News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

After a scared and lonely two months following the attacks of October 7, Yehuda, a bespectacled Israeli boy impacted by epilepsy, was able to rejoin his group therapy, thanks to an empowering gift from Simcha Layeled.

“We were in trauma and mourning. Who could think about a business?” said Osi Glick, who was forced to abandon her home and her women’s clothing store in Netivot after escaping the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on her community near the Gaza border.

Twenty-seven percent of Americans have a disability of some kind and Federation's Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) is bringing issues of equal access to the forefront during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM).

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) are gratified that the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) provisional ruling this morning (Jan. 26) did not call for an immediate ceasefire, recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense.

As we stand in solidarity with Israel at this critical time, Federation is delighted to welcome Guest of Honor Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog to The Main Event on Sunday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach.

Federation is committed to making the Jewish overnight summer camp experience accessible to all children. Shabbatot by the campfire, havdalah under the stars, competitive color wars and rikkud (dance) sessions are a few of the fun and creative ways campers can explore the many facets of their Jewish identity.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Sunday, February 18 at the Loews Miami Beach. Plus, join your Jewish community as we honor Federation President and CEO Jacob Solomon with the Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award on the occasion of his retirement after more than 42 years of service.

“We are here today because we are hurting … because we need each other… because we are Jews … because we want to do something … because, together, we CAN do something.” These powerful words from Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Amanda Adler were the reason more than 500 of Miami’s most generous Jewish women gathered this past Tuesday for the Lion of Judah Event.Chaired by Jill Schwartz, the event marked 109 days since Hamas’ brutal attack and focused on Federation’s vital ongoing response.

“Being in Israel right now is like attending a national shiva,” said Federation General Campaign Chair Lily Serviansky in reference to attending the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s most recent, and fourth, Solidarity Mission since October 7. “For a few days, we were able to join them in their pain and sorrow. You hear that everything changed

“This has been an incredible week of healing and connecting with our Miami Jewish community,” said Brothers for Life (BFL) Co-Founder Rabbi Chaim Levine, affirming that the 12 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) veterans who arrived here Monday benefited from their visit. “It takes a whole community to help an injured soldier.”

A lifelong resident of Western Massachusetts, Ruth Weiss later owned a second home in Key Biscayne, and demonstrated her love and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people through annual donations to the Jewish Federations in both communities.

“This year, we definitely looked at the grant allotments through a different lens,” said Ilene Kossman, Chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Women’s Amutot Initiative Committee, regarding the 2024 funding awarded to organizations in Israel that help women thrive and succeed.

Join the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in a momentous celebration of Jewish community and solidarity with Israel at The Main Event on Sunday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach.

When Hamas terrorists surrounded his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, Shlomo Ron, z”l, gave his own life so that his family could live. In baiting the terrorists so they would not search for his wife, their two daughters and a grandson who hid in their safe room, 85-year-old Ron sacrificed himself and enabled his family to survive.

Federation continues to prioritize the needs of women and girls through the ninth cycle of the Women’s Impact Initiative grants.

“Aliyah [immigration to Israel] in these times is another expression of the partnership of world Jewry in building, and now in rebuilding, the State of Israel,” said Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of Federation overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel.

Since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, thousands of Israeli lives have been upended and the country’s economy has been in turmoil. More than 360,000 reservists were called to active duty during the ongoing conflict, away from their jobs and families.

“We have accessible bathrooms, showers, bedrooms. What we didn’t have is all the equipment for the people who came from their houses with nothing,” said Rachel Cohen, Project Manager at Beit Hagalgalim, a center for learning in Herzliya that is offering housing for people with disabilities who had to flee Israel’s south after October 7.