CLEVELAND – Madeline (Maddie) McCann, 10, of Beachwood has been selected to join the national PJ Our Way Design Team, a prestigious position through the PJ Our Way program that gives young people the opportunity to develop leadership skills, while connecting with other pre-teens across the country.

We are proud to be part of our national system, the Jewish Federations of North America, which represents 153 Jewish Federations and 300 independent network communities across North America. At this year’s General Assembly, a premiere leadership experience for engaged Federation volunteers and professionals, Federations from across North America shared their programs and innovations that are making their community stronger.

What is the GA? Every year, our partner, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), annually hosts the General Assembly.

Federation staff and community members show their #JewishCleveland pride at the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly!

Federation staff and community members show their #JewishCleveland pride at the GA Opening Plenary!

I had the perfect costume this Halloween. It looked great, was easy, and didn’t cost a fortune. Is it something you would wear? Probably not. Was it sewn perfectly and did it have all the best accessories? No. But, it was perfect for me.

Jewish Clevelander Alexandra is in St. Petersburg, Russia. She is a JDC Entwine volunteer with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Commmitee (JDC), a Federation partner, teaching English and Hebrew to local students participating in a joint YESOD/Jewish Agency camp called TIUL International.

Barry Feldman, Chair of the St. Petersburg Partnership Subcommittee, shared the following message to his fellow volunteer leaders serving on the Federation's Overseas Connections Committee. We invite you to read his message, and be inspired by the work that we do in our sister city of St. Petersburg, Russia to renew Jewish life where it was once forbidden.

One of my first memorable Federation experiences was when I went on a young adult mission to Israel 11 years ago. I’d never been to Israel. I was hesitant to leave my children but something in me said “just go, it will be worth it.” And, it was! Israel was simply beautiful. It moved me.