April 30, 2020 will live in infamy for the Camp Wise community. On that day, the Mandel Jewish Community Center (MJCC) made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Camp Wise summer due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

When I was asked to write this blog post about Yom Hazikaron and my reflections about it as an Israeli, I was very hesitant. How can I put in words a custom you grow up with since childhood? Will I be able to do justice to the many layers and rituals of Yom Hazikaron? I will try to explain it and paint a picture from my own eyes growing up in Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that Sarah Zimmerman has been awarded the 2021 Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award, which recognizes and honors an outstanding young individual who has demonstrated commitment, involvement, and leadership within Cleveland’s Jewish community. She received the award at the Federation’s Board of Trustees meeting on April 27.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host its annual Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration – a festival celebrating Israel’s Independence Day – on Thursday, May 5 at 6 pm outside at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and The Temple-Tifereth Israel (2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood). It is free and open to the community.

This April, we're offering a great opportunity for volunteers to do good on Good Deeds Day, two unique ways to commemorate Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), a fun Passover event for young families, and more.

Jewish Cleveland young leaders are having the adventure of a lifetime on the Young Leadership Division (YLD) Weinberg Mission to Israel! Participants are experiencing Israel’s vibrant arts and culture scene, learning about innovative technology, networking with leadership in the nation’s up and coming industries, tasting the flavors of the country, and more. Check out their Mission blog below!

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced today a new scholarship opportunity for Jewish Clevelanders who plan to work as staff at select Jewish overnight summer camps. The “Mandel Myers Fellowship Program” – funded by a $1,800,000 grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation and a grant of $150,000 a year for the next three years from the David and Inez Myers Foundation – will enable Jewish overnight camps to attract and retain high caliber staff, help students from Cleveland offset the costs associated with attending a four-year accredited university, and add professional development experience to the camp counselor role to make it more competitive with other internship opportunities.

This March, we will discuss contemporary antisemitism with renowned author Dara Horn, support the community by donating baby supplies and volunteering at the Cleveland Chesed Center, enjoy fun events for young families, and more.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) announced that Ryan Levine will succeed Abbie Pappas as the division’s board chair, effective January 2022. YLD connects Jewish young adults, ages 22 – 45, to each other and the community through social, volunteer, leadership, and philanthropic activities.

We recognize donors who give to the Campaign for Jewish Needs with our giving societies. Because of our donors’ generous support, we are able to drive meaningful change, provide relief in times of crisis, and so much more. Thank you!