News from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Women from around the community were “Reaching Out, Taking Action and Stepping up,” at the Women’s Philanthropy (WP) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation “Day for the Soul” event which took place on May 22 at Briza on the Bay, Miami.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of a few high school students, the entire southern Israeli town of Yerucham, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s partnership city in Israel, has become crazy about robotics. And recently, the Yerucham High School Robotics Team won some heavy honors.

A new task force will increase public awareness and concern about the dangers and prevalence of human trafficking in Miami-Dade County and Florida.

In memory of their fellow bus mate, several participants on 2012’s Miami Mega Mission to Israel collected money to plant a few trees in Israel that has now become a fruitful and flourishing community space in Pardes Channa-Karkur.

In March 2013, 15 teenagers from Pardes Channa-Karkur, Israel, went on a 10-day trip to Ethiopia, on a mission called “Roots,” to gain a better understanding of the sacrifices and difficulties their parents and grandparents had to endure to give them a more prosperous life as Israelis.

Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, one of the leading experts on the topic – including advance care directives – will be the keynote speaker at three programs sponsored and presented by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Jewish Chaplaincy Program, Maimonides Society, Attorneys’ Division and Foundation on Thursday, May 2.

From the Yiddish Theater and nickelodeons to Hollywood and Broadway, the Jewish people have made tremendous contributions to the world of entertainment. Through the month of May, Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) honors the Jewish fingerprint upon the nation’s popular culture.

The Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation takes great pride in the thousands of dedicated volunteers who committed their time and energy this year to make a difference.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is joining with other Jewish organizations across America to ask Jewish individuals over 18 years of age and of all backgrounds and interests to participate in an important new intergenerational survey. Y

Masa Israel Journey, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation/Jewish Agency for Israel-funded program that brings post-college adults on transformative experiences through Israel has two new, five-month programs available that will ignite the passions of anyone with an interest in Judaic studies, Israel, organic living and wine—Israel Wine Experience and LaMidbar.

Join teens from around Miami-Dade County for Mitzvah Miami on Sunday, April 28, as they partner with J-Serve, an international day of service for Jewish teens.

One hundred thirty local residents will assemble on March 28 and become part of a legacy that changed modern Jewish education, as they depart on the 25th annual March of the Living, a two-week journey to Poland and Israel.

More than six years ago, Miami’s Jewish community established a long-term partnership with the Israeli town of Yerucham, located in the Negev Desert. Michael Biton, Yerucham’s mayor, was recently in the U.S. and stopped in Miami to discuss the past five years of partnership and what’s ahead for the Miami-Yerucham connection.

Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an award-winning, nationally-syndicated columnist, author, Jewish educator, public speaker, and attorney.

Hundreds of South Floridians will gather at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Sunday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m., to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust in observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).

Job seekers interested in attending short-term programs that will enable them to upgrade their skills and become more marketable may apply for training grants through ParnossahWorks Miami, a partnership between Jewish Community Services of South Florida and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation that helps job seekers gain immediate access to available job opportunities.

In preparation for Super Sunday on March 10, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Youth Ambassadors are planning, collecting and rallying at their schools for Miami’s largest annual Jewish community phonathon.