Even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, next week Jewish people around the world will once again welcome Passover as we have for millennia. But, this year is most certainly different than all other years! The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is meeting the challenge to find meaningful ways to help isolated individuals and families feel the warm embrace of community. All of us will long for the deep connections the holiday always brings, but many will unfortunately long for much more.

EXPANDED ONLINE SERVICES

Federation’s Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support helps link us to our sacred Jewish resources on a year-round basis. At this time, joined by all community clergy, Mishkan Miami is offering a compassionate and caring presence to assist people in finding the courage, support and resilience necessary to face the enormity of this crisis. Recognizing the importance of spiritual care, they are hosting numerous webinars, online learning and meditation sessions, virtual religious services and more. With Passover days away, please click here to search for all the offerings.

In addition, organizations can now upload information directly to the Coronavirus Community Resource Page’s Virtual Community Calendar by clicking here. The site is updated multiple times a day, so we encourage you to check-in regularly and share it with family and friends.

Beyond caring for the spiritual needs of our community, of course, Federation and Jewish Community Services are continuing to care for the most vulnerable who are facing extraordinary challenges. In ordinary times, 1 in 8 people rely on some form of financial assistance from Federation and our partner agencies. As expected, we are now seeing a dramatic acceleration in requests for support from individuals and our community’s vital institutions. Federation is working to ensure we can address emerging needs among the newly vulnerable, including individuals and families who suddenly find themselves unemployed or experiencing significant financial distress and uncertainty. We want to emphasize: If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call our Jewish community’s confidential helpline at 305.576.6550 for guidance. Operated by Federation partner agency, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), the helpline is open 24/7 every day of the year.

SOCIAL SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Miami, a Federation program, has decided to relax eligibility requirements and is fast-tracking approval of emergency loans up to $3,000 with payments suspended for six months. In addition, we are speeding up the approval process for short-term emergency cash grants to cover rent, utilities and food.

Last week we shared news of the formation of Federation’s Coronavirus Crisis Response Task Force to give guidance to our community-wide strategies and decision-making now and in the future. Already, Federation has made critically needed cash available to our three JCCs (North Dade, South Dade and Miami Beach) to help them continue their operations, which have moved largely online, and to maintain their basic infrastructure enabling them to fully serve our community after this crisis ends.

JCS is Federation’s primary human services agency, charged with ensuring that everyone in the community in need receives assistance. In particular, JCS is now providing services to over 600 Holocaust Survivors with in-home care from carefully screened and trained aides who take the utmost health and safety precautions.

The JCS Kosher Food Bank now has drive-up distribution of groceries, rather than having clients “shop” in the facility. More than 500 low-income seniors now receive home delivered meals, and will receive them during Passover, rather than at congregate meal sites daily. Providing increased nutritional support to a growing number of new clients as a result of the crisis, including those with children who used to access meals at school, is of great importance.

While we continue to monitor and assess the needs of our community, we are also working on another front with The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) as part of the “Big-18,” a coalition of the largest non-profits in the U.S. to advocate and safeguard programs, services and funding that are so vital to the well-being of communities everywhere.

AS PASSOVER APPROACHES…

We said this in last week’s update and it bears repeating as we enter the holiday of the Jewish people’s redemption, retelling the story of the exodus from Egypt and our collective triumph over adversity. Using the analogy of a large communal table, there is a place for everyone at Federation always. Our Mission, and the heart of our work, is to care for those in need and strengthen Jewish life. This is the moment in the history where an organized and collective response to vast challenges must be met with unity of purpose. This holds true for our Jewish family here, in Israel and around the world during this global crisis.

We continue to pray for refuah shlemah for the growing number of people affected by this and other illnesses. Please remain mindful in following CDC guidelines on how best to stay healthy.

Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach. A happy and kosher Passover to you and your loved ones.

Wishing you a peaceful and restful Shabbat. Stay safe and healthy.