The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is saddened by of the passing of Senator George Voinovich. As Mayor of Cleveland, Governor of Ohio and United States Senator, George Voinovich was the consummate public servant. He was deeply compassionate and truly cared about all people - no matter their race, religion or economic status. He was a steadfast friend of the Jewish community and the State of Israel which he cherished, and he never stopped praying for peace between Israel and its neighbors. Recognizing the evils of anti-Semitism, Senator Voinovich, together with the late Congressman Tom Lantos, was responsible for the creation of a new position in the U.S. State Department: Special Envoy to Monitor World-wide Anti-Semitism.

A spectacular summer night! Over 300 young Jewish Clevelanders joined together at Acacia Reservation for Jewish Cleveland’s social event of the season: the 8th Annual Summer Soirée.

Meet Cathy. A business-owner, dedicated volunteer, and proud Jewish Clevelander. She is a busy person, who always finds time to help others. When she started working as a literacy tutor when her own children were learning to read, she found a passion. And now, Cathy volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Public Education Initiative (PEI).

Meet Phyllis. She is one of many seniors living at Sherri Park Apartments in Lyndhurst, where the Jewish Federation of Cleveland supports the Community Options program. The program helps older residents stay active and engaged as they age in place at Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs).

What comes next? That was the question to answer for attendees who joined Ratliff & Taylor’s Jennifer Cohen and Gregg Levine June 7 at “Planning For Retirement: Reinventing Your Life And Realizing Your Dreams.” The event was part of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s IMPACT! program, a volunteer initiative for adults over 50.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2016 Summer Interns are here! Get to know this impressive group of college students who will be spending their summer working with Team Federation.

Two weeks ago I was sitting in the Yom Hazikaron memorial ceremony for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. As I contemplated the lives lost my thoughts dwelled on the steep price that was paid for Jewish freedom and the price of young lives still lost each year in defense of Israel. And then I thought about the price of freedom that has been paid by so many to defend our way of life in America.

40 high school juniors and seniors representing public and private high schools and 12 different synagogues have come together to recommend grants totaling $40,000 to 11 organizations for crucial programs in the Jewish and general communities through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2015-2016 Maurice Saltzman Youth Panel.

A member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, was not afraid to take a stand on the 2016 U.S. presidential election May 3 during a visit to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Mandel Building in Beachwood. Michal Rozin, a Knesset member since 2013 from the Meretz party, said as a feminist she hopes the new leader of the U.S. will be a woman, meaning Democrat Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State.

Many in attendance at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland women’s philanthropy’s annual Women’s Spring Luncheon May 18 were misty-eyed as they watched a tribute video in honor of Mary Ellen Saltzman.