As a member of the Federation's Overseas Connections Committee (OCC), and former Roslyn Z. Wolf JDC International Fellows stationed in St. Petersburg, Russia back in 2006-2007, my husband Matt and I have seen firsthand the life-changing work that the Cleveland Jewish community conducts through its partnership overseas in Russia. However, we recently had a chance to see first-hand the work that our community does to support our other sister city in Beit Shean, Israel.

Judaism has a lot of interesting connections to baseball.

Every summer, 1,500 young Jews from 20 countries travel to rural Hungary to attend Camp Szarvas. Funded in part by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Federation partner agency, Szarvas merges the fun of sleepaway camp with the celebration of Jewish peoplehood.

Many people ask me, “What can I do with all the beautiful honey I have left over after Rosh Hashanah?”

There’s nothing like fall family fun!

Thank you: two simple words with tremendous meaning. Thank you for being part of our community. Thank you for raising your children with us. Thank you for being with us.

My husband and I took a weekend getaway to Toronto. Crossing the Peace Bridge into Canada, it struck me how only one lane was allowing entry into the United States, while several lanes were entering Canada. I wondered, “How welcoming does it feel to those who wish to enter the United States?”

During the High Holiday season, we talk about teshuva or repentance. But what is it exactly? Teshuva actually means "return" in the context of returning from doing wrong.

I am the new Young Family Engagement Manager at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. I am a mom of two amazing daughters. We have lived a few places, including Israel and I’m excited to now be in Cleveland. I’m looking forward to connecting with other young Jewish Cleveland families!