News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

The Florida legislature unanimously passed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism into law last week (HB 187).

Thursday, March 7 marked five months since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks and Federation has already sent six Israel solidarity missions. This last one took place February 26-28 with a delegation of 19 and was co-chaired by Joe Ackerman and Amanda Adler.

Reporting on the horrific accounts of gender-based violence committed by Hamas on October 7, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI), a longtime Federation partner, has stepped up as a leader in the field.

It has been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) continues to provide critical assistance to more than 41,000 Ukrainian Jews, as well as more than 15,000 Ukrainian Jewish refugees scattered around Europe.

Join your Jewish community in person at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day, our largest phonathon and volunteer program of the year. Taking place Sunday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day will bring together people of all ages to make phone calls on behalf of the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign, to raise vital funds for Jewish needs in Miami, in Israel and around the world.

Our Greater Miami Jewish Federation family mourns the loss of Captain Itai Seif, z”l, a 24-year-old platoon commander in the Givati Brigade from our partnership city of Yerucham, who fell in combat in Northern Gaza.

For those in need of healing or inspiration, the Sabbath of Wholeness, a pastoral care experience presented by Federation’s Mishkan Miami in partnership with Baptist Hospital, is offered monthly on Zoom. The pre-Sabbath program, held 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every second Friday of the month, includes candle lighting and other Sabbath rituals, as well as songs, prayer and reflection.

The mental health and wellbeing of our nation’s youth is at a critical point, with increasing reports of online bullying, suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety. Recognizing the urgent need to elevate and empower Miami’s young adults and champion their mental wellness, Federation’s BeWell Miami and the Wellness Institute are bringing our community together for a Youth Mental Health Summit on Sunday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Jewish Leadership Academy.

On Sunday, February 18, Greater Miami Jewish Federation President and CEO Jacob Solomon was honored with the Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award in front of 1,400 people at The Main Event.

“We feel blessed and want to make sure we are leaving a vibrant Jewish community for our children, and life insurance was such an easy and reasonable way to do it,” said Michelle Ben-Aviv, who, along with her husband, Matan, was inspired to give to Federation through a unique Foundation program.

For the first time in several years, volunteers will gather in person at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day, our largest phonathon and volunteer program of the year.

After surviving the horrific October 7 attack on Ofakim, Dudu and his mother, Esther, received much-needed spiritual support through Federation beneficiary The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), a beneficiary of Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund (IEF).

On Monday, the Senate passed a supplemental aid package that includes President Biden’s emergency funding request for Israel. Urge your House Member to support it, too. This bipartisan package includes $14.1 billion in emergency aid to Israel, including vital funding for defense systems like the Iron Dome and Arrow Missile Defense systems.

Imagine leaving the only home you’ve ever known to make aliyah to Israel and arrive shortly before the deadly Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7. Ethiopian olim (immigrants) like Simachew Beyene and his family have relied on support from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Israel Emergency Fund and our longtime overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel for a lifeline of critical services since the Israel-Hamas War began.

Exodus 22:24 decrees, “Thou shalt not exact interest from the needy among you.” Last week, Parashat Mishpatim reminded us that providing an interest-free loan is considered an even greater mitzvah than giving charity.

Looking for a fun and formative Jewish experience for your children this summer? Miami’s three Federation-supported Jewish community centers (JCCs) offer a number of summer camp opportunities for everyone from infants to high schoolers, including visual arts, performing arts, sports, teen travel and much more.

Last week, 21 men joined the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s fifth Solidary Mission to Israel and found the previously polarized nation now passionately united in a common goal: to win the ongoing war with Hamas.

“This is a poignant moment for our Jewish community,” said Federation Board Chair Ariel Bentata, on the upcoming retirement of Federation President and CEO Jacob Solomon, one of the longest-serving CEOs in the North American Federation system.