In the early morning of Oct. 7, Dan Zelman, board chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, like many people, checked his phone immediately upon waking up. To his surprise it was flooded with news about terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip on the state of Israel.

We invite you to join us for a special community gathering in support of Israel on Monday, October 9 at 5 pm at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland offices in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building (25701 Science Park Drive). This event will feature comments from local clergy, community leaders, and others as we come together to demonstrate our unshakeable stand with Israel at this time of crisis.

Combating the hatred confronting the Jewish people has long been a top priority of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Whether it be helping to enhance local security to ensure Jewish Cleveland remains open and welcoming, providing educational programs that empower community members to stand up to anti-Jewish / anti-Israel rhetoric, or forging strong, supportive relationships across Greater Cleveland, Federation has been a driving force in the ongoing fight against antisemitism.

We’re so grateful to JVN’s incredible leadership team! This committee, chaired by Marty Shankle, meets bimonthly to spearhead new and existing volunteer opportunities in the Cleveland Jewish and general communities. Get to know committee member Leslie Brandon.

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association (JBBBSA) is a program through Federation beneficiary agency, Bellefaire JCB. JBBBSA was started a little over 100 years ago here in Cleveland that pairs a mentor and mentee - one older and one younger - who can benefit from an extra special person in their lives.

We hope to see you at our October events! This month, our Young Leadership Division hosts its signature fundraising event of the year, volunteers can help pick apples for donation to the Cleveland Chesed Center, and our community is invited to view our art exhibit in the Roe Green Gallery.

The Cleveland Jewish community remembered Holocaust victims and honored survivors and liberators at the annual Kol Israel Foundation Fall Memorial on Sept. 24 at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights.

Several Jewish organizations are working with two local high schools after Brooklyn High School football team used the word “Nazi” and racial slurs during a Sept. 22 game against Beachwood High School.

“Hine ma tov, shevet achim gam yachad, how good it is for brothers & sisters to sit together.” These words rang true throughout our recent trip to Israel with a delegation of leaders from the Ohio House of Representatives hosted by Ohio Jewish Communities and the Negev Foundation.

Americans are a generous bunch, with 60% giving to charity annually according to many surveys. The Jewish community donates at even higher rates. However, fewer than 10% of wills and estate plans include a charitable bequest. Let’s consider some reasons people might have for this disconnect.