Bill Jones is a consummate volunteer now that he retired from his profession in sales and marketing in the polymer chemistry industry. Always up for new adventures, Bill recently returned from the Federation's Volunteer Beit Shean 2-week program in Israel.

In 2004, I moved to Cleveland, clad with a winter coat that more resembled a sleeping bag than any sort of shapely outerwear, nostalgic memories of a sun tan, and the phone number of some distant relatives. I knew no one else.

An afternoon to remember! More than 800 Jewish Cleveland women gathered in celebration at the Women's Spring Luncheon, featuring Cleveland native and COO of Instagram, Inc. Marne Levine.

Mazel Tov to The Gathering Place Warehouse’s Terrific Trio – Ellen Neye, Margo Roth, and Marcia Schumann – this year’s recipient of the Irene Zehman Award for excellence in volunteer service. Learn more about the Terrific Trio’s accomplishments in this short video.

Shavuot, which begins on the evening of May 23, is also known as Chag HaBikkurim, which celebrates the season’s harvest of its first and best fruits. In ancient times, farmers would tie reeds around the first ripening fruits and grains in their fields. The designated produce, called bikkurim, was harvested upon ripening. Following harvest, the farmers made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem for Shavuot where each farmer presented his bikkurim to a priest. During the presentation ceremony the farmer thanked G-d for his sustenance provided by nature.

So there I was, uncomfortably staring down a plate of cheez-it dusted tostadas with a garlic spinach remoulade and spicy mustard emulsion. Grandma’s brisket and matzah ball soup this was not.

There is no greater mitzvah (good deed) than honoring those who came before us! Thank you to the many volunteers who joined together for our Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) and Commission on Cemetery Preservation (COCP) annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup. From across the community, came young and old alike, spending their Sunday raking, pruning, and beautifying the 124 year-old Lansing Cemetery.

Who is Omer? Sounds familiar. Hmm. Is he that Israeli who played for the Cavs while LeBron was in Miami? Nah, that’s Omri. Omri Caspi. So, who is Omer?