News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

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.

Eighteen mayors and community leaders came together yesterday for the fourth annual Miami-Dade Mayors' Press Conference Against Antisemitism, organized by Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).

Tickets are going fast for The Main Event, Federation’s largest annual fundraising evening, taking place Sunday, February 1, 2026 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Friends and allies of Jewish Miami will come together to stand strong for Israel and the Jewish people.

Make a donation to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign to demonstrate your support of Israel and Jewish people around the world.

Your donations to Federation are enabling spouses and children of fallen IDF soldiers to receive essential psychiatric care. While Israel’s Ministry of Defense provides limited psychological support, there is no state coverage for the psychiatric needs of military families.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its JCRC and RAGM horrified and saddened by the mass shooting at Hanukkah event in Sydney

Share your voice and help shape the future of Jewish well-being! BeWell, the Jewish community’s national effort to promote the importance of mental health among young people, is conducting a survey of Jewish parents of adolescents ages 12-19.

A better tomorrow starts today with your support of the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign. While the calendar year is ending, the needs of Jews in Miami, in Israel and around the world will continue and as always, Federation will be there to help.

“It’s a reminder that love always rises,” said Debbie Mendal, Founder of the Federation-funded Kallah Project, referencing the contribution of a wedding gown for a former Israeli hostage.

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

Your donation to Federation helps provide one-on-one early intervention therapies for Israeli infants with disabilities and those who love them.

As 2025 comes to a close, your generosity helps the Greater Miami Jewish Federation enter 2026 ready to support Jewish needs everywhere. We’re Jewish Miami Proud because this year — like always — we’ve stood beside the people of Israel, fought against global antisemitism, secured our Jewish institutions, assisted the vulnerable and empowered the next generation of Jewish Miami to lead our community into the future.