News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the alarming rise in worldwide antisemitism, students around the globe are in need of assistance, not only to process the horrific events but also to clarify the current landscape and how to best defend our Jewish homeland.

According to the ADL, antisemitism has surged 337 percent in the US following the barbaric events of October 7. Online Jew hatred is even worse, with the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reporting a 500 percent increase in antisemitism on fringe social platforms.

“Being in Israel now could not feel more right,” said Alon Labock, one of 26 college students in the Onward Israel summer internship program who participated last weekend in a Shabbaton in Federation’s partner city of Yerucham. “Seeing how the people here balance their day during a time of war has been very inspiring,” he noted. The group, consisting of students from Miami and Los Angeles, spent Shabbat becoming acquainted with the residents of Yerucham, its history and multifaceted culture.

Don’t miss your last chance to participate in the Miami-Dade Jewish Community Study! “Every 10 years, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation invests in a comprehensive study to understand the changing needs of the Miami Jewish community,” explained Bobby Gilbert, Federation Board member and Chair of the Community Study Committee.

Only a few spots remain for this Sunday's special learning opportunity with Mishkan Miami in advance of Shavuot. Commemorating the giving of the Torah to the Jewish People, Shavuot is traditionally observed by exploring Jewish texts and enjoying dairy products to honor Israel as the land of milk and honey.

Is your teen looking to make a difference this summer? Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) is offering high schoolers ages 15 and older the chance to participate in a Volunteer Teen Mission for one week in Israel, July 7-15.

Yerucham Mayor Nili Aharon, who was elected mayor in March, visited Federation, as well as a local synagogue, Jewish day school, Jewish community center and the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, and met with Federation’s Israel and Overseas Committees and Israeli Division.

Jewish American Heritage Month wraps up today, and as we are witnessing an unprecedented global rise in antisemitism and hate, it is especially important to highlight the diversity and vibrancy of our Jewish community, including here in Miami-Dade County.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation installed new volunteer leadership at the 86th Annual Meeting, chaired by Debbie and David Mendal on May 30, and changes in professional leadership were announced. Lily Serviansky was installed as Chair of the Board, Mojdeh Khaghan Danial was appointed General Campaign Chair and Federation installed our 2024-2025 Officers, Board of Directors, Life Trustee and Council of Jewish Organization members.

LGBTQ+ Israelis struggling with trauma following the atrocities of October 7 are receiving vital support from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and our partners on the ground through the collective Jewish Federations of North America Israel Emergency Fund.

Come together with your community to celebrate Pride Month this June. In partnership with BeWell Miami, the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, Keshet, Miami Jewish Film Festival, The Hub at Temple Beth Am and other local Jewish organizations, Federation is convening our community to bring attention to Jewish LGBTQ+ identity in conjunction with mental health awareness through a screening of The Holy Closet.

As the Israel-Hamas war approaches its eighth month, Federation is continuing to provide financial support to meet a variety of needs on the ground in Israel. Thanks to hundreds of generous donors from our community and beyond, our Israel Emergency Fund (IEF) has raised nearly $30 million.

“It’s different than anything you’ve seen in the news,” said Suzette Diamond of The Moment Music Stood Still, an immersive installation memorializing the Tribe of Nova Music Festival massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7. Diamond chaired the Women’s Philanthropy (WP) trip to New York, which brought 17 women together for an exclusive tour of the exhibit — on display there for only four weeks.

With all that is happening on today’s college campuses, coming together as a Jewish community is more important than ever — and Hillel International provides a home away from home for more than 170,000 Jewish college students on nearly 1,000 campuses.

Since the atrocities of October 7, Israelis are facing indescribable trauma and uncertainty, which is why Federation overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) “quiet room” initiative in evacuees’ hotels is so helpful.

Federation, in collaboration with local and prominent voices, has been publishing stories on social media that celebrate the strength and breadth of our community and values. Partners created individual reels discussing their Jewish journeys, how their Jewish values and belief systems shaped their lives and influential Jewish leaders they admire.

Pain. Fortitude. Resilience. Participants in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s eighth and most recent Solidarity Mission to Israel returned time and again to these themes as they visited with Israelis during the week of Yom Ha’Zikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Independence Day).

Time is running out to join our Jewish community for the 86th Annual Meeting on May 30 at 5:30 p.m., when the 2024-2025 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors will be installed during a very special program.