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Dear Friend,
As a country and as a community, we continue to struggle to face our personal and institutional responsibilities to address systemic racism and inequality. This is a watershed moment in history as our nation confronts the outpouring of pain triggered by the hideous murder of George Floyd. Now is the time to unite in common cause to build and strengthen the very fabric of our society, and to reshape it in a more just and equitable manner, consistent with the highest ideals of our nation. We, along with other civic, ethnic and religious groups must jointly address the deeply entrenched prejudice in our world and the epidemic of hatred of all strains from which we all suffer.
Transformation begins with individual conversations and education that changes attitudes one by one. To this end, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation invites you to a virtual gathering – Together, in Common Cause: A Dialogue About Race | A Time for Understanding | A Time for Action. We will hear a range of voices addressing personal and organizational perspectives on racial justice from our Miami-Dade community partners. Please make every effort to join us on Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more information and to RSVP, please click here.
Earlier this week, on behalf of 10 organizations, Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Chair Tracey Spiegelman co-authored an Op-ed in the Miami Herald to collectively express our solidarity with the Black community. As stated in the piece, “We are commanded to listen to our partners…to hear their stories, understand their perspectives and work in partnership to create a more just and perfect world.” Click here to read the full article.
Even as we respond to these compelling community relations issues, the COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health threat and we are continuing to focus on emerging and urgent needs in our community. The Federation Coronavirus Crisis Response Task Force last week approved a grant of $584,501 to Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) to cover increased social service expenses in Miami-Dade, including additional food for the Kosher Food Bank, home-delivered meals, grocery gift cards for Holocaust Survivors and personal protective equipment for JCS staff working directly with clients. Please remember: if you or someone you know is facing difficulties, visit JewishMiami.org/covid19 or call our confidential helpline at 305.576.6550 for guidance. Calls are answered 24/7 every day of the year.
In addition, on Thursday, June 18 from 9-11 a.m., Federation will be hosting a drive-thru kosher food distribution program at our headquarters at 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. We are proud to partner with the JCS Kosher Food Bank and Feeding South Florida for this effort to bring relief to those who are hurting. Kindly click here for more information.
Finally, it is with sadness that we mourn the death of State Senator Gwen Margolis z”l, a trailblazing figure in Florida and in our Miami-Dade community. During her many decades in the State Legislature, Senator Margolis was a stalwart advocate of the Jewish community and a strong voice for our causes. A proud Lion of Judah, her leadership in support of Israel, fighting anti-Semitism and uplifting the most vulnerable among us, including our beloved Holocaust Survivors, was ingrained in her as a person and as a public servant. She leaves a legacy of love and devotion to her extended Jewish family and to our entire community.
We wish a refu’ah sh’lemah to all those people affected by COVID-19 and other illnesses and comfort for those who have lost loved ones. Please remember to exercise caution and observe CDC guidelines. Our Jewish community is only as strong as its members, so stay well!
Shabbat Shalom,
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Jeffrey Scheck
Chair of the Board |
Jacob Solomon
President & Chief
Executive Officer | |
© Greater Miami Jewish Federation
