News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

With all that is happening on today’s college campuses, coming together as a Jewish community is more important than ever — and Hillel International provides a home away from home for more than 170,000 Jewish college students on nearly 1,000 campuses.

Since the atrocities of October 7, Israelis are facing indescribable trauma and uncertainty, which is why Federation overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) “quiet room” initiative in evacuees’ hotels is so helpful.

Federation, in collaboration with local and prominent voices, has been publishing stories on social media that celebrate the strength and breadth of our community and values. Partners created individual reels discussing their Jewish journeys, how their Jewish values and belief systems shaped their lives and influential Jewish leaders they admire.

Pain. Fortitude. Resilience. Participants in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s eighth and most recent Solidarity Mission to Israel returned time and again to these themes as they visited with Israelis during the week of Yom Ha’Zikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day).

Time is running out to join our Jewish community for the 86th Annual Meeting on May 30 at 5:30 p.m., when the 2024-2025 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors will be installed during a very special program.

As our global Jewish community faces historic antisemitism, now is the time to come together and stand strong as one united people at Federation’s 86th Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jungle Island Ballroom.

Passing on our most precious values is part of Jewish tradition and those who support the needs of the Jewish community now have another way to do just that. The new Lion Behind the Pin project, offered by Women’s Philanthropy and The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, includes an easy-to-use kit that helps a Lion of Judah — a philanthropic woman donating $5,000 or more yearly to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign — to designate her Lion pin to an individual who will, preferably, become a Lion of Judah someday and wear the pin with pride.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation continues to prioritize the support of women and girls in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attacks, this time, in partnership with other nonprofit organizations through the Jewish Women’s Collective Response Fund.

Yesterday, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) released a statement regarding the Biden Administration’s threat to withhold certain Congressionally approved military aid to Israel.

Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, which honors Israel’s fallen soldiers, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, take on an even greater meaning this year.

As we approach Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, it is critical to recognize that grief has touched nearly every home in Israel since October 7. In response, Federation has significantly increased funding for services that support bereaved families, through both our Annual Federation/UJA Campaign and our Israel Emergency Fund, which has raised more than $29 million to date.

Bear witness to the systematic and horrific accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during their October 7 terrorist attacks at a special screening of Screams Before Silence, the new documentary by Jewish philanthropist and activist Sheryl Sandberg.

With her new documentary, Screams Before Silence, former Chief Operating Officer of Meta Sheryl Sandberg is bringing attention to the rampant and horrific accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during their October 7 terrorist attacks. The hour-long film provides first-hand accounts from survivors, freed hostages, first responders, and legal, medical and forensic experts.

The Last Ones, a multidimensional project incorporating video, podcasts, books and more, received a Federation grant to further its mission of creating a link between the last living Holocaust Survivors and younger generations.

Attention, college and graduate students! The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation wants to help fund your education. Jewish undergraduate and graduate students in need of financial assistance can receive help through the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program.

Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, which honors Israel’s fallen soldiers, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, take on an even greater meaning in 5784.

Never Again is NOW! This Sunday, May 5, come together with your Miami community to pay tribute to the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered during the Holocaust and honor the strength and courage of the Survivors.

Register now to attend Federation's 86th Annual Meeting, chaired by Debbie and David Mendal, on Thursday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m. During this important event at the Jungle Island Ballroom, Federation will install our 2024-2025 Board of Directors, Trustees, Leadership Council and Council of Jewish Organizations, including incoming Chair of the Board Lily Serviansky and incoming General Campaign Chair Mojdeh Khaghan Danial. Outgoing Board Chair Ariel Bentata also will be thanked for his longstanding commitment to the Jewish people.