Rachel Lieberman of Shaker Heights has been volunteering in Israel for the past six months through Masa Israel, a post-college service program, part of I-Connect, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Through Masa, Rachel is helping Ethiopian Israelis learn to read and write English at the Yahel Social Change Program in Ramat Eliyahu.

Gilad Benayahou wasn't supposed to join the IDF.

Jewish Cleveland knows how to party! Nearly 2000 community members joined together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 69th Independence Day, with a knockout performance by Israeli superstar Idan Raichel.

Clevelanders celebrating Israel’s Independence Day, or Yom Ha’atzmaut, spent an evening with Israeli singer and musician Idan Raichel, who captivated the crowd with his solo, piano-based performance.

Celebrate Israel's 69th Independence Day on May 2 with Idan Raichel in concert!

This July, 40 of Cleveland’s esteemed civic leaders will travel to Israel on the Thomas and Joann Adler Civic Leaders Israel Mission. This new biennial mission launched by the Adlers of Shaker Heights was established through an endowment at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. The purpose is to expose Cleveland leadership to Israel’s innovative approaches to economic and community development, education and support of at-risk and disadvantaged populations, and to create opportunities for partnership with each other and Israeli counterparts.

8th Graders at Gross Schechter Day School and Mandel Jewish Day School are embarking on an Israel journey – read about their experience visiting our sister city of Beit Shean here!

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will hold a Yom Hazikaron ceremony to honor Israel Defense Forces soldiers who died fighting and Israeli civilian victims of terror at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood.

“You make time for what’s important in your life and Jewish Cleveland is important to me.”

For Israeli musician and singer Idan Raichel, a few themes run across his 15 years of recording albums: collaboration, culture and emotional connection to the audience.