Every year, our community comes together as one to raise money for the Campaign for Jewish Needs: the annual fundraising campaign that ensures our community’s vitality and vibrancy in the year ahead. We work together to make the world better. This year, we need to do a little bit more.

Rebecca Heller of Moreland Hills has been named the 2015 recipient of the Ruby Bass Award, honoring her volunteerism and dedication to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Heller was presented with the award at the Federation’s Lion of Judah Annual Dinner on September 24.

Growing up in Columbus, my family was not nearly as involved in our Jewish community as I am today.

"Today I have courage,” Sima Goldrich told me. She is an ultra-Orthodox (haaredi) woman who is learning about women’s health – her own health – through a program funded by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Campaign for Jewish Needs.

I am Daniel Pearlman and I grew up here, in Solon. From an early age, my identity was shaped by the Jewish Cleveland community. I went to preschool at Jewish Day Nursery, affiliated with Bellefaire, a Federation partner. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. All I knew was that I loved the environment around me. Even today, I am still close with some of my preschool friends.

In the early 20th century my great-great grandfather Ya’akov Kopleman left Lithuania for the Promised Land and became one of Israel’s first settlers.

Meet Becky and Daniel. They are emerging leaders in our Jewish community. We thank them for speaking out for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. They are building Jewish identity, and it’s more important than ever.

Thursday, September 10, 2015 marks the launch of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2016 Campaign for Jewish Needs, which is the annual fundraising Campaign that supports our community’s vitality and vibrancy in the year ahead. The event is open to the public. Doors open 7:00 p.m. on September 10, 2015 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center (26001 S. Woodland Road in Beachwood).

Just a year ago, Marci and Mark were busy young parents whose days revolved around their kids. Then the unexpected happened. Marci and her two boys returned from the park to find Mark unconscious. He had suffered a pulmonary embolism, and died 72 hours later.