News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Federation continues to prioritize the wellbeing and resilience of teens and young adults in southern Israel. Through the Israel Emergency Fund, Federation is supporting the renovation and revival of the Shikma Educational Institution, an informal framework helping to encourage the next generation of leaders by instilling values of responsibility, leadership and unity through creative work in small group settings.

Join the Miami cohort helping to rebuild Gaza border communities on a solidarity mission to Israel, March 23-30. A group of Miamians, ages 21 and older, will spend eight days working alongside professional builders to help revitalize Israel’s war-torn south. The mission is facilitated by the nonprofit Livnot U’Lehibanot (To Build and Be Built), which, since October 7, has completed more than 250 restoration projects throughout communities and army bases on the Gaza border.

The Women's Impact Initiative (WII) Committee recently announced the grantees for the 2024-2025 fiscal year with nine local organizations receiving a total of $80,000 to provide opportunities for Jewish Miami’s women and girls to achieve social, economic, religious and political equality.

With 15 cinema-filled days, 130+ film premieres, 80+ exclusive virtual showings and a whole lot more, the 28th Annual Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) has something for everyone! Celebrated as the largest Jewish film festival in the world, MJFF runs January 9-23, with the kickoff taking place at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell outdoor amphitheater before expanding to eight additional venues across Greater Miami.

The Federation-funded Hillels of Florida received the 2024 Innovation Award at the recent Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) in Boston. The HIGA honor recognizes bold and creative efforts that beneficially impact college students.

With Israeli industries severely impacted by the October 7 attacks, Federation is helping unemployed Israelis return to the workplace through rehabilitation and reskilling. We are helping both employers and the jobless from the construction, tourism and agriculture industries rebuild their businesses and lives.

Losing a beloved family member or friend can be one of life’s greatest challenges, which is why Federation’s Mishkan Miami offers valuable resources online to help mourners throughout the grieving process.

One Happy Camper®, a Federation-funded program, is offering grants to campers wishing to attend Jewish overnight summer camp for the first time. In partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Camp and Jewish overnight camps across North America, Federation provides need-blind grants of up to $1,000 to families with first-time campers attending nonprofit, mission-driven Jewish overnight summer camps.

Don't miss the opportunity to donate to the Annual Federation Campaign before the end of the year! Show your support of Israel and help confront the rising tide of antisemitism around the world.

In advance of the first night of Chanukah, clients of Jewish Community Services of South Florida Kosher Food Bank (KFB) are receiving grocery gift cards along with their regular food packages, allowing them to add something special to their holiday celebrations.

Twenty-one Miami-area mayors, vice mayors and community leaders attended the 3rd Annual Standing Strong Together Against Antisemitism Press Conference, hosted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council.

A Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative grantee is addressing the increase in domestic violence in Israel since October 7 with a special canine protection program. Dedicated to combating violence against women, the Michal Sela Forum responded to the 65 percent rise in incidents since the war began by providing guard dogs to survivors of domestic violence.

The Friendship Circle has a beautiful new home in South Dade, following the grand opening of the Friendship Campus earlier this month. More than 1,000 members of the community, including many elected officials, attended the opening ceremony on the new 20,000-square-foot campus, now home to both the Friendship Circle and Chabad Center of Kendall/Pinecrest.

Birthright Israel Onward is your chance to spend eight weeks this summer living like a local and immersing yourself in contemporary Israeli life, while building your resume, gaining professional experience and exploring everything Israel has to offer.

Since the October 7 terrorist attacks, Federation has deepened its support of Youth Futures, specifically in our partnership city of Yerucham, Israel. A longtime Federation partner, Youth Futures empowers teens to serve as role models and helps at-risk families flourish.

Make your Federation support count even more with a year-end contribution to the Annual Campaign. These are trying times for the Jewish people and your donation by December 31 will enable us to amplify our efforts to sustain Jewish life in Miami, in Israel and in more than 70 other countries worldwide.

Amidst a staggering surge of worldwide antisemitism, renowned Israel and Jewish advocates Michael Rapaport, Bari Weiss and Dan Senor will participate in a panel discussion at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Sunday, February 2 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Eshel, a recipient of a Federation Jewish Incubator Grant, was recently featured in the Miami Herald for their advocacy and inclusion work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ Orthodox community.