News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

For the second year in a row, nearly 800 teens from Israel’s war-affected communities spent their summer at Jewish camps across North America. Campers2Gether, a collaborative initiative supported by Federation and our longtime partner The Jewish Agency for Israel, among others, provided young Israelis a healing respite like no other and allowed them to form powerful connections with their North American Jewish peers.

Federation’s BeWell Miami is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based training program to better equip adults working with youth. Presented in partnership with Jewish Community Services of South Florida, the complimentary course teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse concerns in adolescents ages 12-18.

Amidst surging antisemitism and threats to the Jewish community, Federation has partnered with Secure Community Network (SCN) to create a state-of-the-art Regional Threat Center (RTC) in Miami.

Miami-Dade County municipal elections are fast approaching and JCRC’s Election Toolkit aims to educate, engage and inform voters.

In its ongoing mission to advance Holocaust education, the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, has created the Fruma and Murray Berger Scholarship in Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust.

“It works miracles,” said Ashkelon’s Chief of Security, Adir Shay, of Federation-supported Or Rishon mental health training for Israeli public servants. Fifty-five percent of Israel’s population have reported feeling impacted by trauma.

In advance of Rosh Hashanah, clients of Jewish Community Services (JCS) Kosher Food Bank are receiving grocery gift cards along with their regular food packages, thanks to the generosity of donors to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

As your trusted philanthropic partner, The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation works every day with financial advisors and other professionals to share tax-wise information that enables you and your family to maximize your investment in the Jewish community.

Take part in Israel Day & Jewish Advocacy Day in Tallahassee with Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council January 26-27, 2026. Join Florida's Jewish federations, the Israeli Consulate, the Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus and the Jewish Agency for Israel to hear from high-level experts on Israel, antisemitism, education and innovation.

Federation’s Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support is seeking compassionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of others. The Refuat Ha-Nefesh Spiritual Care Program is a unique group of volunteers who will be trained in the mitzvah of bikur cholim (visiting the sick) and the art of spiritual care.

On Sunday, September 28, Greater Miami Jewish Federation chaplains and local clergy will lead community members in the annual High Holiday Memorial Services, Kever Avot. At a variety of cemeteries and virtually on Zoom, participants will join together in memory and prayer and kindle a yahrzeit candle for those who brought light into this world.

As we approach the High Holidays, it’s important to remember that all people — those with disabilities and those without — want to participate in community prayer. That is why the Federation Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) is sharing valuable resources to elevate worship and celebrate Judaism.

Our High Holiday Welcome Program is now offering free seats for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services to unaffiliated community members who are new to Miami or in financial need.

Federation Women's Philanthropy recently gathered to celebrate at their Annual Meeting and Installation. Held at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, the event was an opportunity to thank outgoing Board members and install the new leadership for the coming year. Elise Udelson, who served with distinction as President the past two years, was recognized for her passion and commitment to the Jewish people.

As children in Israel return to school, Federation continues to support their resilience, especially for those displaced from the north and the south. A recent allocation to local Israeli government agencies from Jewish Federations of North America of more than $63 million will sustain and rebuild vital educational infrastructure and programs for war-impacted communities, many whose members are first returning home.

There is nothing more powerful than looking into the eyes of a Holocaust Survivor and hearing, “I was there.” Our teens are the last generation who can hear history from the people who lived it and now have that opportunity by applying for the Leo Martin March of the Living, April 12-24, 2026. Operated by CAJE | The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, a Federation partner, the March takes Jewish high school students on a journey through Poland to explore the history of Jewish life before, during and after the Holocaust.

If you or someone you know has suffered the unimaginable loss of a teen or adult child, you may be interested in a new local peer support group for grieving parents, presented by Federation’s Mishkan Miami.

Our High Holiday Welcome Program is now offering free seats for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services to unaffiliated community members who are new to Miami or in financial need.