News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Mazal tov to the teens who represented Miami’s three Jewish community centers and competed in the 2022 JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego. Teams from the Miami Beach JCC (MBJCC), Michael-Ann Russell JCC (MARJCC) and Alper JCC made our community proud in basketball, volleyball, flag football, tennis, dance and more.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) condemn in the strongest possible terms the barrage of hundreds of rockets fired from Gaza into Israel over the last several days by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist organization whose ideals are inspired by the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Federation leadership recently returned from a powerful visit to the frontlines of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Women’s Philanthropy Campaign Chair Elise Udelson and Director Ofi Osin-Cohen were among 34 representatives from Jewish communities across North America who traveled to Poland to meet with refugees.

Following five months of images and videos coming out of Ukraine, now you can hear firsthand reports from three people who have personally helped or met with refugees and those on the ground in Ukraine and Poland.

More than 1,550 amazing young Israelis are spending their summer as counselors, Israeli culture specialists, song leaders and more at Jewish summer camps across North America.

Registration is now open for the 20th anniversary year of Milk & Honey Volunteer Drive-Thru & Drop-Off, taking place Sunday, September 18, presented by Jewish Community Services of Florida (JCS) and Federation.

Even in summertime, the needs of our Jewish community don't take a vacation. With all that is going on in the world right now — rising incidents of antisemitism and hate, the high cost of daily living, the refugee crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and so much more — we must remain vigilant and ready to help at all times.

You’re invited to experience Israel like you’ve never dreamed it on Federation’s Israel 75 Miami Mega Mission, April 20-27, 2023. Nearly 700 people have already registered, and the excitement around the journey is palpable.

If you’re the grandchild of a Holocaust Survivor, 3GMiami wants to train you to share your grandparent’s story with new generations, educating them about the dangers of intolerance and its impact on the Jewish people.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation joins our Jewish community in mourning the loss of Rav Pinchas Aharon Weberman, President of the Orthodox Council of South Florida and Founder of Congregation of Ohev Shalom, who selflessly served the Miami Beach community for more than six decades.

Pack up the kids and head to the Alper JCC for a fun-filled pre-Shabbat pool party with PJ Library on Friday, August 5, 5-6:30 p.m.! Meet poolside to celebrate Shabbat with a swim, snack and storytime.

The Annual Israel Mini Mission this past Wednesday was a whirlwind day tour of Federation-funded organizations, acquainting Israeli Miamians who return home for the summer with some of our vital work in the Jewish homeland.

Federation is now accepting applications for three 2023 grant opportunities: Jewish Incubator Grants, Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance Inclusion Grants and Women’s Impact Initiative Grants.

When you make a donation to Federation's Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund, your contribution makes it possible for a network of global humanitarian aid and international development organizations to provide assistance to thousands of refugees in dire need of help.

Through Operation Zur Israel, thousands of Ethiopian Jews are making aliyah this year and reuniting with loved ones already in Israel. Many have waited decades, enduring hardships and struggling to hold on to hope, for the day they would get to go to Israel.

Federation is seeking warm and supportive host families for two 18-year-old Israeli emissaries dedicated to making a difference in Miami's Jewish community. In our ongoing commitment to connect Miami’s Jewish community with the people of Israel, we are proud to be bringing back the Shinshinim program to Miami.

Yerucham, Miami’s partnership city in Israel's Negev, is a can't-miss destination, and has been busy this summer hosting many groups from our community! With numerous programs funded by the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign and a wide variety of up-and-coming business ventures, there is plenty to see and do.

“I didn’t always live a Jewish life,” says Yelena Sorokina, a resident of Odesa, Ukraine. “My father’s family died during the Second World War, and my parents had to evacuate. I didn’t really have a Jewish upbringing.