As it has done before in other crises, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland quickly mobilized to launch the Israel Emergency Campaign for assistance to victims of terror and address growing needs following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Everything changed on October 7, 2023. Nothing will be the same. Ever. The grief, devastation, hurt, and anger we feel is palpable and visible. While our Israeli family – still reeling from the most atrocious of terror attacks – is now embroiled in a war against terror, we in Cleveland have our own fight.

As the war in Israel entered Day 3 following a surprise attack from Hamas near the Gaza border, 2,000 people came together Oct. 9 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to pray and show support for the Jewish state.

On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Board of Trustees and staff, we thank you for your support of and participation in these efforts. We will keep you posted on developments as regularly as is feasible. In the meantime, we welcome your questions and suggestions.

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.