News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Join us! You’re invited to wish “L’Chaim to Lily!” at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Jungle Island. Chaired by Colleen and Richard Fain, the evening will allow us to honor and thank Lily Serviansky, our outgoing Board Chair, following two extraordinary years of service.

Federation is helping nearly 3,500 small and family-run businesses in Israel preserve their livelihoods and support the wider circle that depends on them — their employees, suppliers and the families behind every paycheck.

With hundreds of thousands of Israeli seniors isolated, lonely and worried about rocket attacks, the Federation-supported Connections 20-80 encourages vital relationships between young adults and these vulnerable older adults.

Last week’s Jewish Miami commemorations of Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days were enhanced by visits from two IDF soldiers with Shlichim B’Madim (Emissaries in Uniform).

The 30th Annual Ministering to the Elderly Conference will address family estrangement, which affects about one fourth of all Americans and can greatly impact the emotional, physical and financial health of seniors.

The staggering cost of fertility treatments can be a financial barrier to growing a family, which is why the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF) and Federation have partnered to launch the Surrogacy Grant Pilot program.

Calling all 10th- and 11th-grade Jewish leaders: Diller Teen Fellows is now accepting applications! Operated by CAJE | The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, a Federation agency, Diller Teen Fellows is a pluralistic program that fosters students’ personal growth, enables collaboration with others from diverse backgrounds and develops strong leadership skills.

Applications are now being accepted for rising Jewish 11^th and 12^th graders in South Dade to join the second cohort of the BeWell Miami South Dade Teen Wellness Fellowship.

With the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s continued support, Wings — a program that supports the needs of lone soldiers who serve in the IDF without any family in Israel — has expanded its vital services since the start of the war with Iran.

In conjunction with a small group of donors, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has paid off $200 million of unpaid medical debt held by more than 120,000 residents in Miami-Dade County. Unpaid medical debt creates tremendous burdens, including harassment by debt collectors, forgoing necessary medical care, pressure on other financial needs and general financial distress.

As Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah continues, many teenagers living in northern Israel have experienced significant schooling disruptions. Federation and our partners on the ground are responding by launching a new matriculation and resilience program for students living within a mile of the border.

Businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, along with her extended family, joined 800 volunteers from across Miami for the US kickoff of Good Deeds Day this past Sunday. Created by Arison in Israel 20 years ago, Good Deeds Day has become a global movement, now involving 115 countries worldwide.

Forever committed to Jewish Miami, Ariela and Gary Mars have endowed their Annual Federation Campaign gift through The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, making them Forever Pacesetters.

Stand Jewish Miami Proud with Israel at communitywide events honoring Israel’s fallen heroes and victims of terror and celebrating the 78th Israeli Independence Day. Show your support at this challenging time for our spiritual homeland and the Jewish people worldwide by participating in commemorations throughout Miami.

Young athletes from across Jewish Miami recently took to the field of the Miami Beach JCC for a Flag Football Tournament in memory of Yerucham’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

As Iranian airstrikes continue to rain down on Israel, Federation is helping impacted families with emergency housing and critical support through All the Way Home (Ad Habayit).

Join the US kick-off of International Good Deeds Day right here in Miami, this Sunday, April 12! Just a few spots remain available to volunteer locally on Good Deeds Day, an event started 20 years ago by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison and today involving communities across North America and 115 countries worldwide.

Jewish college and university students have until May 31 to apply for a 2026 Sylvia Tuman Scholarship. Administered by The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Sylvia Tuman Scholarship Program provides a limited number of grants to Jewish students in need of financial assistance.