I feel a little anxiety. A little sadness. I’m excited, but also a little helpless. For the first time, my kids don’t want me to drive them to school. I expect this from my middle schooler, but my 9 year old? When did he stop needing me?

It was mid-morning on a Wednesday. I was serving as visiting faculty at our regional Reform Jewish overnight camp and was sitting with 50 high school age campers when Hitler started speaking. I had to resist the urge to leave the room when I heard that voice and its inflammatory speech. I listened uncomfortably to those hate-filled words, but what came next was inspiring. This program was part of a regularly scheduled daily shiur (educational lesson).

For the past 11 ½ months, four Israeli teenagers have been serving as emissaries in Greater Cleveland to educate the Jewish community about Israeli life and culture, with a focus on connecting with other teens.

The Federation’s Street Team (that’s Raquel and Seth!) hit the ground running to see what makes Jewish Cleveland cool!

Family, ruach (spirit), and fun in the sun! Over 600 parents, kids, and grandparents joined us to celebrate summer at PJ Library Goes to Camp for Family Fun Day.

Sammy and Raz. Two girls, two different parts of the world. And this year, they met here in Cleveland for the first time and formed an unbreakable bond for life. All because of Israel.Cleveland.Next (icnext), a Federation-supported initiative.

Meet Cathy. A business-owner, dedicated volunteer, and proud Jewish Clevelander. She is a busy person, who always finds time to help others. When she started working as a literacy tutor when her own children were learning to read, she found a passion. And now, Cathy volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Public Education Initiative (PEI).

Celebrate Israel's 68th Independence Day on May 12 with Rita in concert!

Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism will be honored at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Yom Hazikaron ceremony at 7 p.m. May 10 at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood.