On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, we express our collective feelings of anguish and outrage at the horrific and hateful attack which took place in the overnight hours between Saturday night, June 11 and Sunday morning, June 12 in Orlando. The massacre at Pulse nightclub, which left 49 innocent people dead and scores injured, was clearly an attack against America and the values of diversity, inclusion, tolerance and respect that we strive to embrace in our finer moments. More than that, however, it was also an attack specifically against members of the LGBT community. Read more.

Five local organizations have joined Federation’s family of partner agencies receiving funding from the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign for 2016-2017. The Friendship Circle Miami, the Friendship Circle of Miami Beach and North Dade, the Jewish Student Union of NCSY, Limmud Miami and The Tribe have all received Federation incubator grants for the past three years to support creative programs that respond to previously unmet needs or serve unique populations in Miami. Each has demonstrated great success with its programming, making a real and measurable impact on these diverse populations and our Jewish community. Learn more.

Hurricane season is here, and Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center is seeking compassionate, helpful people to join the 2016 Jewish Volunteer Emergency Response Team (JVERT) and assist our community in case of a disaster. Whether you own a truck, are handy with a saw, are good at organizing others, or have other important skills or resources, all volunteers with a “can-do” attitude are invited! Click here to learn more and register for JVERT by July 1. For further information, call 786.866.8680.

Moms, dads and grandparents can keep up with the latest news and events from PJ Library of Miami, thanks to a new Facebook page created just for them. The page features information about PJ Library, PJ Our Way, Russian-Speaking PJ Library Miami, and much more for anyone who loves kids! PJ Library started as an opportunity to share values and ideas through free Jewish-themed books for the very youngest children, and has since grown to a community phenomenon – reaching more than 3,100 Miami-Dade children every month. In Miami, PJ Library is a gift from Federation made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Blank Family Foundation.

Miami’s Jewish community is here to help 24 hours a day. If you or someone you know is in need of emergency financial assistance, food, bereavement support, counseling, domestic abuse assistance or facing other challenges, call 305.576.6550. Operated by Federation’s partner agency, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), this confidential helpline can guide you to the services and information you need.