News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

With tens of thousands of people dead and more than 1 million displaced by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, humanitarian organizations, including many Federation partners, are working diligently to help individuals and families affected by this heartbreaking situation.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Miami (HFLA) has increased personal loan amounts for Israel educational programs such as March of the Living and Alexander Muss High School in Israel.

More than four days after devastating earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, leaving more than 20,000 dead and 1 million displaced, we are still witnessing miraculous rescues of individuals being pulled from the rubble.

It’s not too late to register for The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, taking place on Monday, February 20 at the Loews Hotel Miami Beach! Chaired by Lesley Goldwasser and Jonathan Plutzik, the evening will honor Daniel Lewis, visionary philanthropist and venturous changemaker, champion of equity and social justice for all, steadfast friend of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide, with our 2023 Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award.

Miami’s three Jewish community centers (JCCs), beneficiaries of Federation's Annual Campaign, are now accepting registration for 2023 summer camp programs for children. The Alper JCC Miami in South Dade is offering Camp J Miami, June 19-August 4, for youngsters ages 6 weeks to 15 years old.

“Just a few hours ago, I was writing an email to my friends and colleagues from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to thank them for their support for the Fund for Victims of Terror. And then I opened the news to see a terrible terrorist attack in Jerusalem.”

In addition to their vital work in Israel, many of Federation’s partner organizations —supported by your donations to the Annual Campaign — are responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the surrounding region thanks to funding from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Ukraine Emergency Campaign.

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM). In the days and weeks ahead, numerous local and national organizations are offering programming to inform and educate participants of all ages and provide opportunities for advocacy.

Deputy Consul General of Israel for Florida Mike Driquez and members of the Miami-based Israeli Consulate staff helped serve more than 520 families at Federation's Free Kosher Food Distribution Drive-Thru last week.

With Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month beginning on February 1, Federation is honored to support the work of three vital Israeli organizations that address the needs of people with disabilities.

Federation continues to inspire and empower Jewish women and girls to improve our community and work toward social, economic, religious and political equality, this time through our Women’s Impact Initiative grants.

Holocaust Survivors who have yet to record video testimony of their Holocaust-era experiences are urged to participate in the Last Chance Testimony Collection Initiative, a program of the University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation dedicated to permanently archiving Survivors’ personal stories to educate people around the world.

Come together to celebrate your Jewish community and the State of Israel’s 75th anniversary at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Monday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

Join your community for an extraordinary evening celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary, when the Greater Miami Jewish Federation presents The Main Event on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

Nearly 600 women from across Miami’s Jewish community came together on Wednesday for The Women’s Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where they were inspired, felt empowered, enjoyed friendship and made a difference through meaningful contributions to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has awarded Jewish Incubator Grants to 17 outstanding organizations in Miami. Now in its 10th year, Federation’s Jewish Incubator Grants Committee has allocated funds for innovative and impactful educational and social services that make a difference in the lives of Jewish Miamians.

Mazal tov to the University of Florida (UF) Hillel for being honored with the Eleanor Meyerhoff Katz Innovation Award during last month’s Hillel International Global Assembly in Dallas! The achievement recognizes the best Jewish innovations created on campus that are bold, unique and impactful on the student body.

As Israel prepares for its 75th anniversary with much excitement and fanfare, we are putting the finishing touches on our Israel 75 Miami Mega Mission, taking place April 20-27. With less than 100 days to go before we come together in Jerusalem, time is running out to register for what will surely be the celebration of a lifetime.