Three years ago, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland launched a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiative in four communities in Israel, including Beit Shean, Cleveland's sister city.

Following the recent Israeli-Hamas conflict and ongoing battles against COVID-19, 17 local Jews visited Israel to extend the city’s support and learn about Cleveland’s positive impact on the country.

From June 9 to Aug. 3, 36 Jewish college students or recent graduates from or living in Greater Cleveland ventured to Tel Aviv through Onward Israel’s partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood.

"The most meaningful part of being in Israel has been learning who I am, where I come from, and why this beautiful country is crucial to my life."

BEERSHEBA, Israel -- While I moved to Israel two years ago, a big part of me will always be a Clevelander. It’s the part of me that wakes up at 2 a.m. for Browns games, the part that misses Mitchell’s hot fudge, and the part that still says “ope” when sliding past someone at the supermarket. I am just like you, but recently, my life has been nothing like yours.

Harel* is the youngest of four children and is in his second year of Youth Futures, a Federation-supported program.

In the midst of a global pandemic, Alex Rogoff of Beachwood was experiencing one of the most transformational years he's ever had. As a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow (MITF) in Tel Aviv and Beit Shean (Cleveland's sister city in Israel), Alex spent 10 months teaching English to children in schools – both virtually and in-person. MITF is a post-college volunteer program that’s part of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s I-Connect initiative designed to create deepening connections for young adults with Israeli life and culture.

Jewish Federation of Cleveland President Erika B. Rudin-Luria and board vice chair Neil R. Waxman showed their continued support for Israelis and a desire to combat antisemitism during a nationwide federation solidarity mission to Israel, led by the Jewish Federations of North America from May 24 to May 28.

Last month, Jewish Cleveland came together to show our support at a Rally for Israel. More than 500 community members walked from the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland together in solidarity with Israel, and sent a message of peace and healing across the world.

CLEVELAND – The innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives that have been tragically lost this month are, very sadly, only the latest casualties of an ongoing conflict between Israel and an array of forces seeking Israel’s elimination. These forces include well-known terrorist organizations – like Hamas, Hezbollah (the much larger terrorist organization operating on Israel’s northern borders), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad – as well as the government of Iran.