A beautiful evening of diverse cultures coming together to honor and celebrate our shared earth during Tu B’Shevat.

The last day of Chanukah this year was extra special.

My name is Tyler Moses and I am 13 years old. I live in Orange Village and go to the University School (US).

Tu B’Shevat is around the corner. As 10-year-old Gabe says, it’s hard to celebrate the “festival of trees” in Cleveland this time of year when the ground is covered in snow. Youngsters like Gabe understand the importance of this holiday through Federation-supported programs like PJ Our Way and our Community Relations Committee’s (CRC) Interfaith Tu B’Shevat Seder. Read how Gabe learned about the values of Tu B’Shevat right here in snowy Cleveland:

Thirteen years ago last Shabbat my best friend’s brother was murdered by Palestinian terrorists while providing reinforcement to IDF soldiers who had been ambushed outside the Cave of the Patriarchs. He left behind a wife and six children.

The following d’var torah was presented at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s All-Staff meeting on September 24, 2015.

The Days of Awe, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are a time of deep personal reflection. Organizationally I take the same responsibility. Is the Federation living up to its stated mission and values? Are we conducting our business in an ethical manner? How are we helping the community in a time of deeply felt differences – on the political front, on the religious front, on foreign and domestic social policies?

July 4th is not a religious holiday, however, many of our American ideals are predicated on Biblical values. As I was contemplating how revolutionary it was for our Founding Fathers...