News From the Greater Miami Jewish Federation

The winter edition of Szarvas International Jewish Youth Camp recently came to a close, leaving hundreds of campers with big smiles and memories that will last a lifetime. Federation’s longtime overseas partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, created Szarvas, located in rural Hungary, to address the needs of a growing population of Jews seeking to learn about their roots after the fall of Communism.

Participate in the Miami Jewish Community Study. The Miami-Dade Jewish Community Study is a once-a-decade study sponsored by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago.

According to the CDC, one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the fastest-growing developmental disability in the US. Working to transform awareness of disabilities into action and support, Federation’s Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) has partnered with local synagogues and Jewish agencies to offer community events throughout the month of April, Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month.

As Israeli famers begin the planting season this month, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) have provided $12.5 million to help those in the devastated western Negev communities purchase vital agricultural equipment.

Students entering their sophomore and junior years of high school are invited to apply for the Stephen Muss Impact Fellowship, a program that offers individual $15,000 scholarships to Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI).

With tremendous gratitude to the Miami Beach Police Department for its unwavering commitment to protecting the Jewish community — particularly since October 7 — Federation, its Office of Community Security and Jewish Community Relations Council have written a letter of appreciation to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and the Miami Beach Commissioners.

While much of the immediate and critical needs of Israelis are being addressed following the terror attacks on October 7, there remains a long road to economic recovery. In every sector, from agriculture to high tech, tens of thousands of businesses have closed, and micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses have been the hardest hit.

As thousands of IDF reservists continue to report for duty, nonprofit HaOgen has deployed thousands of women volunteers to provide hands-on help for families separated by the war.

“Even though we have kept in close contact with our recipient organizations since October 7, nothing is as healing as an in-person hug,” said Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Women’s Amutot Initiative Committee Chair Ilene Kossman, who participated in last week’s Women’s Amutot Initiative Study Trip and Solidarity Mission to Israel, March 17-21.

“It has been my privilege to play a meaningful role in what became my lifetime passion, the strengthening of the Jewish people, the Jewish community and Israel,” said Norman Lipoff, a past Chair of The Foundation and a past Federation President.

The Israeli National Council for the Child recently recognized more than 19,000 children as victims of terrorism since October 7, including approximately 7,200 of whom are aged five years and younger.

Your voice matters for the future of Miami's Jewish community! In order to better understand the demographics and needs of Miami’s Jewish population, every 10 years the Greater Miami Jewish Federation commissions a community-wide study.

Israeli women comprise more than 50 percent of the micro and small business owners in the country. As entrepreneurs, they are particularly vulnerable when the economy falters in times of war, as many are single mothers and families relying on their business as their sole source of income.

Help share the joy of Passover with Holocaust Survivors and other older adults in our community by participating in Matzah Mitzvah on Sunday, April 7 at 9 a.m. The much-loved, family-favorite event will bring together hundreds of individuals to package and deliver Passover food and personal hygiene baskets to more than 450 Holocaust Survivors and homebound older adults.

Do you or someone you know need help paying for college? JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund), a Federation partner agency, provides zero-percent-interest loans for Jewish undergrad, graduate and vocational students who demonstrate need.

This summer, Campers2Gether will provide 1,500 Israeli teens impacted by the war with a much-needed break and a chance to experience the support of Jewish communities around the world. The new initiative, led by Federation partner The Jewish Agency for Israel, will help the teens reimagine their lives in a loving and less stressful environment.

Imagine being pregnant and your partner is called to serve in Gaza, or worse, they are wounded or fall in battle. This is the heartbreaking reality for many Israeli women living through the Israel-Hamas War.

Thanks to the commitment of 500 dedicated volunteers and more than 950 generous donors, this year’s Super Sunday and Good Deeds Day was a super success! Together, more than $1 million was raised for the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign, supporting critical needs in Miami, in Israel and around the world.