News from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

It was “One Great Night for Community” and “One Great Night for Israel” as nearly 1,000 Miamians came together to celebrate community and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

The countdown is on: Only 62 days left to go before the opening of our Israel 75 Miami Mega Mission! Will you be there? More than 800 people have already registered for what is sure to be the celebration of a lifetime, taking place April 20-27.

Are you looking to expand your circle of friends and meet like-minded individuals in the Miami area? Whether you’re a recent college grad or a more established professional, Federation’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) is offering a unique opportunity to connect with your peers through Newish and Jewish.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) commend Scheck Hillel Community School and the Archdiocese of Miami for their swift response to a physical altercation during a soccer match between Scheck Hillel and Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School. In addition to the physical violence, there have been numerous allegations of antisemitic gestures and language, and we understand that both schools are aggressively investigating the incident. We are grateful that both administrations have demonstrated zero tolerance for violence and any expressions of antisemitism or hate that may have occurred. The rising tide of antisemitism in South Florida and around the world is a serious issue, and we deplore any and all expressions of antisemitism and hatred. It is never acceptable. We will work in partnership with Scheck Hillel to support them in any and every way possible and to make sure that their students and families – and all Jewish people in Miami-Dade County – feel safe living openly as proud Jewish people.

Volunteer for Super Sunday, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s largest fundraising day of the year, on Sunday, March 12, either in person at one of four Miami-Dade locations or via Zoom.

With tens of thousands of people dead and more than 1 million displaced by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, humanitarian organizations, including many Federation partners, are working diligently to help individuals and families affected by this heartbreaking situation.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Miami (HFLA) has increased personal loan amounts for Israel educational programs such as March of the Living and Alexander Muss High School in Israel.

More than four days after devastating earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, leaving more than 20,000 dead and 1 million displaced, we are still witnessing miraculous rescues of individuals being pulled from the rubble.

It’s not too late to register for The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, taking place on Monday, February 20 at the Loews Hotel Miami Beach! Chaired by Lesley Goldwasser and Jonathan Plutzik, the evening will honor Daniel Lewis, visionary philanthropist and venturous changemaker, champion of equity and social justice for all, steadfast friend of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide, with our 2023 Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award.

Miami’s three Jewish community centers (JCCs), beneficiaries of Federation's Annual Campaign, are now accepting registration for 2023 summer camp programs for children. The Dave and Mary Alper JCC in South Dade is offering Camp J Miami, June 19-August 4, for youngsters ages 6 weeks to 15 years old.

“Just a few hours ago, I was writing an email to my friends and colleagues from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation to thank them for their support for the Fund for Victims of Terror. And then I opened the news to see a terrible terrorist attack in Jerusalem.”

In addition to their vital work in Israel, many of Federation’s partner organizations —supported by your donations to the Annual Campaign — are responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the surrounding region thanks to funding from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Ukraine Emergency Campaign.

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM). In the days and weeks ahead, numerous local and national organizations are offering programming to inform and educate participants of all ages and provide opportunities for advocacy.

Deputy Consul General of Israel for Florida Mike Driquez and members of the Miami-based Israeli Consulate staff helped serve more than 520 families at Federation's Free Kosher Food Distribution Drive-Thru last week.

With Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month beginning on February 1, Federation is honored to support the work of three vital Israeli organizations that address the needs of people with disabilities.

Federation continues to inspire and empower Jewish women and girls to improve our community and work toward social, economic, religious and political equality, this time through our Women’s Impact Initiative grants.

Holocaust Survivors who have yet to record video testimony of their Holocaust-era experiences are urged to participate in the Last Chance Testimony Collection Initiative, a program of the University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation dedicated to permanently archiving Survivors’ personal stories to educate people around the world.

Come together to celebrate your Jewish community and the State of Israel’s 75th anniversary at The Main Event of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation on Monday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.