Miriam has been a dedicated volunteer with Montevideo's Jewish community for years because, she says, "our people should know that there is always a heart and hand to help each other in our time of need." She spends hours each week giving dignity back to hundreds of poor Jewish families through the Tzedaká Uruguay Foundation, a Jewish social services organization established with help from JDC. She is also one of the founding members of a Tzedaká women's commission that supports programs for children and families struggling to rebuild their lives since the country's economic crisis earlier this decade.

Find out how JDC's innovative leadership trainings are equipping Miriam and a wide network of community workers like her to help Jews in need throughout Latin America.

When Malash A., 21, an Ethiopian Israeli, received his draft notice from the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) three years ago he was filled with shock and worry. His family had moved from a rural village in Ethiopia to Jerusalem only a few years before and was still struggling to adapt to the cultural realities of life in Israel; his parents did not have the personal experience to advise him through the recruitment process.

Find out how JDC's army preparedness program helped him make it into one of Israel's elite combat units and put him on the path to success.

When Isak, 6, Stephany, 11, and Maria, 13, received their first JDC package of winter clothing they embraced the social worker and exclaimed, "These are our first new jeans! We've never had jeans that were our size before."

Their parents, Harry and Yana, choked back tears, unsure how to react to their children's overwhelming joy at receiving a simple article of clothing—something which they were no longer able to materially provide themselves.

Find out how JDC is helping newly impoverished families hit hard by economic crisis in Bulgaria endure these hardest of times.

“Mora” (teacher) Rosana Jacofsky, a long-time teacher at JDC’s Baby Help program in Buenos Aires, Argentina dedicates the majority of her time to children with physical and psychological difficulties at the day care. “We are constantly reminded that love can break through any barrier,” she says.

This Passover, watching her students interacting with the elderly residents of the LeDor VaDor senior complex, Rosana reveled in the value, for all ages, of this intergenerational exchange. “I wish that every child would have a chance to experience something like this.”

Find out how JDC Baby Help’s intergenerational program in Argentina is bringing the holiday spirit to young and old alike this season.

“From year to year our community grows and develops… more and more people participate in different programs and clubs,” says Simon, who’s watched his community transform since he first attended the local JCC at age eight. “Sharing Jewish tradition is very important to me. It’s not just my duty to the community; it’s my obligation to my ancestors.”

Find out how JDC’s leadership initiative in the former Soviet Union as empowered Simon—and dozens of young Jews across the region—to lead inspiring Passover celebrations this week.