Jul 5, 2011

'Young Lion' Program Pairs B’nai Mitzvah Students with Holocaust Survivors

Each year, the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation provides hundreds of opportunities for members of Miami’s Jewish community to come together and help make a difference. For the second year in a row, the JVC is partnering with the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to continue the remarkable Young Lion of Judah program a youth-oriented, Jewish philanthropy initiative, pairing more than two dozen B’nai Mitzvah students with Holocaust survivors.

This unique program runs from November 13, 2011 through February 5, 2012. Twenty-five students and 25 Holocaust survivors will meet monthly on Sundays for different meaningful experiences surrounding Holocaust education. In addition to the meetings, each student will volunteer on his or her own schedule, visiting with the survivor and building a new relationship and friendship.

Each youngster will also be asked to recognize his or her partner during their Bar or Bat Mitzvah service and make a gift of $180 to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign. Youngsters will receive a certificate of completion and, as a special memento, a beautiful Young Lion of Judah gift – a silver bracelet for girls and silver talit clips for boys.

“This is truly a wonderful way for these young adults to not only learn firsthand about the Holocaust but to honor these survivors, whom we all consider to be heroes,” said Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach Executive Director Sharon Horowitz.

For an application or for more information, contact JVC Director Lori Drutz at 786.866.8414 or [email protected].