Believe it or not, children from across the country and around the globe are experiencing similar types of stress. Factors like living below the poverty line, having dysfunctional families, or experiencing trauma know no geographic boundaries. Left unattended, this stress can negatively affect a child’s school performance, social well-being, and ultimately, their future success as an adult.

What is Birthright? It’s a free 10-day trip to explore Israel’s most remarkable tourist destinations and beyond with fellow 22-26 year olds. Cleveland even has our very own trip!

Final spots are still available for Onward Israel, an eight-week tailor-made summer internship program in Tel Aviv that provides real-life work experience for juniors, seniors, and recent grads.

With Volunteer Beit Shean, Jewish Clevelanders are immersing themselves in Israeli life while volunteering in Beit Shean/Valley of Springs, Cleveland’s sister city in Israel. They're helping the people of Beit Shean with daily hands-on volunteer opportunities, enjoying home hospitality, and visiting the city’s historic sites. Read their travel blog now!

I grew up in Cleveland with a sense of pride in being Jewish. I was a part of a very special B’nai Mitzvah with my cousin; being able to do that with her was amazing. I’m also a third generation Holocaust survivor on my father’s side. I never met my grandfather, who I’m named after – I was born to keep his legacy alive.

Just a few places you'll go and things you'll see during the Cleveland Community Birthright Trip.

This year’s Community Relations Committee Annual Meeting and Sidney Z. Vincent Memorial Lecture focuses on the role of Women in STEM. Please join us on March 20 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History at 7:00 pm for an exciting panel discussion and update about the critical work of the Community Relations Committee this last year.

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.

Eleven years ago, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Agency for Israel, a beneficiary agency of Federation, helped to establish Youth Futures – a mentoring program in Israel for at-risk youth. “The essence of Youth Futures is an in-depth mentorship between mentors and at-risk youth,” said Ya’ara Leitner Yagen, Regional Manager of Youth Futures in Israel.

There are two things in my life that define me – my Jewishness and baseball. I was born and raised in Jewish Cleveland and the values of Judaism were instilled in me from a very young age – from synagogue, Sunday School, Jewish Day Camps, BBYO, and activities at the Mandel JCC. Jewish Cleveland is everything to me – as is playing baseball. I’ve put so much into being able to play my entire life, including in college.