News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Support the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Give Miami Day, Thursday, November 19 — one of the largest annual fundraising events in the country — and make your generosity go even further.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Federation and our partners have been providing lifesaving support for more than 6,500 internally displaced people, including Alex and his family.

Registration is now open for Birthright Israel Onward, when you will spend eight weeks living like a local, building your resume and exploring everything Israel has to offer. From May 24 through July 18, 2027, participants ages 18-26 will work alongside Israeli peers in tech companies, creative agencies, investment firms and other industries in the heart of Tel Aviv. You will also take part in eye-opening day trips, overnight journeys and exciting seminars.

Holocaust Education Week was an extraordinary week of learning, remembrance and community engagement in Jewish Miami. The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach welcomed nearly 200 City of Miami Beach employees for antisemitism awareness training; presented screenings with the Miami Jewish Film Festival as part of Screening the Holocaust series and heard powerful testimony from 104-year-old Lucy Lowell at the Kristallnacht community commemoration.

Mark your calendar for the Annual Israel and Jewish Community Days at the Florida Capitol, Monday, March 8-Tuesday March 9, 2027. Join Jewish Miami, represented by Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, for two impactful days of advocacy and support for the Florida-Israel relationship.

New grants totaling $115,000 were recently approved by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Committee for five Israeli nonprofits that provide nutritious food and essential assistance to vulnerable people of all ages.

“Our mission to Morocco reminded us that our story is one of resilience and unwavering commitment to Jewish identity,” said Greater Miami Jewish Federation General Campaign Chair Elise Udelson, who co-chaired the journey with husband Ronny.

BeWell Miami’s Third Annual Youth Mental Health Summit was a resounding success, welcoming more than 200 attendees from across Jewish Miami. This year’s theme, From Algorithms to Emotions: Youth Mental Health in a Digital World, explored how young people are navigating an increasingly complex world with an impressive lineup of speakers, engaging breakout sessions, opportunities for teens to share their perspectives and resources for families and professionals.

PJ Library and Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center are seeking parents and grandparents to share the magic of Chanukah with students in public and private secular schools from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 11.

Federation is enhancing public spaces to meet the needs of Israel’s growing population of older adults who may be facing functional limitations, loneliness and a lack of socialization.

The Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach has organized a commemoration of Kristallnacht — the Night of Broken Glass — on Monday, November 9 to remember and honor the victims of antisemitic pogroms that devastated Jewish communities throughout Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938.

Jewish Miami extends our heartfelt gratitude to Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski for calling on Catholics to stand with their Jewish brothers and sisters during this time of increased antisemitism.

Israel’s robust democracy was on full display during this week’s national election — the first to occur since Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks on October 7. Citizens turned out in droves to exercise their right to vote with voter turnout reaching nearly 78 percent in what many are calling the most crucial election in the country’s history.

Federation’s Israel & Overseas Committee recently approved $150,000 in new grants to six Israeli nonprofits that support inclusion and greater independence for people with disabilities in a variety of settings.

Early Voting for the 2026 Midterm General Election is now open across Miami-Dade County through Sunday, November 1. For a complete Early Voting schedule and voting site names and addresses, click here.

In Federation’s longstanding commitment to empowering Ethiopian-Israelis, our Israel and Overseas Committee recently approved $175,000 in new grants to six programs. For more than two decades, Federation-funded initiatives have expanded access to education, employment and economic independence for thousands of Ethiopian-Israelis.

Who has inspired you to advance your Jewish philanthropy? For longtime Federation donor Dolly Harris, it was her lifelong friend, Irene Baros. Dolly recently endowed her Lion of Judah gift, becoming a Forever Lion and ensuring that her commitment to our Jewish community will continue forever.

Join the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach for the annual commemoration of Kristallnacht — the Night of Broken Glass — on Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m.