As Lydia Yomtovian Frankel watched thousands of athletes march into Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem sporting their country’s colors, listened to several Israeli artists perform on stage and was dazzled by the fireworks and pyrotechnics that accompanied the opening of the Maccabiah Games on July 1, she felt a variety of emotions coursing through her.

In response to rising concerns about community safety, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, in partnership with JFC Security, LLC, launched a pilot program to train volunteer security teams at local synagogues. The initiative equips community members to support professional security staff by providing additional eyes and ears to monitor potential threats and respond effectively during emergencies.

Sirens, uncertainty, and constant updates became the backdrop of what was supposed to be a 10-day educational journey across Israel. Last June, 26 Cleveland Jewish teens traveled to Israel with israel.cleveland.next (icnext), but on June 13, as fighting escalated across multiple fronts, their experience shifted dramatically. Bringing them home immediately became the top priority. While awaiting evacuation, icnext staff and chaperones created engaging programming and provided support to keep teens calm amid the backdrop of war.

Following a successful Campaign For Jewish Needs which raised $39,035,018 for the community, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Board of Trustees approved allocations for fiscal year 2026-2027 at its June 23 meeting, marking increased investments in local beneficiary agencies serving children, older adults and vulnerable community members, community security and overseas humanitarian needs.

On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, “We the people” prepare to flood America’s suburban neighborhoods, from the mountains to the prairies, with firecrackers, star-spangled swimsuits and the smell of a good, old-fashioned American barbeque. A nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary, after all, must not pass by without a fireworks display.

Summer is in full swing, and there are plenty of ways to connect with Jewish Cleveland this month. Whether you're looking to volunteer, spend time with family, explore Israeli art and culture, or meet new people, July offers meaningful opportunities for all ages and interests. We hope you'll join us at one (or more!) of these upcoming events.

Thanks to our community's generosity to the annnual Campaign for Jewish Needs, Federation-supported Jewish day schools like Hebrew Academy of Cleveland are able to provide innovative educational opportunities that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and leadership. These investments help ensure students have the tools, resources, and experiences they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Jewish Federation of Cleveland has been working on some changes to our online experiences to continue to grow and meet the needs of our community. We wanted to provide this update to help you stay informed and comfortable interacting with these new tools.

Common misconceptions about legacy giving can sometimes stand in the way of donors having the experience of creating meaningful plans which put their values into action. Legacy gifts do not have to be fixed and final, or complex and procedural.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) partnered on a program that gives audiology care access to individuals who might not otherwise have the ability to receive that care on their own.