Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

09/04/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate our CEO, Mariam Feist, on her election to the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) Board of Governors! 🎉

The Board of Governors serves as JAFI's highest governing body, bringing together leaders from around the world to help shape the future of Israel and global Jewish communities. Mariam's election is a tremendous honor that reflects her decades of visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to Jewish communal life, and steadfast commitment to building vibrant Jewish communities both here in Northeast Florida and around the world.

We are honored to have Mariam leading our Federation and proud to see her voice helping guide one of the Jewish world's most influential organizations. Mazel tov, Mariam, on this well-deserved achievement!

09/03/2026

🌟 BIG Night 2027 is coming! 🌟

🗓️ Sunday, February 7
🕰️ 7:00PM
Cost to attend is FREE*

We will be joined by very special celebrity stand-up comedian, television host, and talent show judge Howie Mandel! 🎤

Become a BIG Night ambassador and get exclusive access to event details, an invitation to our BIG Night Ambassador Kick-Off, and first chance to grab your BIG Night tickets. Sign up today! 👉 https://bit.ly/4bZjMGT



*Please note that while there is no charge for the event, all attendees will be asked to make a minimum commitment of $180 to the 2027 Annual Campaign.

09/02/2026

Last week, our Community Security Director, Alex Silverstein, visited the Sisterhood of Congregation Ahavath Chesed - The Temple for an engaging and informative Power of Hello training session.

Through interactive discussion and real-world scenarios, participants learned to:
✔️ Recognize suspicious behavior
✔️ Apply the Power of Hello approach
✔️ Know when and how to seek additional help

By working together and strengthening security awareness across our community, we are helping build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Jewish community throughout Northeast Florida.

Thank you for partnering with us in this important work!

09/01/2026

🇵🇦 ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!

What happens when you combine Jewish brotherhood, luxury travel, incredible Jewish heritage, and one unforgettable destination?

You get the Federation Men’s Trip to Panama!

Join us October 28–November 1, 2026 for five days and four nights experiencing Panama like few travelers ever will — with the access, connections, and community that make a Federation trip truly special.

✨ Stay at the JW Marriott
✡️ Explore Panama’s vibrant Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
🚢 Enjoy a VIP visit to the Panama Canal
🌴 Experience the tropical beauty of Gamboa Island and the rainforest
🏛️ Discover Panama’s Old City and Casco Viejo
🕯️ Share Shabbat in Panama City
🤝 Build friendships and memories with fellow Jewish men from our community

Don't wait - register today! https://bit.ly/4yamHF4

08/27/2026

Yesterday, our Community Security Director, Alex Silverstein, helped organize and conduct presentations for students, parents, and faculty of the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School and the Bernard and Alice Selevan Religious School at the Jacksonville Jewish Center on a very important and relevant topic: staying safe online. 📱🌐

Joining Alex were Supervisory Special Agent Sam Parker and Special Agent Ana Marcus of the FBI - Jacksonville. Thank you for committing your time to this program - It's never too early to teach our children about the risks of being online and how to keep themselves safe in this ever-evolving digital age. 🔒

08/26/2026

Big Night 2027 Ambassador signup is OPEN! Help us spread the word about Howie Mandel coming to town for the BIGGEST Jewish philanthropic event in Northeast Florida! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bZjMGT

🎤 BIG Night just got BIGGER!

We’re thrilled to announce that Howie Mandel will be joining us for BIG Night 2027! 🎉

📅 Save the Date: Sunday, February 7

We’re also looking for our next group of BIG Night ambassadors! As an ambassador, you’ll get:
✨ Exclusive access to event details
✨ An invitation to our exclusive BIG Night Ambassador Kick-Off
✨ First chance to grab tickets before they’re available to the broader community

Help us make BIG Night an unforgettable night for our community - become a BIG Night ambassador! 👉 https://bit.ly/4bZjMGT

More details coming soon. For now, mark your calendar and get ready for a BIG night with Howie Mandel!

08/26/2026

This year's National Young Leadership Cabinet (NYLC) Retreat in Minneapolis, Minnesota welcomed local cabinet members from our Northeast Florida Jewish community. Our second year members Brandon Sugg and Kim Zavon had this to say about their experiences...

"As I head back from my second retreat words can't express how grateful I am for this amazing group of people," Kim said. "The learning sessions were amazing and I can take back so much information to my local Federation."

Brandon agreed with this sentiment. "One of the many (many) highlights was spending the evening as guests of Mark Wilf and family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings stadium as they prepare for the NFL season," he explained. "Mark's leadership, generosity, and commitment to the Jewish community are truly inspiring, and it was a privilege to learn from him."

Brandon went on to say, "Cabinet is more than a leadership program. It's a place where emerging global leaders and philanthropists grow into lifelong changemakers, shaping the future of the Jewish community with courage, compassion, and purpose. I'm honored to be part of it."

08/25/2026

We are so grateful to everyone who joined the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida’s 2026 Annual Meeting!

🌟 We presented the Ilene Sari Selevan Young Leadership Award to Gigi & Dan Schwartz, recognizing their outstanding commitment to our community.

🏆 Cindy Demri accepted the Joe P. Safer Community Service Award on behalf of her remarkable husband, Moti Demri z”ll.

🎤 Iris Kraemer hosted an engaging Q&A with JFNA Board Chair, Gary Torgow

🔥 AND THE BIG REVEAL… BIG NIGHT 2027’S CELEBRITY ENTERTAINER IS HOWIE MANDEL! 🎉 Be part of making this unforgettable night happen by becoming a Big Night ambassador! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bZjMGT

Thank you for showing up, celebrating together, and helping us build a stronger Jewish community. We can’t wait to see you at Big Night 2027!

08/21/2026

🎤 BIG Night just got BIGGER!

We’re thrilled to announce that Howie Mandel will be joining us for BIG Night 2027! 🎉

📅 Save the Date: Sunday, February 7

We’re also looking for our next group of BIG Night ambassadors! As an ambassador, you’ll get:
✨ Exclusive access to event details
✨ An invitation to our exclusive BIG Night Ambassador Kick-Off
✨ First chance to grab tickets before they’re available to the broader community

Help us make BIG Night an unforgettable night for our community - become a BIG Night ambassador! 👉 https://bit.ly/4bZjMGT

More details coming soon. For now, mark your calendar and get ready for a BIG night with Howie Mandel!

08/21/2026

Our Community Security Director, Alex Silverstein, is providing critical safety training and emergency preparedness education across Northeast Florida to help prepare teachers, staff, and volunteers to keep our children and communities safe this school year. 🏫🔒

So far, trainings have been held for Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, Torah Academy of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Jewish Center religious school, and Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten at the Jewish Community Alliance - and the tour isn't over yet!

By equipping the people who care for and educate our children with the knowledge and tools to respond in an emergency, we are strengthening the safety and security of our entire community.

This vital work is made possible because of your generous support. Thank you for helping us invest in preparedness, empower our educators and volunteers, and protect our community. 💙