News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

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.

As communities across Israel struggle to recover from Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks of October 7, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is partnering with one affected kibbutz to provide vital financial and emotional support.

Next weekend’s Yom HaShoah observance is a chance to stand in solidarity with your Miami community, 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.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) stand in solidarity with Jewish college students across the country who are being targeted on campus simply because they are Jewish or because they believe that Israel has the right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people.

Despite the ongoing hostilities in northern Israel, a significant agricultural loss and a substantial portion of the country’s population remaining displaced, Leket Israel has continued its critical work of feeding thousands of Israelis during Passover.

In an effort to shine a light on Mental Health Awareness Month, Federation’s BeWell Miami is organizing Wellness Shabbat, a collaboration between Miami Dade synagogues and organizations over the course of the five Shabbatot in May.

You may be surprised to learn that The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is the single largest contributor to the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign. This year, The Foundation will contribute $3.1 million to the Annual Campaign, thanks to the careful consideration of more than 100 generous donors who created endowed gifts by including Federation in their estate plans or through retirement funds, insurance policies or lifetime gifts.

Dedicated to making Jewish holidays and traditions meaningful and accessible, Federation is sharing a number of resources that families can use this Passover. Through the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, Federation provides year-round funding to PJ Library, which sends free Jewish-themed books monthly to Miami-Dade children and also hosts fun and engaging family-oriented holiday programs.

The Saul Schottenstein Foundation is once again helping individuals and families in our Jewish community facing food insecurity with a powerful act of tzedakah.

Join your community in observance of Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day — on Sunday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach. At this difficult time for the Jewish people, having endured historic assaults on our homeland of Israel, from the horrors of October 7 to the unprecedented attacks by Iran, we will come together to remember the lessons of history, memorialize the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered during the Holocaust and honor the Survivors.

A highlight of Federation’s Annual Meeting is the presentation of leadership awards, and this year’s event will honor six deserving community volunteers on Thursday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the Jungle Island Ballroom.

The idea of living in a hotel may sound like a 24/7 vacation, but that is far from the truth for displaced older adults forced to abandon their homes for hotels in the aftermath of October 7.

Jewish Federations condemn Iran's attacks against Israel—the first by a sovereign nation since Saddam Hussein launched scud missiles at Israel in 1991—in the strongest possible terms.

Immediately following the horrors of October 7, Federation beneficiary agency Beit Issie Shapiro expanded its work to help Israelis with and without disabilities who are struggling to rebuild their lives.

This Passover, Federation beneficiary Yodeah is encouraging everyone to add a test tube to their seder plate to celebrate the scientific advances that help free us from the plagues of our time.

What is trauma? Is it environmental? Is it genetic? Or is it both? These questions, and more, will be explored at the 28th Annual Ministering to the Elderly Conference, “Transforming Intergenerational Trauma Into Healing,” on Thursday, May 9.