When Lewis D. Cole, 94, died on Saturday, June 28, Louisville lost a senior statesman, a consummate volunteer and a true leader in every sense of the word. Cole's vision, direction and creativity had a profound impact on many areas of our community and our nation, from Metro United Way to the Jewish community to the pension system for communal service workers across the country. more

Eliahu Academy closed its doors at the end of the 2007-2008 school year due to dwindling enrollment and increasing difficulties in raising the funds necessary to sustain the school, despite substantial support from the Jewish Community Federation and community contributors. more

"The Jewish Community Federation's Foundation for Planned Giving is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the Jefferson County Public Schools by making a $10,000 grant to the school district to help it implement 'The Exploring Civics: Facing History and Ourselves' curriculum in 21 JCPS high schools this fall," Foundation Chair Robert H. Sachs announced on Tuesday, May 6. "This grant will be used to help fund a Summer Institute to teach the teachers how to use these materials. more

The excitement started early on Sunday, May 18, as nearly 200 cyclists and nearly 100 walkers gathered in the field near the Drivers License Bureau on Dutchmans Lane to kick-off a full day of celebration for Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, organized by the Jewish Community Federation. Congressman John Yarmuth and ride/walk co-chairs Matthew Karr and Stanley Miles gave everyone a pep talk and at 11 a.m., the bikers, many carrying small Israeli flags, set off on their 19.48-mile trek (Israel was established in 1948) that took them across the Second Street bridge, through Seneca Park and back to the Jewish Community Center. They were part of a world-wide event: Ride with Israel@60. more

They are young - just 19-25 years old. They come from Tel Avai and Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Netanya, cities, kibbutzim and moshavim. Some have served in the Israeli Defense Forces and others haven't. Some have studied in college, some have only completed high school. But they all share one thing - a passion for dance, and together they are the Kibbutz Gaaton Dance Group from the Western Galilee, our Partnership with Israel region. more

In keeping with its mission, “to build and strengthen the highest quality of Jewish life in order to ensure the future of a vibrant Jewish community,” the Jewish Community Federation's Board of Directors is looking into the possibility of purchasing a piece of land in Louisville's East End. more

Did you miss the call?

There's still time to make your commitment to the 2008 Federation Annual Campaign. Click here to make your pledge today.

When you support the Campaign, your are supporting the Jewish agencies and programs in Louisville, and you are helping Jews in Israel and around the world.

Muhammad Ali Pays a Surprise Visit

When a group of 10 Israeli teens from Acco – five Jewish and five Arab – and their teachers came to Louisville this week, they expected to talk with Louisville teens about their Triwizard project. They expected to let people know that people of different cultures and backgrounds can build bridges and become friends.

They did not expect that their event with teens from Central, Atherton and Manual High Schools and students from St. Francis of Assisi and Nativity Academy at the Muhammad Ali Center would capture the attention of the world renowned boxer himself and bring the champ out to meet them. But that is exactly what happened.

more

Recently, several groups have traveled to Isreal and a group of Israeli teens came here.

Check out these stories:

Families Discover Israel and Make Connections

Kesher Kentucky Teens Strengthen Links to Isreal and Judaism

Building Friendships, Communities through Partnership

Israel Draws Two Families Back to Explore the Country and Help Others

Kohn Family Returns to Israel for Second Group Trip

Through Art and Partnership, Goldin Connects to Israel

Kefiada Teens Bring Israel and Excitement to JCC Camp

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Standing in the sparse shade of a Cyprus tree in the Old City, a group of parents gathered closer to hear the story of how the Tribes of Israel became the Jewish people in these same ancient streets 3,000 years ago.

read more...

I stand here today moved and appreciative of the trust you have placed in me on behalf of our people. Your trust is of value to me, it places a great duty on me, one which I, as President of the State, will carry with reverence and a deep feeling of mission. click here for more

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Amos Avgar won't talk about the signs of death he saw in Myanmar in the days immediately following Cyclone Nargis. read more...

It's not business as usual in 2008.

Every day, we watch the prices at the gas pumps go up and wonder how much higher they are going to go. And as gas prices rise, so do the prices on almost everything else. We are all feeling the pinch.

That makes the Federation Annual Campaign even more crucial this year.

more

Have you ever heard a musician play water?

If you were at the Idan Raichel Project concert on Tuesday, May 13, in the Bomhard Theater in the Kentucky Center for the Arts, your answer would be yes.

more

more

Signature HealthCARE, LLC, has signed a Letter of Intent with the Jewish Hospital organization to purchase Four Courts Senior Center in Louisville. The transaction is expected to be complete on February 29. Signature assumed operational responsibility for the facility January 31. more

As we look to the future, many of us are concerned about the ability of the Jewish Community Federation and our community agencies to remain relevant to the changing needs of the Jews of Louisville. To ensure the continuity and vibrancy of our community, Steve Shapiro has established a Community Realignment Task Force, chaired by Bob Sachs, to take a close look at who we are today and make recommendations regarding where we need to be tomorrow. more

Send an E-card