Each year, our community comes together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s birthday. This year, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland marks the 70th year of Israel’s independence through a series of community-wide arts, cultural, and educational events – known collectively as the “Israel at 70” series. One of those events is IsraelFest! on May 6 at the Mandel JCC, which will be a carnival-like atmosphere with Israeli games, Israeli food, a shuk (Israeli market), a bounce house, and more fun for all ages.

At our Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) commemoration, First Lieutenant Tair Hadar shared the story of her friend and neighbor, Oren Noa, who tragically lost his life defending the state of Israel. Read Oren's story now:

Laughter is the best medicine, but a little bit of magic never hurt either!

Find out how Barry Hersch is magically making an IMPACT! by volunteering.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy took office as the 35th president of the United States, Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to fly into space, and Israel was of Bar Mitzvah age – 13. But also in 1961, the play, "Milk and Honey," debuted on Broadway, becoming the first musical ever set in Israel. "Milk and Honey" captures a community – the Jewish community – in Israel as it was, building their land from the ground up. This musical gives the audience a chance to see Israel for the first time through the main characters’ eyes.

Cleveland’s Yom Hazikaron, or Israel’s Memorial Day, honored Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in the line of duty as well as civilian victims, during a solemn ceremony April 17 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center’s Stonehill Auditorium in Beachwood.

Israeli cinema has grown from a fledgling industry with poor cinematography, curtailed subject matter and low box office sales to a darling of world film festivals and an increasingly visible and promising industry.

Cleveland loves Israel! Thank you to the 1,100+ community members who joined us for an unforgettable night of music at David Broza Live, a Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) celebration.

S. Lee Kohrman, a longtime Jewish community volunteer, leader and lawyer, will receive the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s highest annual honor at the group’s 114th annual meeting April 26 at Fuchs Mizrachi School in Beachwood.

Security for each Jewish federation is a “different animal,” Jim Harnett, director of community-wide security for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland told attendees at the beginning of the four-day Security Director’s Conference and PRT Training.