News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Not only is Jewish overnight summer camp one of the most meaningful experiences a child can have, but it also helps create a strong, positive and long-lasting Jewish identity. Recognizing this pivotal time in a young adult’s life, Federation offers two opportunities to help offset tuition costs for Miami-Dade County residents: One Happy Camper and Jewish Overnight Summer Camp scholarships.

With Federation’s help, the first of 16 community-based mental health centers in Israel has officially opened, providing much-needed services to more than 200,000 people annually and allowing them to get help without the stigma associated with mental illness.

We’re counting down to the end of 2024, which means there are only a few more weeks remaining to take advantage of year-end giving! Your donation to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign by December 31 enables you to sustain our Israeli family, fight antisemitism, secure our community’s Jewish institutions and engage the next generation of Jewish leaders, while supporting other Jewish needs in Miami, Israel and in more than 70 other countries worldwide.

Take part in Israel Day at the Florida Capitol with Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council. Jewish Miami is taking over the Capitol March 25-26! Join Florida Federations and the Israeli Consulate for two days in Tallahassee. Participants will hear from high-level experts on Israel, antisemitism, education and tech.

Eden Golan, Israel’s celebrated 2024 Eurovision contestant, and Reggae superstar Matisyahu will perform at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Sunday, February 2 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Thousands of participants came together in Ofakim, Israel earlier this month for the first “Running for the Heroes” race through Mashiv HaRuach, a Federation-funded initiative focused on building resilience, healing and sustainable recovery in frontline communities since October 7.

Join Jewish Miami on Sunday, February 2 at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach, 1601 Collins Avenue. Now more than ever, we need to come together as one people and show we are Jewish Miami Proud!

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center bought together more than 600 volunteers to help Miami’s vulnerable residents have a happy holiday. The program, now in its 16th year, was held twice — once at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC for North Dade residents and again at Temple Beth Am for individuals and families living in South Dade.

Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund (IEF), which raised more than $30 million, is directing critical medical and trauma relief resources to strengthen the resilience of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservists impacted by the war.

A dozen leaders from Yerucham, Israel, visited Miami last week to meet with their counterparts and develop future programming to strengthen the people-to-people connection between the two communities.

Expectant mothers in Israel are facing an unprecedented level of stress and anxiety since the terrorist attacks of October 7. Many have been internally displaced — pulled from their daily routines and their comfort zones, far away from family and their support system — while others have lost their partners in the ongoing war, either called to reserve duty or killed in battle.

Thank you, Jewish Miami! Because of your overwhelming generosity, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation raised more than $1.75 million during Give Miami Day. Every Federation-designated donation also resulted in a bonus gift from The Miami Foundation.

“We are stronger because we stand together,” said Dr. Rebecca Karsenti in her welcoming remarks as the Event Chair of this week’s Women’s Philanthropy (WP) Lion of Judah luncheon.

Join Federation and our Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) for Season for Giving 2024, offering hands-on opportunities to help meet needs throughout Miami and ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have a happy holiday season.

With the end of 2024 just a few weeks away, now is the time to consider some tax-wise charitable giving strategies. It’s not too late to make an impactful donation that benefits our Jewish community now and for years to come.

When local donors, including Federation leadership, heard that our partner city of Yerucham was in dire need of a new ambulance, they happily expedited its purchase and sent it on its way to Israel. This past summer, Tzachi Ben Yishai, a member of the Miami-Yerucham Partnership Committee and Eastern Negev Regional Director for Federation partner Magen David Adom, brought Yerucham’s ambulance shortage to the attention of Roi Vaknin, Yerucham Partnership Director.

Two enthusiastic 18-year-old shinshinim (emissaries) are sharing their love for Israel and all things Jewish with Miami’s children and young adults as part of a yearly Federation program.

Federation is proud to welcome The Nova Music Festival Exhibition to Miami, opening on Wednesday, December 18. The in-depth remembrance of the brutal massacre at The Nova Music Festival in Re’im, Israel, on October 7, sets out to recreate a festival dedicated to peace and love that was savagely cut short by Hamas’ barbaric attack.