It's Happening In Miami

COOKING | Recipes of Majorca's Hidden Jews

MONDAY, JANUARY 18 @ 4pm ET / 1pm PT

Come on a culinary adventure as we take part in a cooking class with a member of Majorca's Jewish community – famous for surviving in secret through the Spanish Inquisition over 500 years ago. Together, we will explore the Jewish roots of traditional dishes on this famous Spanish island and honor the history of this unique Jewish community. Bring your apron as we will distribute the recipe in advance so you can cook alongside us – and make sure to have a lovely glass of Spanish red or white wine as we cook together!

Presented by Dani Rotsein

RSVP HERE

After 9 years of dealing with red tape, Chabad Chayil finally got the full set of permits to build a new state of the art center in the Highland Lakes section of North Miami.

Chabad Chayil was founded in the late eighties by the legendary Rabbi Dovid Bryn of blessed memory, at the directive of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, to service the local Jewish community with meaningful programming, for adults, teens and children. Before Rabbi Bryn passed away, he brought Rabbi Moishe Kievman down to cover for him and run his growing operation. Since Rabbi Bryn’s passing in 2002 from marfan syndrome, Rabbi Kievman and his wife, Layah, have kept Chabad Chayil going and expanded its services with innovative programming.

At first Chabad Chayil ran out of the California Club Mall. It was known as California Club Shul - Chabad Chayil. It then rented several spaces, until it was able to purchase its first house on the corner of NE 26th Ave & 211 Ter. Although the space was tight from day one, it took several years until they were able to purchase the neighboring house and expand the Shul into it, and make more room for its growing afterschool programs. The new building will sit on 5 lots, in which there were 4 houses. Moving to a temporary location is already on the way, and demolition for the houses is scheduled for late January of 2021.

Before taking the plans before the zoning board, the rabbi presented the project to the community and addressed any issues that were brought up. Although some were skeptical, when the plans did finally come before the zoning commission, it passed unanimously. Many people came, but not one person had any concerns. “This project is a win win for everyone” said Rabbi Kievman who has been running Chabad Chayil now for more than 19 years. “It will beautify the neighborhood, create a safe place for our children, servicing their after school needs, and bring quality programs for children, teens and adults of all ages”. He explained that while one of the main concerns is always traffic, this will actually help alleviate the traffic issue, as it will stagger school pickup and allow parents to bring their children to a preschool closer to home.

To date, thousands have been impacted by the dedicated staff of Chabad Chayil, including several thousand children and teens who have enjoyed their well known afterschool activities. “This is a blessing for us and a dream come true for everyone” said Mark Levy who has been a part of the community for the past decade. “Just come by and see the smiling faces. See the children who are well taken care of and just want to stay. This is a blessing and the best news. I’m super excited”.

Community activist Avi Freunlich has coordinated volunteers who want to help in any way possible to make things go smoother. "I'm looking forward to have a place to call home for every Jew in the community," said Erica Chao who's 2 daughters attend CHAP and who volunteers at Chabad Chayil, any free second she has. "I was going to say a 'home away from home', but for so many Chabad is actually their 'first home'!

The new 5 story building will host its current award winning programs: CHAP Community Hebrew Afterschool Program, CKids, CTeen, GROW Enrichment, Hebrew School, Dovid Bryn Library and The Family Shul. It will G‑d willing include 14 regular classrooms, 2 specialty classrooms, adult & children's libraries, an indoor playground, jungle gym, social hall & rooftop park! With over 36,000 square feet of indoor space and 10,000 square feet of rooftop park and terraces, it will be a gem for the entire community, allowing Chabad to expand its current programming and services to include a preschool & a whole line up of extra curricular activities!

If you have access to the funds, here’s something to think about. You can enable the building to go up, without it costing you a dime, by making an Impact Investment. Think of it as recycling your charity, where you can give the same funds over and over again! You’re money will be 100+% secure, and if you want, you can even make money on it! For anyone looking to have a legacy that they are proud of, while investing in the local community, for an educational & humanitarian cause, this is the safest and smartest place to lend your money.

If you would like to join any of the committees, make a donation of any sort (financial, building materials, services..) or want to help in any way, please reach out. For the full set of plans & to see what dedications are available go to ChabadChayil.org/build or call (305) 770-1919.

Join Hillel at FIU, Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program, Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU for Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Week from January 25-29, 2021.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

The Miami Jewish Film Festival and the German Consulate General in Miami are proud to announce a special virtual film series celebrating German Jewish Cinema that will run through the entire month of January. Each of the films presented in the series originally received their premieres at past Miami Jewish Film Festival editions and will be made available to stream for free for a limited time for all residents in the Greater Miami community.

CLICK HERE to Learn more.

To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and community members,
we must adhere to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines.
Masks are required. Please remain in your car and open the trunk when it’s your turn in line. Volunteers will place food in your trunk. (If you are able, please print and place this on your dashboard.)

Thursday, January 14
9-11 a.m.

First come, first served while supplies last.
Please do not arrive before 9 a.m.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Stanley C. Myers Building
4200 Biscayne Boulevard

This Kosher Food Distribution Event has been generously underwritten by:
Yleana & Yoram Izhak
and
Janice & Alan Lipton

Farm Share, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider.

The 2020 #WeRemember initiative invites participants from around the world to take pictures of themselves holding a sign with the words “We Remember,” and then post their pictures to social media using the hashtag #WeRemember, to spread the message that “never again” must mean never again.

“Join the #WeRemember campaign to preserve the past and ensure that ‘never again’ truly means never again.”

For more information and to watch the 2020 #WeRemember campaign launch video, which highlights the testimonials of five Holocaust survivors, visit weremember.wjc.org.

For many year, the stones of the Kotel (Western Wall) have held many notes with prayers for health, love, success and all else. Now more than ever, those prayers can offer us comfort and solace. While the pandemic prevents us from traveling to Israel to visit the Kotel, you can still place a note between its stones through the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. Click here to compose a note. The Foundation will place your words among the holy stones and ensure your privacy is protected.

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t tour some of the best Jewish museums around the globe. From New York City and Amsterdam to Montreal, Jerusalem and Toledo, see it all from your living room. Click here to get started.

As our nation continues to battle racism, bigotry and anti-Semitism during this pandemic, staying involved and engaged is more important than ever. AJC, a global Jewish advocacy organization, is presenting Advocacy Anywhere, a platform that helps you engage with experts on current issues, including anti-Semitism, extremism, BDS and human rights for all people. Click here to view videos, hear briefings from leading figures and connect with timely content from wherever you are through your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Gain a greater understanding of racial equality with Engage in Racial Justice, presented by The Jewish Federations of North America Jewish Together program. This website offers informative virtual classes, suggested readings and inspirational video. Click here to begin exploring.