It's Happening In Miami

Hadassah Comes Together: A Moment of Prayer for Surfside

Thursday, July 8, 12:30 pm ET

Hadassah invites you to a moment of prayer for the victims, survivors and families affected by the tragedy of the Surfside Condo Collapse. Please join us as we come together as a national community in prayer and in healing, with words of hope and solace.

CLICK HERE TO ATTEND

Remarks by Rhoda Smolow Hadassah National President

Adrian Fischer Hadassah Greater Miami President

Prayer service conducted by Rabbi Eliot H. Pearlson Temple Menorah, Miami Beach accompanied by Rabbi Julie Jacobs Beth David Congregation, Miami

May the memories of those we lost be forever a blessing, and may the families of the victims and those missing know no more sorrow.

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We are not alone. Over the past week, our friends and partners from around the world have shown solidarity with Surfside and the individuals and families reeling from the unimaginable tragedy.

Through words, deeds and generous donations, we have been strengthened by the international emergency response from Israel’s United Hatzalah and from Mexico’s Jewish community through CADENA. President-elect of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog, who is completing his term as Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, pledged continued assistance and support in the days and weeks to come in a touching letter to Federation. We were also comforted to welcome Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai, who accompanied a delegation of elite reserve officers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Homefront Command to assist rescue crews. Our partnership city of Yerucham has sent messages of support and prayers led by Mayor Tal Ohana.

Please click here to watch this video.

The devastating collapse of Champlain Towers South is a moment of deep trauma and uncertainty. For the past week, Greater Miami Jewish Federation chaplains and community rabbis have been providing around-the-clock counseling to bereaved family members of those who have perished and remain missing as well as displaced people. This crisis comes on the heels of a year of uncertainty for each of us, challenging our own sense of security. How do we respond? A Prayerful Response to the Surfside Tragedy, produced by Federation's Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support in partnership with members of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, provides an opportunity for each of us to connect to our feelings right now and connect with others who are suffering deeply at this time.

If you would like to submit a prayer request, please click here. Our rabbis will distribute the list to local synagogues.

Because of the generosity of more than 7,500 caring people of all faiths from all over the globe, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is helping those directly affected by the Surfside Building Collapse. Federation — together with our partner agencies — is providing individuals and families with immediate support as they face the uncertainty of the days ahead. This includes direct financial assistance such as cash and gift cards for clothing, medication, food and other essentials; case management services through Jewish Community Services (JCS) to help access benefits, insurance and other relief programs; onsite mental health and trauma counselors; around-the-clock spiritual support from our team of clergy; assistance in locating short- and long-term housing for displaced people and help with funeral planning. As the situation on the ground evolves, Federation will be there with resources and expertise to respond to the emerging needs.

We are also providing human resources through our Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) to sort and distribute donations for families and first responders; insurance, mental health and legal professionals offering pro-bono services and crisis response though our Office of Community Security as we work with law enforcement on additional concerns. This is the power of community in action.

Beyond the immediate needs, Federation has begun to ask what’s next for victims and their families. How do they start the process of trying to rebuild and recover? Please join us as we continue our work in Surfside during this extraordinary time. If you have not already made a donation to the Surfside emergency assistance fund, please click here to donate now.

Following the horrific tragedy in Surfside, if you or someone you know is in need of emergency financial assistance, food, counseling, bereavement support or is facing other challenges, please call 2-1-1

Operated by Greater Miami Jewish Federation partner agency, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, this free, confidential helpline can guide you to the services you need. During ordinary and extraordinary times, Miami’s Jewish community is here to help 24 hours a day.

The Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation are shocked and devastated by the collapse of Champlain Towers South, an apartment building in Surfside, Florida. We join with the entire community to mourn the loss of life and pray for a full recovery of those injured, even as we hold out hope for the fate of those who remain missing.

We are grateful to the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to rescue people trapped in their apartments, as well as beneath the wreckage, and who remain steadfastly on the scene carrying out search and rescue efforts.

In the short time since this catastrophe occurred, tremendous needs have already emerged. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is in touch with our network of agencies, elected officials, the American Red Cross, the United Way of Miami-Dade County, local synagogues and law enforcement to respond.

Multiple government agencies and municipalities are providing immediate care for victims. In addition, we have identified four other areas of need.

• Emergency funding for families and individuals – Federation has opened an Emergency Fund for the Surfside Building Collapse to help individuals and families' short- and long-term needs. Donations can be made online at JewishMiami.org/surfsidebuildingcollapse.
• Chaplaincy Services – members of the clergy are on-site at the Surfside Community Center through Federation's program Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support and from multiple local synagogues. To reach a chaplain, email [email protected].
• Crisis Counseling and Social Services –Federation's primary human service agency Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), is the community’s initial contact point for impacted individuals requiring short- or long-term assistance through its JCS Helpline Services. If you or someone you know requires support, call 2-1-1.
• Housing Assistance – Together with JCS and multiple other resources, we will be working with individuals and families who have been displaced and who require assistance in securing short-term and longer-term housing solutions. If you are in need of housing, call 2-1-1.

In addition, sadly, we know that there may be families who require help arranging appropriate funeral and burial services for loved ones in the days ahead. Federation is ready to provide assistance as necessary as this tragedy continues to unfold.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation will continue to provide updates as more information surfaces.

In the past week, more than 7,500 donors have contributed nearly $2 million to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Emergency Fund for the Surfside Building Collapse.

Together with our partners — Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support — we are providing financial assistance, chaplaincy support, crisis counseling and social services to people impacted by the tragedy. Please participate in the community’s collective response by clicking here. Donation checks with the notation “Surfside Building Collapse” can be mailed to: Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33137. As always, Federation will absorb all administrative costs so that 100 percent of funds collected will be used to provide assistance to those affected.

As families of the missing continue their vigil in Surfside, I know there is not a single person of good will who doesn’t feel the urge to join with the community to offer support and solace to those who are suffering. For the Jewish people, coming together in times of crisis to help each other and to help others is part of our DNA. This time is no different. In this special edition of Federation Five, you will read about the assistance pouring into Miami from near and far through prayer, statements of solidarity and more than 7,000 donations to Greater Miami Jewish Federation Emergency Fund for the Surfside Building Collapse, which is providing critical assistance in areas of immediate need and planning for the long-term support of the individuals and families directly impacted by the collapse.

The Champlain Towers South catastrophe is a severe wound to our communal self and it’s an open wound that won’t start healing until everyone is accounted for. While the brave first responders and the local and international search and rescue teams continue their meticulous and holy work, we can find comfort in each other and in knowing that our Jewish community in Miami and all over the world is showing solidarity and support with the people affected by this disaster.

Let us continue to hold each other up and pray during this painful time.

SUNDAY, JULY 11TH

8PM ET • 7PM CT • 5PM PT

A 20TH ANNIVERSARY STREAMING FUNDRAISER

Join us as we celebrate Sharsheret's growth in Florida.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

July 9, 2021 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Located in Brickell

Appetizers, drinks and a laid back Shabbat experience for young professionals in their 20s + 30s.

Follow @miamijews on Instagram for event details and to know when RSVP opens. Email [email protected] for additional information.