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.

Every summer, 1,500 young Jews from 20 countries travel to rural Hungary to attend Camp Szarvas. Funded in part by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Federation partner agency, Szarvas merges the fun of sleepaway camp with the celebration of Jewish peoplehood.

“The train arriving in a place like this is a game changer.”

“If Federation wasn’t there helping my family, I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today.”

An evening of togetherness, laughter…and food!

Visiting Israeli cook Bat Zion Yona picked up a piece of Josie Peric's savory, Croatian-style strudel and gave it a taste.

Etty Valinaamat usually opens her home to cook for others. In addition to being a high school baking teacher, she runs a bakery in her hometown of Beit Shean, Israel, where guests are invited to “eat and pray.”