Philanthropy is in Ervin Pavlofsky’s DNA. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, a close-knit Jewish community of less than 10,000 Jews at that time, he learned the importance of caring for one another. “Every Jewish person was involved, giving what they could to as many agencies and synagogues as they could,” he said. “We felt that it was up to each one of us to keep the Jewish community alive for our own families and everyone else’s too.”

Karen Tucker’s lifelong love of Israel has roots in her youth. At 13 years old, she vividly remembers watching the news coverage of Israel, then a fledgling nation, fight for its survival in the Six Day War. As a college student, she attended rallies, spoke out in support of Israel, and donated funds to help the country defend itself during the Yom Kippur War.

The wall showcasing past leadership in the Federation’s Conference Center is a sea of mostly black and white photos of men. Yet among the photos there is one that stands out – a woman whose plaque reads “Mrs. Siegmund Herzog 1927-1930.” While a dignified photograph, it does not begin to capture the force of nature that was Bertha “Birdie” Herzog.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland commemorated Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day in a very moving ceremony.

Howie Beigelman, director of the Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC), did not need to see the research to know there was a problem. “The lack of Holocaust knowledge today is shocking – especially in Ohio,” Beigelman said. “Something had to be done to make sure this history will never be forgotten.”

Time and time again we have seen that as anti-Semitism rises, so too does hatred towards all communities.

Barbara Winton, the daughter of Czech and Slovak Kindertransport organizer Sir Nicholas Winton, urged a virtual crowd of 285 to help others in need like her father did during the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Kol Israel Foundation’s annual Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah event April 7.

Our community came together for Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah, a virtual commemoration of the Holocaust and heroism.

The Cleveland Israel Arts Connection was delighted to connect with Israeli playwright/actor Hadar Galron, who adapted Jacob Buchan's story, “Whistle: My Mother was Mengele’s Secretary,” about being raised “invisible” by Holocaust survivors.

The YLD Microgrant Program* is an outstanding opportunity to create community in a safe and innovative way.