WASHINGTON – For Stephen H. Hoffman, president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and Gary Gross, the board chair of the Federation, the takeaways from Day 1 of the 2016 Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly were about the same.

As a member of the Federation’s Overseas Connections Committee (OCC) and the St. Petersburg Subcommittee, I’m visiting St. Petersburg, Russia to learn and to listen.

The Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland will host its “Big Event” at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Westin Cleveland Downtown, where Jewish adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s are invited to eat, drink and enjoy the company of peers.

Calling all Cleveland area middle and high school wordsmiths and artists: you are invited to enter the 2017 annual Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah (Cleveland’s commemoration of the Holocaust and heroism) Contest. Essays and works of art are sought that portray this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Out: Stopping Persecution Then and Now.”

PJ Library is more than receiving Jewish-themed books and attending events for families – it’s building a stronger Jewish future. Anna Novik is the Engagement Ambassador for Cleveland’s Russian Jewish community; her connection to PJ Library takes on a more meaningful role as she’s able to involve her sister, Ella, and two nephews, Michael and David. We spoke to Ella and Anna about how they’re rediscovering their own Jewish roots through PJ Library.

A close friend who is a cancer survivor sends an email asking you to sponsor her for a Run/Walk supporting an organization that provides services for cancer patients and their families. You are somewhat familiar with the charity, but have not supported it before. How long does it take to decide to make a donation?

Something BIG is happening on Saturday, November 19! The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) will host its fourth annual YLD Big Event, the signature fundraiser for young adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s in support of the 2017 Campaign for Jewish Needs. All are welcome to attend the event, which begins at 8:30 p.m. on November 19 at The Westin Cleveland Downtown (777 Saint Clair Avenue NE, Cleveland, OH 44114). A private reception for Ben-Gurion Society donors who commit a minimum gift of $1,000 to the Campaign will precede the event.

Traveling the world is something many people dream of: Seeing the Eiffel Tower light up in Paris, posing with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, walking the Great Wall of China – there are so many choices of places to go, things to see, and people to meet.