News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

As our beloved hostages return home, Federation is supporting their recovery and reintegration into Israeli society. We anxiously await the release of three more hostages tomorrow, along with all of our Israeli brothers and sisters who remain in captivity.

Jewish Miami was loud and proud at The Main Event last Sunday, where the Greater Miami Jewish Federation debuted our new Jewish Miami Proud video to a record-breaking crowd of 1,700 people.

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 undergrad, graduate and vocational students.

Federation recently allocated nearly $370,000 to nine diverse Israeli nonprofits from the $30 million Israel Emergency Fund (IEF) raised in Miami. The Vertigo Dance Company will utilize the emergency grant for therapeutic workshops for IDF reservists and their families at its Resilience Farm, an “eco-art” village connecting art, dance and environmental awareness to spiritual growth and social change.

JFNA is overjoyed to welcome home Arbel Yehud, Gadi Mozes and Agam Berger, as well as five Thai nationals, after a horrific 482 days held in Hamas captivity.

Federation is a proud sponsor of Z3, a one-day conference dedicated to understanding the evolving nature of Zionism, taking place Sunday, March 2 at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC. The event fosters dialogue between American Jews and Israelis, facilitates discussions on complex topics and explores contemporary Jewish identity.

Join your Jewish community on Sunday, February 9 for With Roots in Heaven: Healing on Earth Pre-Tu B’Shevat Seder, presented by Federation’s Mishkan Miami. Taking place at Federation and chaired by Joy Spill, the program will feature a festive and mystical ceremony with song, fruits of the land of Israel, prayer and reflection based on a joyous Tu B’Shevat Haggadah.

Federation's Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) is bringing issues of equal access to the forefront throughout February — Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM).

Registration is now open for Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day on Sunday, February 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Gather your friends and family to give back at our largest phonathon and make phone calls on behalf of the 2025 Greater Miami Jewish Federation Campaign.

Nearly 60 Miami Lions of Judah joined 1,700 of the most dedicated women philanthropists at the International Lion of Judah conference over three powerful and emotional days last week in Atlanta.

Israeli nonprofit and Federation Women’s Amutot Initiative (WAI) recipient ItWorks is a shining example of how Federation support can help improve the lives of Israeli women. The organization, which equips marginalized populations with employable skills, has shifted some of its focus on efforts to train women impacted by the war.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is overjoyed to welcome home Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen after 471 days in captivity and remains committed to helping them and other released hostages and their families reintegrate into Israeli society.

Fourteen nonprofits have been selected to receive a total of $80,000 in 2025 Jewish Incubator Grants from Federation's Annual Campaign. Established 11 years ago, Jewish Incubator Grants provide funding to organizations, synagogues, agencies and schools to develop innovative and/or impactful programs, services, projects and technologies that support and enrich Miami’s Jewish community.

Two young Jewish Agency Israel Fellows are connecting with college students at the Hillels at FIU and UM as emissaries to help students feel empowered against antisemitism and expand their love of Israel.

Do you have an idea for a meaningful Miami-Yerucham Partnership project that will bring members of the two communities together? Proposals are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 grant year. Since the Partnership’s creation in 2007, residents of all ages from Miami and Yerucham have engaged in a wide range of educational, cultural and social projects and events that help participants learn about life in the other community and explore common goals.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation Young Leadership Division (YLD) is hosting its Third Annual Masquerade Ball Fundraiser on Saturday, March 1. Chaired by Isaac and Eliana Mizrahi, the evening will bring together Jewish Miami’s next generation of leaders. Come ready for a night of dancing and giving back to the community.

Jewish Federations welcome news of a deal to release dozens of hostages, create a framework for releasing all the hostages, and allow Israel a path forward to protect the safety and security of its citizens

This year’s Women’s Amutot Initiative (WAI) grant recipients received more than $350,000, reflecting Federation’s unwavering commitment to champion marginalized female populations across Israel.