News

The start of Camp Kaylie this year was nothing short of amazing. As the campers arrived at camp for Summer 2023, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. Little did they know that an incredible surprise awaited them. Just a few days into the summer, they were honored to welcome four revered g’dolei Yisrael, renowned Jewish leaders: Rav Dovid Cohen, Rav Avrohom Eisen, Rav Reuven Feinstein, and the Nikolsburg Rebbe – Rav Mordechai Jungreis. Their presence brought an aura of holiness and inspiration that permeated the air, creating an atmosphere charged with spirituality and growth.

School may be out, but the Emet Leaders Fellowship for college students is in full swing. The summer semester debuted recently at Congregation Beth El in Fresh Meadows. Participants enjoyed dinner followed by a group presentation, and then everyone broke into smaller groups for discussions.

Hadar Bet Yaakov students enjoyed an evening of celebration this past Wednesday night. Staff and students gathered in the ballroom for a gala event where students were honored with a myriad of commendations ranging from academic excellence to midos to STEM and even a special Congressional Award of Distinction from the office of Congresswoman Grace Meng.

Samantha Joseph, Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, recently addressed over 200 national Jewish communal stakeholders. The event, hosted by the Met Council and co-hosted by the UJA Federation of New York and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), focused on the USDA’s role in the White House’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism - specifically around securing more kosher food for pantries across America.

There is an exciting new development for many Jewish South Florida families who are currently sending their children to public school: the opening of a Jewish private school that perfectly blends public and private school education. Shorashim Academy is a premier day school that will offer cutting-edge general studies along with Hebrew and Judaic studies, all at a low tuition. The cofounders of Shorashim Academy, Dr. Gur Berman and Rabbi Isaac Melnick, have over a decade of education leadership specifically focused on Jewish public school students, many who wish they could afford the tuition of a top Jewish private school. “The bottom line is that parents who opt to send their children to public school are motivated by two things: No tuition and the quality of academics,” explained Berman, Shorashim Academy’s head of school, who was a well-loved principal of Ben Gamla Plantation.