News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Join the US kick-off of International Good Deeds Day right here in Miami, this Sunday, April 12! Just a few spots remain available to volunteer locally on Good Deeds Day, an event started 20 years ago by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison and today involving communities across North America and 115 countries worldwide.

Jewish college and university students have until May 31 to apply for a 2026 Sylvia Tuman Scholarship. Administered by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program provides a limited number of grants to Jewish students in need of financial assistance.

Despite the ongoing war, new olim (immigrants) continue to arrive in Israel, turning a moment of conflict into one of purpose and belonging. Since the start of the war approximately six weeks ago, roughly 200 individuals have made aliyah, including 40 from North America.

With Women's History Month ending, The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation pays tribute to Miami’s own Mikki Futernick, who made history by creating the International Lion of Judah Endowment Program in 1992.

Clients of Jewish Community Services Kosher Food Bank received some extra help ahead of Passover, thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Saul Schottenstein Foundation. Prior to Pesach, individuals and families facing food insecurity in Jewish Miami were given grocery gift cards along with their regular food packages.

As missile attacks across Israel continue, Federation partners have expanded emergency operations to help hard-hit cities like Dimona and Arad, which suffered large-scale impacts that left hundreds injured.

As the war with Iran continues to disrupt daily life across Israel, Federation and our longtime partner, Leket Israel, are working to ensure that no Israeli is left without food, especially at Passover.

The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach brings Holocaust education into the 21st century with the Grand Opening of its state-of-the-art Education Center. Memorial and Education Center Founders Norman Braman, Ezra Katz, Matan Benaviv and Jessica Katz; Holocaust survivors; descendants of survivors; elected officials and other dignitaries came together for last Sunday’s ribbon-cutting, with the community touring the facility afterwards.

Thank you, Jewish Miami! Federation’s Super Sunday phonathon raised more than $850,000 from over 700 generous donors to support those in need in our community, in Israel and around the world.

As missiles and rockets continue to fall across Israel, displacing and traumatizing thousands, Federation is providing critical emotional support and counseling not only to Israeli citizens, but also to the professionals caring for them.

“Give me a staff filled with Ike Hellers and we’ll change the world,” said Federation President & CEO Emeritus Jacob Solomon at the recent dedication of the Ike Heller Educational Building at Landow Jewish Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

Join Jewish Miami’s largest day of service, Good Deeds Day, on Sunday April 12! The community-wide celebration of kindness, service and impact is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

“Our preparedness in safeguarding the Jewish community isn’t predicated on a single event or conflict,” said James Somohano, Director of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Office of Community Security (OCS).

As the war with Iran heads into its second week, Federation is committed to helping Israelis with critical and immediate aid. One of our principal vehicles for that is The Jewish Agency for Israel's Fund for Victims of Terror (FVOT).

Answer the call this Sunday! You may get a call from a number you don't recognize. That's a volunteer from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation with an opportunity to do the mitzvah of tzedakah.

You are invited to the grand opening of the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach Education Center on Sunday, March 22, 2-6 p.m. Dedicated to preserving Holocaust memory through survivor testimony, this state-of-the-art facility allows guests to bear witness to history and reflect on the dangers of intolerance, hatred and antisemitism.

In the past week, 110,000 IDF reservists have been called to duty and the newly established National Headquarters for Families of Reserve Service Members is already operating to meet the urgent needs of reservists and their families.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, our Jewish Community Relations Council and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami are horrified and outraged by the wave of antisemitic violence targeting Jewish communities in West Bloomfield, MI, and across North America in recent days.