Guided by Jewish tradition of tzedakah, meaning righteousness or charity, and tikkun olam, meaning repairing the world, women who give gifts in their names increase control and responsibility as decision makers and leaders in their community. A woman’s charitable gift exhibits power to make a difference, confirming women are accountable in the family, the community and the Jewish people. By giving as individuals, women can stand up and truly be counted.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that Judi Kovach, Co-Founder and Chair of the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, is the 2018 recipient of the Irene Zehman Award.

Shavuot is a holiday celebrating the time when the Jewish people harvested their last grain of the season, and begin harvesting their fruit crops. A tradition is eating dairy foods including cheesecake, blintzes, and quiches to symbolize the kosher food laws in the Torah.

We recently concluded our 8-day Israel Arts and Culture Mission with a beautiful dinner at the Israel Museum, where our group got to share a few thoughts about what we experienced as we explored the depth and breadth of visual arts, music, dance, theater, architecture, literature, jewelry and textile design, and of course, the culinary arts! Somehow we managed to fit in all of those things between meals!

Forty Jewish high school juniors and seniors representing public and private high schools across Cleveland have come together to recommend grants totaling $44,000 to 14 organizations for crucial programs in the Jewish and general community through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2017-2018 Maurice Saltzman Youth Panel.

Securing our community is one of the top priorities of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Thanks to a generous donation from Barb and Abe Miller, the Federation will be distributing 550 Project Safe Classroom Backpacks to Jewish Cleveland classrooms, including all Jewish Cleveland day schools, religious schools, and early childhood centers. Over the course of two days, students from Yavne School for Girls and Fuchs Mizrachi School – Federation beneficiary agencies – as well as members of our Young Leadership Division (YLD) volunteered their time to fill the backpacks with medical and emergency supplies and safety equipment.

Israel is home to many of the best culinary experiences in the world. Community members recently returned from a first-of-its-kind mission that explored our Jewish homeland's innovation and cultural diversity through the lens of food. Read a few of their trip highlights now:

Each year, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Women’s Philanthropy hosts a spring luncheon that focuses on a relevant and timely women’s issue. This year, Women’s Philanthropy leadership wanted to explore the #MeToo movement and invited renowned feminist author, Naomi Wolf, to speak on this topic.

From generation to generation, l’dor v’dor. Donna Yanowitz lives that motto. Along with her late husband, Bennett, she taught her children and grandchildren the value of saving and giving. For Donna, being philanthropic is made easier through her Donor Advised Fund (DAF) and the Yanowitz Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

The Israel at 70 celebration continued yesterday as nearly 2,000 people from across our diverse community came together at IsraelFest!, a first-of-its-kind festival here in Jewish Cleveland!