The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host its annual Yom Ha’atzmaut event – a free community celebration of Israel’s Independence Day – on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation (27501 Fairmount Blvd in Pepper Pike).

A few days ago, when a siren sounded in Ofakim, Daniel, a child supported by the Youth Futures program, ran with his family to the safe room. Like many other children, he was frightened. But right after the door closed, the first thing he did was pick up the phone and call his Youth Futures mentor, who supports him.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host a Yom Hazikaron ceremony at 7 p.m. April 20 at Congregation Shaarey Tikvah at 26811 Fairmount Blvd. in Beachwood, bringing together community members to honor fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terrorism.

April is filled with meaningful opportunities to come together through volunteerism, remembrance, and celebration. Whether you’re looking to give back, connect with others, or enjoy a vibrant community experience, there’s something for everyone this month at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

In schools across Greater Cleveland, teachers and administrators face a rapidly changing reality: students are encountering more antisemitism, ignorance, and bias – often without the tools to understand or respond. For many educators, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, that challenge can feel isolating. To help address it, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland launched two initiatives designed to support educators and foster more inclusive school environments: the Education Leaders Summit and the Jewish Teachers Summit.

Read a blog post by Marina Perelman, 2026 Weinberg Mission to Israel participant.

Despite a 120–103 loss to the Miami Heat on March 25 at Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland, more than 100 members of the local Jewish community still found plenty to celebrate during Jewish Community Night.

The constant sirens have been accompanying families in Kiryat Shmona almost every hour since the beginning of the month, affecting especially children who have returned from prolonged evacuation. Professionals report a rise in anxiety, sleep difficulties, and behavioral regression, alongside a heavy burden on parents.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that Aaron Gross has been awarded the 2025 Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award, which recognizes and honors an outstanding young individual who has demonstrated commitment, involvement, and leadership within Cleveland’s Jewish community. He received the award at the Federation’s Board of Trustees meeting on March 26.

On Passover, we retell the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt to find freedom. It is a foundational narrative of the Jewish people as it anchors our identity, clarifies our values, strengthens our resilience, and demands the responsibility that comes from this knowledge. This story also serves as an important reminder that we are interconnected as a people – that there are moments in our history that transcend time, where we are all present.