News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Behind the headlines of economic insecurity are real people … a woman who lost her job due to the pandemic, a new immigrant with a family in need of job counseling and a job seeker who wanted to fulfill her passion working with children while earning a living wage.

On Friday, January 21, from 9-11 a.m., hundreds of cars will once again line up for Federation’s Free Kosher Food Distribution Drive-Thru.

Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and the violence erupting from Gaza, more than 27,000 olim (immigrants) made Israel their new home in 2021.

“Not since college have I been so excited about learning. To be involved with such brilliant scholars and wonderful fellow students is the great gift of the COVID tragedy.” These are the words of Ann Zartler, an active participant in the Florence Melton School of Adult Learning & Growth/Melton & More classes.

The local recipients of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation 2022 Women’s Impact Initiative Grants exemplify innovation and inspiration at its best.

An Israel experience at any age can be transformative, but for 22-year-old Alberto Sutton, his summer with Federation-supported Onward Israel helped him see his Jewish heritage in a more meaningful way.

Federation’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) is helping young adults figure out their philanthropic future. Formerly The Network, YLD welcomes individuals ages 25-40ish looking to live, give and lead Jewishly.

What do you get when 150 volunteers give back 600 hours of their time? This is not a trick question, but the result of Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center 14th Annual Season for Giving, which took place from December 14 to December 23.

The Torah teaches us to welcome the stranger because we were once strangers in Egypt and you can practice this value by helping Afghan refugees now arriving in Miami.

Attention cinephiles: The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) is coming to town from January 13-27, 2022 and all virtual screenings are free of charge! Now celebrating its 25th year, the award-winning festival includes both virtual and live, outdoor screenings.

The Miami Herald recently highlighted the Jewish community’s work in resettling Afghan refugees arriving in Miami. Federation is collaborating with our primary human services partner Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and HIAS, a global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, to give the arrivals a start in Miami through JCS’ Refugee Assistance Program (J-RAP).

Your donations to the Federation/UJA Annual Campaign support a number of important Israeli organizations focused on serving communities with special needs.

As you ring in the new year, if you have not already done so, please consider making a meaningful gift to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign by clicking here.

Do you know a high school student interested in a transformative Israel experience? The Stephen Muss Impact Fellowship is now accepting applications for its 2022 Miami cohort, taking place September 5-December 21, 2022.

Mazel Tov to the Aventura chapter of the Tzofim (Israeli Scouts) Shevet Barak for serving as the honor guard in the opening ceremony of the Israeli American Council’s (IAC) national summit this weekend.

Pioneering Cofounder of Jewish Federation Women's Philanthropy Lion of Judah Norma Kipnis Wilson passed away earlier this week.

Now in its ninth year, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Jewish Incubator Grants Committee awarded $70,000 to 15 organizations that are creating change in Miami.

Now is the time to review your 2021 charitable giving and make some tax-smart decisions while also improving the lives of others.