the second American brutally murdered by ISIS, the Islamic State.

Israeli students and teachers are expected to return to their classrooms for the start of the new school year this Monday, September 1, following a tense and traumatic summer of Hamas rocket attacks and Red Alert sirens.

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.