News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

“Visiting different communities in Israel opened up an entirely new world for me regarding the struggles and practices of Jewish people in other parts of the world,” said Taglit-Birthright Israel participant Sam Rynor.

Teens Advocating Together, an ongoing partnership between Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the NAACP, was recognized for its impact by the Miami-Dade County School Board earlier this month.

As the war rages on between Russia and Ukraine, Federation’s overseas partners are providing vital services to those who cannot leave the country, and that includes educational support for school-aged children in Ukraine.

July is Disability Pride Month and Federation’s Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) offers resources to help celebrate and support Jewish Miamians with disabilities. With more than one in four adults — 70+ million people — disabled in the US, Disability Pride Month is a time to affirm that disabilities are a natural and valuable part of human diversity by promoting inclusion throughout the community.

It’s been a busy summer for the Federation Volunteer Center (FVC), which has been collaborating with numerous community partners and engaging hundreds of Jewish Miamians in hands-on service projects.

Last week, leaders from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation joined other senior volunteers and professionals for the annual Jewish Federations of North America campaign mission, this time in Paris, France.

Global events are shaking our world, from the war in Israel and terrorist attacks to ongoing antisemitism, and it can be challenging to explain the pain and complexity of these events to the children we love.

For years, Federation’s partner, the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), has provided emotional support for Israelis in the aftermath of terror attacks, so the nonprofit was able to quickly assist thousands during the recent war with Iran.

June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season and Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) is here to help in case a storm threatens. You can join the 2025 JVC Emergency Response Team (JVERT) to support our community if a disaster strikes.

“Thanks to Leket Israel, many families who don’t have the ability to put food in their refrigerators can prepare meals or peel a fruit or send their child to school with dignity,” said Netanela, a single mom and client of Israel’s national food bank.

Diller Teen Fellows, a pluralistic and immersive leadership program that invites a select group of Jewish teens to step up, lead their communities and repair the world, is now accepting applications for their next cohort that will take place during the academic year 2023-2024.

June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season and Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) is here to help in case a storm threatens. You can join the 2023 JVC Emergency Response Team (JVERT) to support our community if a disaster strikes.

More than 1,500 young Israeli shlichim (emissaries) are working in Jewish overnight camps across North America this summer as part of the Summer Shlichut Project, a program of Federation overseas partner The Jewish Agency for Israel.

IsraelNow, an immersive travel experience acquainting eighth graders with Israel, is accepting applications through September 28 for its third cohort, March 25-April 2, 2024, for travel during Miami-Dade County Spring Break.

Following the June 6 bombing of Ukraine’s Kakhovka Hydroelectric Dam, the city of Kherson experienced extensive flooding, and Federation overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) immediately jumped into action to help local residents.

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) recently launched a new podcast, “The Glue With Eric Fingerhut.” In these complicated times, when we are challenged by polarization, partisanship, rapid technological change and social transition, strengthening our social bonds is more important than ever.

In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, the Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) and Michael-Ann Russell JCC present a special showing of MJFF 2023 Critics Prize Winner America.

“My wife, Nadine, and I have so much to be thankful for, and we feel a responsibility to give back to our community. And, it begins with Jews helping Jews,” said Steve Foldes, immediate Past Chair of The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.