News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

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.

Our Greater Miami Jewish Federation family mourns the loss of Captain Itai Seif, z”l, a 24-year-old platoon commander in the Givati Brigade from our partnership city of Yerucham, who fell in combat in Northern Gaza.

For those in need of healing or inspiration, the Sabbath of Wholeness, a pastoral care experience presented by Federation’s Mishkan Miami in partnership with Baptist Hospital, is offered monthly on Zoom. The pre-Sabbath program, held 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every second Friday of the month, includes candle lighting and other Sabbath rituals, as well as songs, prayer and reflection.

The mental health and wellbeing of our nation’s youth is at a critical point, with increasing reports of online bullying, suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety. Recognizing the urgent need to elevate and empower Miami’s young adults and champion their mental wellness, Federation’s BeWell Miami and the Wellness Institute are bringing our community together for a Youth Mental Health Summit on Sunday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Jewish Leadership Academy.

On Sunday, February 18, Greater Miami Jewish Federation President and CEO Jacob Solomon was honored with the Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award in front of 1,400 people at The Main Event.

“We feel blessed and want to make sure we are leaving a vibrant Jewish community for our children, and life insurance was such an easy and reasonable way to do it,” said Michelle Ben-Aviv, who, along with her husband, Matan, was inspired to give to Federation through a unique Foundation program.