News from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Our Federation hosted a delegation of Israeli Knesset members last week as part of its visit to select communities throughout the U.S. The goal was to increase their understanding of the organized American Jewish community, as well as the depth and breadth of Jewish communal life and the commitment of its members.

Mazel tov to five leaders whose commitment to Jewish life will be recognized at Federation’s 78th Annual Meeting on June 1. Join us as we present the Stanley C. Myers Presidents’ Leadership Award to Matthew L. Adler and Sara Bejar, the Sandra C. Goldstein Young Leadership Award to Arnaud Karsenti and Shoshanna Suzy Wagner, and the Robert Russell Fellowship Award to Amir Gold. Click here to RSVP.

Attention, college students! Apply now to receive up to $5,000 in grants from the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program, administered by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Students must be enrolled or accepted into an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college or university in Miami-Dade or Broward counties. Deadline is May 31, so click here for details and to get started.

Special bonds were made between teens from Yerucham and Miami during the 10-day, Diller Teen Fellows of Miami Mifgash program. Yerucham teens were immersed in the local culture. Both the Israeli and American teens sharpened their leadership skills, learned about Jewish peoplehood and their Jewish identity. In July, the Miami group will visit Israel.

Outgoing Board Chair Robert G. Berrin will be honored for his service at Federation’s 78th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 1. The community will gather together to also welcome and install Board Chair-Elect Amy N. Dean and to elect and install Federation’s Officers, Board of Directors, Trustees and Leadership Council and Council of Jewish Organizations.

Generations of people joined together Sunday night at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, for its annual Yom HaShoah program. The more than 1,000 people in attendance honored Shoah survivors and remembered those who perished.

Last year, 10,000 hours of hands-on assistance was provided to community organizations from 2,500 volunteers through the Jewish Volunteer Center, equaling more than $230,000 in paid time. Help increase that number by volunteering with the Jewish Volunteer Center this month at North Dade Gives Back on Sunday, May 15 at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus.

Whether you are going through a difficult time in your life or wish to provide comfort to someone who is, Federation’s Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support is here for you. Mishkan Miami’s caring corps of Jewish chaplains, rabbis and trained volunteers work year-round to bring spiritual solace and joy to people who are lonely or ill. To learn more, call 786.866.8620 or email chaplaincy@gmjf.org. Click here to learn about the upcoming Ministering to the Elderly conference, sponsored by Mishkan Miami, Miami Jewish Health Systems and Jewish Community Services of South Florida.

Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers for the Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Observance on Sunday, May 1 at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach. Help out by welcoming event guests, assisting Holocaust survivors or reading aloud the names of those who perished in the Holocaust. For details about volunteer opportunities, as well as more about the event, click here.

As you enjoy Passover, the Festival of Freedom, may you be reminded of the many blessings in life and the power of a strong Jewish community. Thanks to your support of the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, thousands of people from all over the world have made aliyah (immigration to Israel) and are celebrating this Passover in freedom in Israel. Click here to watch this special video celebrating new beginnings. Happy Passover!

Mazel tov to our Jewish Volunteer Center’s 2016 Volunteers of the Year, Gary Simon and Felix Lichter, who were honored at this week’s Federation Board of Directors meeting.

In response to the devastating April 16 earthquake in Ecuador, which has killed hundreds and injured thousands, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is collecting funds to provide immediate support and relief to victims and their families. Click here to donate.

Nearly 60 people of different faiths gathered together on Wednesday to decry the evils of modern-day slavery at the Third Annual Advocacy Seder presented by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Human Trafficking Task Force.

As Jews in Israel prepare to celebrate Passover, Federation overseas partner Beit Issie Shapiro is ensuring that children with severe disabilities can participate in family seders.

Join our community for a very special Yom HaShoah Observance: From Holocaust to Homeland on Sunday, May 1 at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach. The program will honor those who survived the Holocaust, remember the six million who perished, stand with the people of Israel, and recognize the Israel Defense Forces and U.S. military who serve and protect our Jewish homeland and our country every day.

Kindergartener Emily Albert received a very special surprise recently when PJ Library, a global Jewish literacy program for children, made its 200,000^th Miami book delivery to her classroom at Pinecrest Elementary School.

Four Jewish leaders from Miami joined their peers from 50 other communities last week in New York for The Jewish Federations of North America’s first-ever mission to the United Nations, chaired by Saby Behar, a Past President of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

This summer, give your teen the chance to discover Israel through the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI). A partner agency of Federation, AMHSI is an accredited international study abroad, college-prep program where the land of Israel becomes a living classroom.