News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Teaching daily at the same Miami school for 60 years, 89-year-old Joan Kasner sets an example for her commitment to helping others, which is also evident in her longtime philanthropic support of Federation and our Jewish community.

Jewish Federations are appalled, outraged and disgusted by Hamas’ cruel and deceitful psychological warfare against the Bibas family, the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

More than 100 participants came together last weekend for the first annual Kindness Day at the J, a joint program between Federation Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) and Alper JCC Miami.

Through Federation’s sustained support, Leket Israel is having a greater impact on combating food insecurity following the Knesset’s recent passage of a new law requiring surplus food redistribution.

Super Sunday is next weekend, and hundreds of volunteers from Jewish Miami will come together to make calls and raise critical funds for the 2025 Federation Campaign during our largest annual phonathon, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Federation is assisting thousands of traumatized survivors of the October 7 terrorist attack. Within the first weeks of the Israel-Hamas war, Federation-funded ELI Wartime Response began providing vital trauma relief, as well as long-term therapeutic intervention, impacting 2,000 survivors and evacuees.

In partnership with The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), Federation is proud to present Israel at a Crossroads: Three Dilemmas for the Jewish State on Sunday, March 9, 5-6:30 p.m., at Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center.

Federation has been awarded $200,000 to continue its critical support of programming and social services for Holocaust Survivors and trauma care for diverse older adults in Miami. The funds are part of a $3.3 million federal grant from the Administration for Community Living, secured through Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

Can you imagine anything better than traveling through Israel with a group of your peers from Miami? Applications are now being accepted for this summer’s Miami community Birthright Israel trip, June 15-26.

Hundreds of volunteers of all ages will come together at Federation on Sunday, February 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Super Sunday – our largest annual phonathon, making calls to raise vital dollars for the 2025 Federation Campaign.

As our beloved hostages return home, Federation is supporting their recovery and reintegration into Israeli society. We anxiously await the release of three more hostages tomorrow, along with all of our Israeli brothers and sisters who remain in captivity.

Jewish Miami was loud and proud at The Main Event last Sunday, where the Greater Miami Jewish Federation debuted our new Jewish Miami Proud video to a record-breaking crowd of 1,700 people.

Do you or someone you know need help paying for college? JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund), a Federation partner agency, provides need-based zero percent-interest loans for Jewish undergrad, graduate and vocational students.

Federation recently allocated nearly $370,000 to nine diverse Israeli nonprofits from the $30 million Israel Emergency Fund (IEF) raised in Miami. The Vertigo Dance Company will utilize the emergency grant for therapeutic workshops for IDF reservists and their families at its Resilience Farm, an “eco-art” village connecting art, dance and environmental awareness to spiritual growth and social change.

JFNA is overjoyed to welcome home Arbel Yehud, Gadi Mozes and Agam Berger, as well as five Thai nationals, after a horrific 482 days held in Hamas captivity.

Federation is a proud sponsor of Z3, a one-day conference dedicated to understanding the evolving nature of Zionism, taking place Sunday, March 2 at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC. The event fosters dialogue between American Jews and Israelis, facilitates discussions on complex topics and explores contemporary Jewish identity.

Join your Jewish community on Sunday, February 9 for With Roots in Heaven: Healing on Earth Pre-Tu B’Shevat Seder, presented by Federation’s Mishkan Miami. Taking place at Federation and chaired by Joy Spill, the program will feature a festive and mystical ceremony with song, fruits of the land of Israel, prayer and reflection based on a joyous Tu B’Shevat Haggadah.

Federation's Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) is bringing issues of equal access to the forefront throughout February — Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM).