The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) announced the appointment of Abbie Pappas as board chair, effective January 2021. Pappas served as YLD’s board vice chair last year and she succeeds Cameron Orlean in the board chair role. YLD connects Jewish young adults, ages 22 – 45, to each other and the community through social, volunteer, leadership, and philanthropic activities.

Check out our upcoming events, including a virtual tour of Cleveland's sister cities, a three-part program about “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Contemporary Israeli Cinema,” and a panel discussion of community leaders from the Black, Latinx, and Jewish communities.

During this week’s Shabbat, we reflected on the events of the past week. We feel it is important to share some additional thoughts with you and ask for your help.

Do you miss traveling? Join YLD and Cleveland shlicha, Li-or Gersht, for virtual trips to our sister cities of Beit Shean, Israel and St. Petersburg, Russia!

As we prepare for the first Shabbat after New Year's Day 2021, we are reminded of this special blessing – a variation of which can be found in every Jewish prayer book – for our country, its leaders and advisors, and our fellow citizens:

We pray for the safety of all Members of Congress, their staff and the law enforcement who are protecting them. We thank Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and Governor Mike DeWine for their strong statements and join them in urging an end to the violence. We also unequivocally condemn any elected official trying to advance a position by claiming that Adolf Hitler was “right.” Violent unlawful protests and hate-fueled rhetoric have no place in our democratic society.

Jewish Federation of Cleveland was joined by Cantor Rebecca Carmi and her family, alongside pianist Laura Silverman to perform a medley of Chanukah songs for our community for Festival of Song.

The Mandel Jewish Community Center’s longstanding Lunch Plus program has shifted operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to meet the needs of Greater Cleveland’s vulnerable senior population.

From social action campaigns to development work, Mariely Luengo has always been an activist and leader. A native of Puerto Rico raised in a Sephardi home, Mariely has been working independently in the Greater Cleveland nonprofit sector and leaving her mark on Jewish Cleveland since she arrived four years ago. A member of YLD and part of a 248 Community Action Network cohort, she is a testament to terrific leadership development by Federation-funded initiatives. She delivered a moving presentation at this year’s annual meeting and was named as one of the co-chairs for this year’s Super Sunday.