News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is supporting 12 Jewish Miami organizations that encourage and inspire Jewish women and girls through the Women’s Impact Initiative.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) are disgusted and outraged by the playing of a “Heil Hitler” song at Vendôme, a Miami Beach nightclub, over the weekend — reportedly at the request of known virulently antisemitic influencers.

Do you or someone you know need help paying for college? JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund), a Federation partner agency, provides need-based, zero percent-interest loans for Jewish undergraduate, graduate and vocational students.

“Youth Futures helped me understand that I am the hero of my own story,” said Liat, a participant in the Federation-funded youth intervention program. Youth Futures Yerucham currently operates in four schools across our partner city in southern Israel.

Federation is strengthening Jewish identity and addressing community needs through our Jewish Incubator Grants Committee, which recently allocated $100,000 to 18 Miami organizations spearheading innovative programs.

If you're feeling the pain of higher than expected income taxes for 2025, a little planning today with The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation could prevent more headaches next year.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council are horrified and angered at the arson attack on Mississippi's Beth Israel Congregation, the state's oldest synagogue and a staple of the Jewish community.

Food insecurity is one of the greatest challenges facing older adults in our community, which is why Federation supports programs like the JCS Senior Ride Program. Between fixed incomes, the high cost of groceries and limited access to transportation, seniors often have difficulty putting nutritious food in their pantries.

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Volunteer Center and Jewish Community Relations Council during an intergenerational, interfaith day of hands-on volunteering on Monday​, January ​19.

Your donation to Federation is helping address the ongoing educational challenges in Northern Israel. The strain of prolonged war, ongoing security threats and increased socio-economic instability have severely compromised schools in the region, also leaving communities struggling with widespread trauma.

Twenty-four nonprofits will receive a total of more than $350,000 in grants from Federation’s Women’s Amutot Initiative (WAI) to advance social, economic, religious and political equality for Israeli women.

The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), the world’s largest Jewish and Israeli film festival, proudly returns for its 29th edition, running January 14-29, with its most expansive lineup to date. This year’s festival will present 139 films from 20 countries — including 105 features and 34 shorts — featuring more than 80 filmmakers, stars and special guests in attendance.

More than 300 people joined Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center to make the holiday season brighter for others across our community. During the 18th Annual Season for Giving, Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy sorted and packed toys for mothers and children at Lotus House and created collaged vision board frames with shelter residents.

Your Federation support is fueling innovative and essential treatment for Israelis traumatized by the recent war through HaGal Sheli (My Wave) surf therapy. The decade-old program is opening a new center on Zikim Beach near the Gaza border where, noted HaGal Sheli CEO Yarom Waksman, “the pain from October 7 is still raw, where 19 lives were brutally taken away.”

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. Being away from friends and family, complicated relationships, financial difficulties and other challenges can weigh on one’s mind, particularly during the holiday season.

There’s still time this year to donate to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign and help ensure a better and brighter 2026 for our Jewish family.

Recognizing the unique challenges of those who have immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia, Federation supports programs that help them acclimate to our spiritual homeland.

As an estate-planning attorney who helps her clients make a difference through charitable giving, Laura Lavie recently created her own legacy through The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.