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.

Please contact your U.S. senators and member of Congress to demand they act to facilitate the safe release of the Israeli and foreign nationals held hostage by Hamas.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that a record $36,355,013 has been raised by 9,045 gifts representing 11,881 donors in the 2024 Campaign for Jewish Needs, the annual fundraising campaign that serves Jewish Cleveland and the global community. Additionally, the community raised $33,349,261 for the Israel Emergency Campaign to date since launching immediately following the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7. These totals were shared at the Campaign Closing Event at the Mandel Jewish Community Center on December 13.

Jonathon Nisenboum was recognized at our Campaign Closing Celebration for her dedication to the Campaign for Jewish Needs.

The success of our annual Campaign for Jewish Needs is due in large part to the strength of those at the helm. We are grateful to Beth Wain Brandon for her leadership as chair of the 2023 and 2024 Campaigns.

Helping to keep our community safe is one of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s top priorities. Through our security provider, JFC Security, LLC, we are continuously exploring new ways to enhance our community’s ability to combat hatred targeting the Jewish community. Since its humble beginning in 2013, JFC Security has become the gold standard of community security initiatives across the country.

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

Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike presented the Jewish Federation of Cleveland with a $4,471.25 check for its Israel Emergency Campaign on Dec. 3.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s annual Campaign for Jewish Needs will close with an event on Dec. 13 to announce the grand total and honor Jonathon Nisenboum.