I am Daniel Pearlman and I grew up here, in Solon. From an early age, my identity was shaped by the Jewish Cleveland community. I went to preschool at Jewish Day Nursery, affiliated with Bellefaire, a Federation partner. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. All I knew was that I loved the environment around me. Even today, I am still close with some of my preschool friends.

In the early 20th century my great-great grandfather Ya’akov Kopleman left Lithuania for the Promised Land and became one of Israel’s first settlers.

Meet Becky and Daniel. They are emerging leaders in our Jewish community. We thank them for speaking out for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. They are building Jewish identity, and it’s more important than ever.

I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me (Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li). Some Jews are familiar with this phrase from Song of Songs. It is recited at weddings and inscribed on jewelry.

The Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is gravely concerned about the refugee crisis unfolding in Europe and the Middle East. As a member of the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, the Federation system is addressing this growing humanitarian crisis with a coordinated response. To date, over half a million dollars has been raised by the North American Jewish community to aid these refugees.

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.

Cleveland-born, Benjamin Fleisher (Ben), has been named the 2015-2016 Roslyn Z. Wolf Cleveland-JDC International Fellow and will participate in an exceptional opportunity to spend one year abroad, enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Bat Yam, Israel.

Barry Feldman, a Federation Board of Trustees member and Cleveland/St. Petersburg Partnership Standing Committee Chair, receives the Jewish National Fund of Ohio’s highest honor. Mazel Tov, Barry, on this wonderful accomplishment!