Wondering what all the hype is about Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari? Now’s your chance to find out! Join the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Chairs Colleen and Richard Fain at The Main Event on Wednesday, February 15 at the Hilton Downtown Miami to witness a show-stopping performance by Ben-Ari. Recently chosen as one of the most influential Israelis living in the U.S. by Israeli news outlets Mako and Ynet, Ben-Ari has created her own unique sound by combining classical, soul and dance music. She has collaborated with many A-list musicians, including Alicia Keys, Jay Z, John Legend, Patti LaBelle and more. Prepare to be wowed! Click here to see Ben-Ari perform and here to RSVP.

Many of us have the privilege of looking back fondly on our summers at Jewish overnight camp and all they provided: the friendships, the self-discovery, and often, the spark for our Jewish pride. Recognizing that Jewish overnight camp is an important part of strengthening a child’s Jewish identity, Federation is once again helping Miami-area children ages 8 to 17 attend sleepaway camp by distributing need-based scholarships. Since 2002, the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign has allocated $100,000 annually to this initiative. Applications, due January 31, are available here.

Whether you are going through a difficult time or wish to provide comfort to someone who is, Federation’s Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support ensures you are never alone. Mishkan Miami’s caring corps of Jewish chaplains, rabbis and volunteers work year-round with doctors to provide holistic spiritual, mental and physical care to those who are lonely or ill. Learn more about how these techniques complement one another on Wednesday, January 25, when Dr. Joel Roffman will discuss his book, Making Every Day Count: A Jewish Doctor Confront His Illness, as a Mishkan Miami-sponsored part of the Jewish Book Series at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC. Federation chaplains will be present if you would like to learn more.

Did you know that 88 cents of every dollar donated to Federation goes directly to support more than 100 programs and agencies serving Jewish needs in Miami, Israel and around the world? That’s because volunteer leadership and efficient stewardship of funds are guiding principles of Federation. Click here to see the many ways your dollars are put to work. To make a donation, click here.

Despite the hardships of growing up in the war-torn areas of the former Soviet Union, teens in cities across the region are coming together to celebrate their Judaism. Federation’s overseas partner agency, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), has prioritized supporting Jewish teen life around the world. Collaborating with Federation-supported BBYO, the largest, pluralistic, Jewish teen movement, JDC created the Active Jewish Teens Network (AJT), an inclusive peer group that enables teens to explore and engage in Jewish community and form their Jewish identities. Approximately 3,000 teens from 55 cities across Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Kazakhstan participate in AJT.