10/28/2026
Federation’s Shabbat for Good Nov. 6-8
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by Casey Swinarski
Behind the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s title slogan “Here for Good” is another that ensures the success of the former – that Jewish Cleveland is “stronger together.”
Miller
More than a dozen synagogues across Greater Cleveland, from the east to the west side, will join the Federation for Shabbat for Good, a communitywide initiative to inspire volunteerism and philanthropy in support of the 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs, on the weekend of Nov. 6 to Nov. 8.
Jared Miller, a vice chair of the Campaign for Jewish Needs and chair of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, told the Cleveland Jewish News the goal of Shabbat for Good is to bring the community together toward a shared commitment with three different avenues of participation.
“We’re encouraging people to celebrate Shabbat in a way that’s meaningful to them, support our annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, and give back to the community,” Miller said.
Hoping to get people engaged, the citywide initiative will invite all ages to celebrate Shabbat in whatever way is meaningful to them.
“We’re going to have more than a dozen synagogues and Jewish organizations participating,” Miller said. “Each one will celebrate Shabbat in its own way, but we’re all coming together for a common purpose.”
Working toward that goal, the Federation will ask community members to get involved through a community outreach hour, in which volunteers will gather to secure campaign gifts and pledges.
“Our goal is to inspire 613 pledges representing the 613 mitzvot in the Torah,” Miller said. “It’s a meaningful way to connect our Jewish values with the work we do every day to strengthen our community.”
The volunteer slots will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building at 25701 Science Park Drive in Beachwood. Volunteers will connect with community members by telephone, text, email and social media to obtain gifts.
“Adults will participate in the outreach effort, but children can take part in a mitzvah project thanking the security officers who work everyday to keep our Jewish community safe,” Miller said.
Another way to get involved, Miller said, is to make a campaign gift or encourage a friend to make theirs.
“Whether it’s attending services or sharing a Shabbat dinner with family or friends, lighting candles, making a campaign gift, or volunteering, there’s ways for everyone to be involved,” he said. “You don’t need to belong to a synagogue or observe Shabbat in a particular way to participate. Every gift matters, every act of kindness matters, and everyone has a role to play.”
Miller said that he believes that each person has a responsibility to strengthen the community, so he hopes that individuals and families choose to participate in the initiative to make the collective giving more powerful.
“A strong Jewish community doesn’t happen by accident,” he said. “It happens because people care, people participate and people give back – and that’s what Shabbat for Good is all about.”
To volunteer for community outreach hours, visit shorturl.at/ojXLe to sign up.
