Each year, Ohioans are sent to jail for months, sometimes years, before their cases are resolved. These individuals frequently live in squalid living conditions and under a constant threat of violence - while presumed innocent - simply because they cannot afford to pay a bail bondsman.

Recently, members of the Federation’s Community Relations Committee (CRC) traveled to Columbus as part of an interfaith coalition of Cleveland-based community organizations to right a wrong that is caused by an antiquated bail system.

On July 12, volunteers from the Jewish community and the African-American community came together to beautify the Hebrew and African American Cultural Gardens as part of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland Young Leadership Division’s YLDay of Caring.

Moshe Halbertal, an Israeli philosopher, professor and co-author of the Israeli Army Code of Ethics, told a local audience that he believes the Israel Defense Forces has fought a war on terror without brutalizing its forces, however, there are challenges and missteps regarding Israeli politicians’ messaging and dealing with the situation at the Gaza border.

A group of Cleveland women were in Israel with other women from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee on the Women Partners for Peace mission.

About two dozen men and women from Greater Cleveland with diverse backgrounds and faiths boarded a chartered bus last week with one purpose in mind: to advocate for Ohio bail reform.

On May 15, the Federation’s Community Relations Committee, in partnership with The Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program at Case Western Reserve University, Academic Engagement Network, and AJC, hosted a timely and unfiltered panel discussion about "American Jews and Israel: Where is the Relationship Headed?"

This year Israel turns 70.

A milestone anniversary calls for a party! To celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary of independence this year, we’re hosting the first-ever IsraelFest!, a carnival for all ages on Sunday, May 6 from 12 - 5 pm at Mandel JCC’s Safran Park (26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood). Parking will be available at the Maltz Mseum, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Mandel Jewish Day School, and Fuchs Mizrachi School.

Cleveland’s Yom Hazikaron, or Israel’s Memorial Day, honored Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in the line of duty as well as civilian victims, during a solemn ceremony April 17 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center’s Stonehill Auditorium in Beachwood.