News from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

As has been widely reported in the media, flyers have been distributed in Donetsk, Ukraine, requiring Jews to “register with the Nationalities Commissioner and pay $50 or lose their citizenship and face deportation.”

The Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation offer our deepest condolences and support to the families of those senselessly murdered and injured on the afternoon of Sunday, April 13, 2014 outside the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom..

This summer, hundreds of young professionals from across North America, including a contingent from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, will attend the National Young Leadership “Summer of Soul” Summer Trip to Israel with The Jewish Federations of North America.

More than 50 representatives from non-profit and law enforcement organizations gathered at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Thursday, April 3 to take part in an Advocacy Seder convened by the Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking; a joint task force of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and Women’s Philanthropy.

Hundreds of South Floridians will gather at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach on Sunday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust in observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

While the rest of the world waits for a resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, people living in the region are struggling with daily challenges – and getting the assistance they need through the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. One such recipient is 14-year-old Marianna Tikich of southeastern Ukraine.

TribeFest, the largest Jewish young adult gathering organized by The Jewish Federations of North America‘s National Young Leadership, was held in New Orleans March 16-18. Jacqueline Berenson, who serves as the Chair of Missions and Conferences for The Network, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s under 40 connection, attended TribeFest and shared her unique experience.

Do you know someone in Miami’s Jewish community who makes a difference in the lives of others through volunteerism? The Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation wants your help in recognizing an exceptional adult or teen with its 2014 Outstanding Volunteer Award.

In recognition of the Miami Jewish community’s long-time commitment to equal treatment for all Americans, Carol Brick-Turin, Director of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, accepted a Commendation from the City of Miami at the conclusion of Black History Month 2014.

Mitzvah Miami, the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s volunteer program for Jewish youth, invites teenagers from across Miami-Dade County to bring smiles to families living at the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless on Sunday, April 13. The event is being coordinated by the JVC in partnership with J-Serve, an international day of service for Jewish teens.

Nearly 1,000 volunteers converged on Federation headquarters on Sunday, March 9 to raise vital funds for the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign and join in hands-on mitzvah projects as part of Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day.

As political unrest in Ukraine has escalated in recent weeks, many people have been killed or injured. The turmoil has caused food shortages, the suspension of public transportation, and growing fear, especially among the elderly. But the most vulnerable Jewish residents are receiving the critical support they need, through the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign.

The Professional Advisors Council (PAC) of The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Temple Israel of Greater Miami will present a seminar on Estate and Tax Planning for Non-Traditional Families on Tuesday, March 4, beginning at noon at Temple Israel, 137 Northeast 19th Street, Miami.

The Attorneys’ Division of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will recognize the achievements of three legal luminaries -- Judge Scott M. Bernstein, Florida Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis and attorney Aaron S. Podhurst -- at its 30th Anniversary Judicial Reception on Thursday, April 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami.

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation sends a heartfelt message of support to the members of Kehillat Ra’anana in Israel following the unconscionable and hateful vandalism of their synagogue last week, which referenced rulings by Maimonides regarding non-believers.

Just after the New Year, more than 40 young adults returned to Miami from Israel, having spent 10 days on a life-changing Taglit-Birthright Israel trip through funding from the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. Now, even more young Jews will have the opportunity to experience our spiritual homeland for free as adults after the organization expanded its program eligibility.

Super Sunday, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s largest annual community-wide fundraising phonathon, has traditionally been a day of giving, as volunteer callers reach out to members of Miami’s Jewish community to ask for support of the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation mourns the loss of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon passed away on the Jewish Sabbath on January 11, 2014.