As Clevelanders and visitors drive along freeways, they may notice billboards carrying messages from the Jewish community, such as the release of hostages held in Gaza and awareness of the rise in antisemitism.

Today, Shlomo Mantzur turns 86 years old – and it is the worst birthday of his life.

An Israel at 75 Microgrant is pre-approved funding for a program or project in the Cleveland Jewish Community geared towards Israel programming that support one or more of these goals. Organizations or individuals will be reimbursed for expenses (up to the agreed upon amount) after completion of their project.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland today announced a new partnership with Kibbutz Kissufim, a community in the Gaza Envelope, that was among the 22 locations targeted by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas attacked Israel and brutally murdered more than 1,200 innocent people in multiple locations near the Gaza border – injuring thousands more and kidnapping over 250 individuals, including Shlomo Mantzur (age 85), who lived on Kibbutz Kissufim. A kibbutz is an intentional community in Israel that focuses on a communal lifestyle.

Today is the 100th day since October 7. 100 days since terrorists viciously attacked Israel and murdered over 1,200 people and kidnapped 240 others. 100 days since everything changed.

It has been over 90 days since Israel was attacked on October 7. The conversation has evolved over time, and we would like to clearly state the perspective of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland as it relates to the events of October 7 and the conversation regarding a ceasefire.

For 180 days, a 15-foot-tall and 10-foot-wide ribbon displaying the faces of the 240 hostages will be visible outside the Jewish Federation of Cleveland building at 25701 Science Park Drive in Beachwood.

Adi Stern, professor and president of Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, traveled to Cleveland to join Kathryn Heidemann, president and CEO of the Cleveland Institute of Art, in a conversation Dec. 6 about the war in Israel and the role of an art school in times of crisis.

As the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and 175 attendees celebrated the closing of another successful annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, the event honored two essential people involved in the campaign.

With each Chanukah candle that we light, we bring light to all who need it.