Many Jewish children in the former Soviet Union grow up unaffiliated. Summer camp, as discussed earlier this month at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Mandel Building in Beachwood, is a key way for those Jews to connect with their heritage.

The Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School (Mandel JDS) has recently teamed up with Force Sports, a locally owned and operated organization devoted to providing world-class facilities along with a dedicated team of experienced coaches. MANDEL JDS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH FORCE SPORTS, ATHLETICS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS

CLEVELAND – Do you know a Jewish Clevelander, ages 22 to 26, who is ready for a travel experience unlike any other? If so, they might be eligible for Birthright Israel, a free 10-day trip to Israel for Cleveland residents from June 20 – June 30, 2016. Complete the Interest Form now.

Become a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow (MITF)! Teach English to students in Israel and spend one year immersed in an authentic, small Israeli city.

Lil and Hugo love going ballroom dancing. At 90, they dance whenever they can though Hugo admits it’s getting harder as they grow older. “We’d like to go more often, but we can’t. Lil can’t stand that long these days,” he said.

Fifteen Jewish Clevelanders are beginning an unforgettable two-week volunteer experience in Cleveland’s sister city, Beit Shean.

The students of Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School (Mandel JDS) celebrated Yom HaYeled, “Day of the Child,” with their 10th annual Hebrew Spelling Bee, a fun and enriching way for students to build their vocabulary. Students were abuzz prior to the competition, which asks all students to study up to 200 words along with their definitions, competing for exciting prizes along the way.

Saltzman Youth Panel is a truly unique experience. Working as a group, Jewish Cleveland teens are given the opportunity to allocate funds to the Jewish community and beyond. Recently, my fellow panelists and I were truly able to experience this unique aspect of Saltzman.

When I reflect back on my earliest childhood memories, I ALWAYS remember feeling extremely proud of my Jewish heritage and identity. I derive immense pleasure celebrating the rituals and life cycle events of our faith and relish in preparing a holiday meal for a houseful of family and friends. To my husband Randy and me, raising our two children (Natalie, age 16 and Quinn, age 12) with strong Jewish values is the most important endeavor we have undertaken as parents. Yet, for both of us, Judaism is not something that happens exclusively in the confines of our home or synagogue. Being a part of a global Jewish community has compelled us both to engage in Jewish philanthropy and acts of chesed (acts of kindness), and more importantly pass the importance of giving to others onto our children. “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh.” ALL Jews (or all the people of Israel) are responsible for one another.

CLEVELAND – The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) announces the appointment of Rachel Weinberg as Board Chair, Barry Guttman as Vice Chair, and 11 new members to join its board.