Everything changed on October 7, 2023. Nothing will be the same. Ever. The grief, devastation, hurt, and anger we feel is palpable and visible. While our Israeli family – still reeling from the most atrocious of terror attacks – is now embroiled in a war against terror, we in Cleveland have our own fight.

Combating the hatred confronting the Jewish people has long been a top priority of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Whether it be helping to enhance local security to ensure Jewish Cleveland remains open and welcoming, providing educational programs that empower community members to stand up to anti-Jewish / anti-Israel rhetoric, or forging strong, supportive relationships across Greater Cleveland, Federation has been a driving force in the ongoing fight against antisemitism.

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association (JBBBSA) is a program through Federation beneficiary agency, Bellefaire JCB. JBBBSA was started a little over 100 years ago here in Cleveland that pairs a mentor and mentee - one older and one younger - who can benefit from an extra special person in their lives.

The Cleveland Jewish community has been instrumental in bringing Ethiopian Jews to Israel, and our support does not end there. Cleveland's sister communities of Beit Shean and the Valley of Springs are home to Beit Alfa absorption center.

KNOW ABUSETM was established in 2001, when employees at Federation beneficiary agency Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) were approached by adult domestic violence survivors. They told their JFSA social workers if they had learned about signs to look out for as teens, they may not have stayed in - or even gotten into these abusive relationships.

The Ukraine crisis isn’t going away — but neither are we. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland's international partner JDC is here for the long haul to support and sustain Jewish communities around the country and across the region.

We were there when research showed a definitive increase in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Zikaron BaSalon is an opportunity for Jewish Clevelanders in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to honor the victims and survivors of the Holocaust through personal conversations with a local Holocaust survivor. With the number of survivors declining, it's the responsibility of the second and third generations to continue telling these stories and keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

In November 2022, 25 teens and two ShinShinim (Israeli emissaries) from Jewish Cleveland traveled through Atlanta, Montgomery, and Birmingham to discuss the Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

Alyson’s Place is a medical clinic imbedded into Jewish Family Service Association. Alyson's Place provides easy access to clients of JFSA, bringing together professionals and staff well-versed in people with diverse needs.