Our Jewish Cleveland story began about three years ago. We moved back to Northeast Ohio and were eager enough to get in touch with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) Director, Jessie Bruder.

The path of discovering Judaism for Alex Sweeney of Mentor began as a child. “I really didn’t have a Jewish identity; we celebrated some holidays, but it wasn’t anything consistent. My grandfather always talked about being Jewish. I remember learning about the Holocaust, but not thinking that really happened to my people.”

I honestly had no idea what to expect. Would the roads still be flooded? Is it dangerous? The news made Houston look like a war zone. What was I about to get myself into?

Michelle Hirsch, senior vice president of Brunswick Cos., officially was named chair of the Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet at its annual retreat Aug. 9 to Aug. 12 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Cabinet is a group unlike any other. It is a collection of some of the brightest, most generous, and most exciting young Jewish leaders in North America.

I’m a 23-year-old Clevelander; I grew up in Shaker Heights. My mom is from Israel, my dad is from Akron. Judaism has always been important to us, and I love being a part of Jewish Cleveland.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) has launched a new Microgrant Program. With the YLD Microgrant Program, YLD hopes to create a thriving, vibrant Jewish Cleveland young adult community by empowering individuals or groups to create, plan, and host experiences for Jewish Clevelanders (ages 22-45).

My name is Kendra Kaplan and this summer I've been working at CityKids as part of my Onward Israel internship.

My name is Emily Friedman and I am interning at the startup Daystage.

Abby Nikiforovs shares her experience as an Onward Israel participant.