News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Ahead of the Fourth of July, clients of Jewish Community Services (JCS) Kosher Food Bank are receiving grocery gift cards along with their regular food packages, thanks to the ongoing generosity of a group of Federation donors.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has established an Emergency Relief Fund to assist individuals impacted by the Venezuela Earthquakes. Following powerful back-to-back earthquakes near the capital of Caracas on Wednesday, June 24 — among the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in its history — Venezuela has declared a national state of emergency.

This summer, more than 800 Israeli teens will receive much-needed respite through Campers2Gether, an initiative supported by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The program offers young Israelis impacted by October 7 and the ensuing hostilities a chance to connect with their Jewish peers in North America and Europe through meaningful summer camp experiences.

A diverse group of Greater Miami Jewish Federation staff members recently shared a life-changing journey through Israel, volunteering side by side and seeing our work up close.

During a time of alarming antisemitism and anti-Israel activities, Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) works year-round to advocate on behalf of the Jewish community and build bridges with others.

Jewish summer camp is underway and many of our community’s children and teens have been able to participate through Federation-funded scholarships. “I believe Jewish overnight summer camp gives young people the opportunity to live with their peers 24/7 in a vibrant Jewish environment,” said Diane Lipson Schilit (pictured here in her camp bunk in 1975), a Federation Board member who has created an endowment through The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Recognizing the unique challenges of Ethiopians olim (immigrants), one of Federation’s core areas of support is focused on programs that help this demographic acclimate to their new spiritual homeland in Israel.

If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed, sad or just need someone to talk to, Federation offers essential resources to help you cope. Federation’s primary social services partner, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, operates a 24-hour Access Line, 305.576.6550, with mental health support and trained professionals who can help you now and year-round.

As a meaningful way to celebrate Holocaust Survivor Day, the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach recently held a special luncheon honoring our community's survivors. More than a dozen survivors volunteer at the Memorial throughout the year, sharing their personal stories with tens of thousands of visitors of all ages.

With many northern Israeli students falling behind in their studies due to the stress of ongoing rockets attacks, a Federation-supported program has enabled them to complete the school year.

“I’ve loved every moment so far,” said Birthright Israel participant Dani Waijman, who arrived on Monday with a Miami cohort for 10 adventure-packed days in Israel. Birthright Israel, a partner of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, pairs diverse members of Jewish communities with their Israeli peers for a truly immersive experience.

In honor of May’s Jewish American Heritage Month and Haitian Heritage Month, Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) came together with our Haitian partners during Miami’s 10 Days of Connection.

Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) is seeking volunteers for the 2026 JVC Emergency Response Team (JVERT) to help others in our community in the event of a weather emergency. With eight to 14 named storms predicted for the current hurricane season, now is the time to prepare in case one threatens our area.

More than 250 members of Jewish Miami came together this week at the 88th Annual Meeting to honor and thank Lily Serviansky for two years of dedicated service as Board Chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Twenty-six Miami-area college students are having the experience of a lifetime in Israel right now during their eight-week Birthright Israel Onward internships.

The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach has awarded two graduate students with the Fruma and Murray Berger Scholarship in Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust. The annual award, created by Miami Beach resident Ralph S. Berger in memory of his parents who were Holocaust survivors and resistance fighters, recognizes outstanding student research in this critical field of study.

Your Miami Federation proudly celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) throughout May with several visible events across our community.

With Federation’s help, the entire Bnei Menashe community from northeast India will be making aliyah by 2030. Descended from the biblical tribe of Menashe, this remote Jewish population in Manipur and Mizoram has maintained its Jewish traditions and a fervent hope to return to the Jewish homeland.