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Apr 27, 2022

Hibuki Puppets Bring Comfort to Displaced Ukrainian Child

For nearly 20 years, Hibuki, a frowning stuffed puppy with extra-long, made-for-snuggling limbs, has brought comfort to more than 100,000 Israeli children traumatized by war, rocket explosions and terrorist attacks. Now this unique mental health tool, created by Federation overseas partner the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, is bringing relief to Ukrainian children running from war. Although the situations surrounding the children’s trauma are very different, their fears and anxieties are the same. As they bond with Hibuki, whose name loosely translates to “Huggy” in Hebrew, they project their feelings onto him and realize they aren’t alone. Soon enough, the children focus their attention on caring for the puppy rather than their own trauma. Numerous studies have proven the benefits of Hibuki in lessening the anxiety and depression in the children who receive them. While a puppet factory in Lviv has agreed to manufacture the puppets, in a remarkable act of chesed, Israeli parents are passing on their children’s Hibukis to a new group of children in need.

Summer Camp Scholarships

Summer Camp Scholarships

There is still time to apply for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s overnight camp assistance programs — One Happy Camper and Jewish Overnight Summer Camp Scholarships.

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Yodeah

Yodeah

Did you know one of every 40 Jewish men and women of Ashkenazi ancestry carries the BRCA genetic mutation, which leads to an increased lifetime risk of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and other cancers?

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Work for Repair the World

Work for Repair the World

Repair the World, an organization mobilizing Jews and their communities to pursue a just world, is hiring emerging professionals for their 2023-2025 fellowship.

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Ukrainian Refugees in US

Ukrainian Refugees in US

As a direct result the Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) advocacy on behalf of Ukrainian refugees whose immigration parole is expiring, the Biden Administration announced last week that those who entered the US at the Mexican border may remain here for another year.

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