In 1961, John F. Kennedy took office as the 35th president of the United States, Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to fly into space, and Israel was of Bar Mitzvah age – 13. But also in 1961, the play, "Milk and Honey," debuted on Broadway, becoming the first musical ever set in Israel. "Milk and Honey" captures a community – the Jewish community – in Israel as it was, building their land from the ground up. This musical gives the audience a chance to see Israel for the first time through the main characters’ eyes.

Israeli cinema has grown from a fledgling industry with poor cinematography, curtailed subject matter and low box office sales to a darling of world film festivals and an increasingly visible and promising industry.

Jewish Cleveland – get ready to rock out for Israel’s 70th birthday! This year, our community is coming together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut on April 19 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights with a concert featuring Israeli superstar, David Broza, alongside two up-and-coming music stars, Tamar Eisenman and Maya Isac. “It’s the ultimate in specialness to have David Broza perform here in Cleveland for Israel’s birthday,” said Scott Simon, Concert Co-Chair.

Over the years, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland has accumulated an extensive Israeli and Jewish art collection. And thanks to our recent Cleveland Israel Arts Connection intern, Cory Irwin, we are able to learn the stories behind each piece. During his six month internship, Cory cataloged the art collection and researched the history of each piece.

The Musical Theatre Project – which documents and celebrates the history of the American musical theater art form through Cleveland-area concerts and cabaret performances – will be telling the story behind the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “Milk and Honey.”

Providing for our community now and in the future.

The Cleveland Israel Arts Connection (CIAC) celebrates experiences that deepen our Jewish identity and share the beauty of Israel with everyone in our community through dance, film, music, literature, theater and the visual arts.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Cleveland Israel Arts Connection will hold gallery open houses for “Hineni: Here I Am,” chronicling Israeli art in Cleveland collections, on Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 at the Roe Green Gallery at the Federation’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building in Beachwood.

Cleveland plays a big part in a new exhibit at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Roe Green Gallery.

Calling all Middle and High School Students: Enter your essays and artwork for the 2018 Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah Creative Arts Contest, Cleveland’s Commemoration of the Holocaust & Heroism.