News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

With the body of Police Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili returned to his family earlier this week, there are no Israeli hostages in Gaza for the first time in 12 years. Ran was one of the first taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 and the last to be recovered.

The late Margaret Thatcher once said, “If you want something done, ask a woman” — and women across Israel’s North and western Negev are building their leadership roles through Federation support.

If you’ve heard about the Miami-Yerucham Partnership and have been eager to get involved, now is your chance to make an impact on residents of both communities. Applications are open for 2026-2027 grants supporting programs that foster people-to-people or organization-to-organization connections between Jewish Miami and our partner city in Israel’s Negev region.

Apply now for the Ella Riley Adler Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarship Program before the deadline of January 31. Federation offers two opportunities to help offset tuition costs for Miami-Dade County families: the Ella Riley Adler Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarship Program and One Happy Camper.

As the crisis in Ukraine continues, the Federation-supported Hesed Menachem Call Center reaches out regularly to isolated or homebound seniors. Ninety-four-year-old Ruziya is one of 300 elderly Ukrainian Jews identified as lacking care, connection and Jewish community simply because she can’t attend in-person activities.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is supporting 12 Jewish Miami organizations that encourage and inspire Jewish women and girls through the Women’s Impact Initiative.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) are disgusted and outraged by the playing of a “Heil Hitler” song at Vendôme, a Miami Beach nightclub, over the weekend — reportedly at the request of known virulently antisemitic influencers.

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 undergraduate, graduate and vocational students.

“Youth Futures helped me understand that I am the hero of my own story,” said Liat, a participant in the Federation-funded youth intervention program. Youth Futures Yerucham currently operates in four schools across our partner city in southern Israel.

Federation is strengthening Jewish identity and addressing community needs through our Jewish Incubator Grants Committee, which recently allocated $100,000 to 18 Miami organizations spearheading innovative programs.

If you're feeling the pain of higher than expected income taxes for 2025, a little planning today with The Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation could prevent more headaches next year.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council are horrified and angered at the arson attack on Mississippi's Beth Israel Congregation, the state's oldest synagogue and a staple of the Jewish community.

Food insecurity is one of the greatest challenges facing older adults in our community, which is why Federation supports programs like the JCS Senior Ride Program. Between fixed incomes, the high cost of groceries and limited access to transportation, seniors often have difficulty putting nutritious food in their pantries.

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Volunteer Center and Jewish Community Relations Council during an intergenerational, interfaith day of hands-on volunteering on Monday​, January ​19.

Your donation to Federation is helping address the ongoing educational challenges in Northern Israel. The strain of prolonged war, ongoing security threats and increased socio-economic instability have severely compromised schools in the region, also leaving communities struggling with widespread trauma.

Twenty-four nonprofits will receive a total of more than $350,000 in grants from Federation’s Women’s Amutot Initiative (WAI) to advance social, economic, religious and political equality for Israeli women.

The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), the world’s largest Jewish and Israeli film festival, proudly returns for its 29th edition, running January 14-29, with its most expansive lineup to date. This year’s festival will present 139 films from 20 countries — including 105 features and 34 shorts — featuring more than 80 filmmakers, stars and special guests in attendance.

More than 300 people joined Federation’s Jewish Volunteer Center to make the holiday season brighter for others across our community. During the 18th Annual Season for Giving, Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy sorted and packed toys for mothers and children at Lotus House and created collaged vision board frames with shelter residents.