Something new is happening at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. It’s called the Israel Advocacy Fellows Program and it’s one of the most important efforts our Community Relations Committee (CRC) is working on today.

Thursday, September 10, 2015 marks the launch of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2016 Campaign for Jewish Needs, which is the annual fundraising Campaign that supports our community’s vitality and vibrancy in the year ahead. The event is open to the public. Doors open 7:00 p.m. on September 10, 2015 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center (26001 S. Woodland Road in Beachwood).

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is honored to be a partner in the Violins of Hope program, one of our most meaningful collaborations to date. Visit violinsofhopecle.org to see all events open to the public.

Gary Kenzer, national North American executive director of Honest Reporting, is urging supporters of Israel to become effective advocates who know how to spot biased news. Honest Reporting monitors news for bias and inaccuracy in the coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Let’s flashback to October 9, 1948. Game 4 of the World Series is on between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Braves. 82,000 people cheer from the stands — one of the largest ever in World Series History. The Indians have a slim one-run lead, but somebody needs to step up.

Soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces uncovered similarities in their work with troubled youth during a visit to Bellefaire JCB in University Heights on April 24. The soldiers, who were visiting Cleveland for a week to participate in Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremonies in the area, engaged in a professional exchange of ideas with Bellefaire employees and mental health professionals during their time at the facility.

It was the perfect day for a “Spruce Up!” Volunteers from our Jewish Volunteer Network and Community Relations Committee, partnered with our friends at Habitat for Humanity and Esperanza to revitalize Cleveland’s Stockyard Neighborhood. Together, we repaired fences, painted, and landscaped to beautify our community that we love. Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers for joining us to make a big difference!

Following a Board of Trustees Meeting on August 12, 2015, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland released the following statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action:

It has been said that the sound of the violin resembles that of the human voice. The proximity will come clear both actually and symbolically on Sept. 27, when violins of singular provenance, played by musicians of singular prominence, star at Silver Hall.