A Torah is among a congregation’s most cherished possessions, containing the foundational narrative of the Jewish people.

Under the hot Israeli sun stands a soldier. Beneath his battered helmet, a lock of red hair; behind his sunglasses, twinkling blue eyes that survey the scene. This Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) paratrooper and combat medic is a long way from his home in Cleveland, OH but he’s right where he wants to be.

If you can read, you can fly… Marc knows this and that’s why, for the past decade, he’s made the trek each week through city neighborhoods, across a concrete playground to an inner city school. As a volunteer tutor, he reads books with kids.

The personal reflections of Neil Waxman (Overseas Connections Commitee Chair) on the St. Petersburg Mission.

JCF’s work began during the worst economic conditions facing Russia since WWII: the ruble crashed, the stock market fell 75%, and the government defaulted on its debt.

JCF’s work began during the worst economic conditions facing Russia since WWII: the ruble crashed, the stock market fell 75%, and the government defaulted on its debt.

The back-story to Cleveland's engagement with St. Petersburg, Russia.

Until the late 1700’s, Russia generally prohibited Jews from living within its boundaries, but suddenly found itself the “beneficiary” of over 1,000,000 Jews upon the annexation of Poland. From that period until recent times, Russian policy toward its Jews has vacillated between assimilation, discrimination, and isolation, compounded by 4 years of Nazi assault on the Pale of Settlement, bringing desecration and mass execution.

Jewish Family Center “Adain Lo” has been awarded the inaugural Roderman Prize in Disability that “recognizes the best in inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities.” This is the first year in which this prize is bring presented, and hereafter