So there I was, uncomfortably staring down a plate of cheez-it dusted tostadas with a garlic spinach remoulade and spicy mustard emulsion. Grandma’s brisket and matzah ball soup this was not.

There is no greater mitzvah (good deed) than honoring those who came before us! Thank you to the many volunteers who joined together for our Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) and Commission on Cemetery Preservation (COCP) annual Spring Cemetery Cleanup. From across the community, came young and old alike, spending their Sunday raking, pruning, and beautifying the 124 year-old Lansing Cemetery.

Who is Omer? Sounds familiar. Hmm. Is he that Israeli who played for the Cavs while LeBron was in Miami? Nah, that’s Omri. Omri Caspi. So, who is Omer?

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announces the opening of “One Hour a Day,” an exhibit featuring the work of famed Israeli painter, Shai Azoulay. All are invited to meet the artist, Shai Azoulay, and curator, Trudy Wiesenberger, at an Open House on Sunday, May 17 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Roe Green Gallery at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building, 25701 Science Park Drive in Beachwood. Artist and curator talks will be at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

On May 3, 2015, a delegation from the Cleveland Muslim community joined members of the Jewish community at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple’s Annual Meeting where Lassana Bathily was the guest speaker. Bathily, a young Muslim-Malian immigrant to France, was recognized for his courage and heroism in the face of terror.

To celebrate 100 years, Beachwood is honoring its achievements and reflecting on its roots with a public art project. Similar to projects like the Cows of Chicago or Crabs of Baltimore, Beachwood High School Junior Achievement partnered with the City of Beachwood to create the Leaves of Beachwood. Named for beech trees that originally covered most of the 5 square mile village, Beechwood became known as Beachwood.

Marne Levine was named Chief Operating Officer of Instagram, Inc. in 2015. She manages Instagram’s day-to-day internal operations, human resources, policy, and communications.

Historic Violins of Hope Come to Greater Cleveland this fall.

I recently returned from a Mission to Cuba, traveling with a small cohort of Cleveland community members and the Federation.