It's Happening In Miami

Three-part virtual series beginning September 14, From Persecution to Renewal: The Sephardic Legacy and Foundations of Freedom exploring the Sephardic Jewish journey — from forced conversion and exile to commercial ingenuity and constitutional ideals — shaped Jewish law, identity and modern legal thought. Travel across the Iberian Peninsula, Amsterdam, the Ottoman Empire and the early American Republic, uncovering how resilience and intellectual exchange forged both Jewish and Western legal imaginations. This series is in partnership with Jewish Virtual Library and Habura, a leading global learning institution dedicated to the Geonic-Sephardi tradition as well as Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), ANU Museum of the Jewish People, European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC), Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) and the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (SCJS).

Applications are now being accepted by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for three 2025 grant opportunities: Women’s Impact Initiative Grants, Jewish Incubator Grants and the new Israel Engagement & Education Grants.

Women’s Impact Initiative Grants support initiatives in Miami that inspire and empower Jewish self-identifying women and girls and improve our local community through programs that achieve social, economic, religious and political equality through a gender lens. Jewish Incubator Grants support nonprofits that strengthen Miami’s Jewish community through innovative, impactful and forward-thinking programs that enrich social service, educational or Jewish identity-building. Israel Engagement & Education Grants support cultural and educational initiatives in Miami that create understanding, build bridges and nurture lifelong engagement with Israel. Grant applications for all opportunities are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 12. Click here for more information and to apply.

Hundreds of Miamians were in Israel when the recent escalation between Iran and Israel unexpectedly left them stranded in the country. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation knows how to create community, even in times of crises.

As missiles rained down and everyone took shelter, Federation did what we do best: expertly organized a swift response, located critical resources and brought people together. The near immediate coordination and formation of a South Florida group chat, which eventually included nearly 500 individuals, was thanks to Dahlia Bendavid, Federation’s Israel and Overseas Director, who was in Israel at the time. Leslie Gelrubin Benitah, Federation Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair, arrived in Israel the same evening the sirens began. “I didn’t just hear about what our community does. I lived it,” said Benitah. “In the middle of a crisis, in the middle of a war, I saw how fast we mobilize and how deeply we care and how far we are willing to go for another.

Click here to watch a short video of how Federation jumped into action to care for our people in a time of crisis.

With the dramatic rise in worldwide antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, it is more important than ever that students understand the complexities of our Jewish homeland — both its miracles and its challenges — before they arrive on college campuses.

That is why Federation is sponsoring Teen Israel Academy, an exciting new kind of Israel education for a limited number of Miami-Dade high school juniors and seniors and their parents. The academically rigorous program will examine Israeli history and society, including the intricacies Israel faces within its own borders, with its neighbors and with the world, and provide a meaningful and relevant introduction to many of the fundamental questions that remain at the heart of the Jewish people and State of Israel. Applications are now being accepted through August 26. For more information and to apply, click here.

Monday, October 7 at Temple Beth Sholom

Presented by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami and the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast in partnership with Miami synagogues, day schools and agencies. Please join us as we honor the victims and their families of the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We will also pay tribute to the heroes and share together our hope for the future of the people of Israel and our worldwide Jewish community.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Horrified by last weekend’s brutal Hezbollah rocket attack that killed 12 beautiful, innocent Druze teens and children in Israel while they were simply playing soccer, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Israel & Overseas Department and Jewish Community Relations Council leadership sent a heartfelt letter of support to the mayor of Majdal Shams.

The letter extended deepest condolences to the community and shared some details about Miami’s long-standing, warm and substantial connection with Israel’s Druze residents. It said in part, “Hezbollah’s intent was, and is always, to harm anyone living in the State of Israel. They do not distinguish between Jewish or Druze, secular or religious, Arab or Israeli. Those rockets were intended for all of us. Tragically, on July 27, they struck Majdal Shams and accomplished the unthinkable.” Click here to read the entire message. May the victims’ memories forever be a blessing.