I was home in Cleveland for winter break; that’s when I made a decision that would change my life forever. I applied for Onward Israel, an internship program, supported by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Shalom (Hello) to Itamar Meromi, Michal Katzman, Ziv Birenzwige, and Orel Regev.

According to Karen McHenry, program manager for homeless and missing youth at Bellefaire JCB, only 25 percent of missing children are reported missing.

An opportunity many of us do not have the chance to fulfill – spend a year living and working abroad. But that is exactly what Rachel Seiger, of Solon, and Ben Fleisher, a Cleveland native, were able to do. Their overseas journeys became possible through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Roslyn Z. Wolf-Jewish Joint Distribution Committee International Fellow Program.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Rainey Institute are proud to announce an international partnership. The Federation-supported Youth Futures program in Israel and Rainey Institute are collaborating with teachers, principals, mentors and site coordinators to come together and examine blind case studies involving at-risk youth. Media is invited to attend the case study exchange on January 12 at 6:30 pm at Rainey Institute, 1705 East 55th in Cleveland.

Getting ready for high school graduation can be a stressful time. Many students wonder what they will study and where they'll go to college. There’s one more option to add to the list that takes the pressure off: Masa Gap Year.

There are nights when I like to walk from my dorm to the art museum and stand in contemplation on the promenade. That’s been my reflection spot for several years, and each time I return, I consider how much I’ve changed since the last.

Jewish Cleveland young adults are invited to travel the world and apply for the Roslyn Z. Wolf Cleveland-JDC International Fellowship. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, in partnership with the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), will select one applicant to participate with 25 other Jewish young adult fellows in an exceptional opportunity to spend one year abroad through a paid, individual global service opportunity.

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.

As a member of the Federation's Overseas Connections Committee (OCC), and former Roslyn Z. Wolf JDC International Fellows stationed in St. Petersburg, Russia back in 2006-2007, my husband Matt and I have seen firsthand the life-changing work that the Cleveland Jewish community conducts through its partnership overseas in Russia. However, we recently had a chance to see first-hand the work that our community does to support our other sister city in Beit Shean, Israel.