Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
3 Community Relations Comm. 6 Women’s Cultural Alliance 7 Community Focus 11 Jewish Interest 16 Tributes 17 Israel & the Jewish World 20 Focus on Youth 21 Commentary 23 Synagogues 25 Organizations 28 Business Directory 29 Community Calendar 31 Community Directory
3 40 attend Jewish Business Connection
5 Passover celebration in Kiev, Ukraine
Y
July/August 2012 - Tammuz/Av/Elul 5772
13 Local theater preview
Vol. 21 #11
My term ahead Judge Norman Krivosha President s I begin to write this, my first President’s message for the Federation Star, the impact of having been elected President of the Jewish Federation of Collier County begins to take hold. I am honored beyond words by the selection to this very important position in our community and I pray that I shall be able to fulfill the position to the best of my ability. I join with many others in thanking the retiring Directors for their selfless work on behalf of our community and in particular single out Ken Shevin for his many hours of devoted service to the Federation and, of course, Rosalee Bogo, for whom no words can be sufficient. I shall not try to “fill her shoes,” as I cannot possibly do that. Firstly, I have never learned to walk in high heels and secondly, no one could repeat her style. I shall only
A
hope that I may continue the trail she created for the betterment of all. I have been asked two frequent questions since the election. The first one is, “Why elect someone president who has never before served on the Federation Board?” The answer is simple. At my age I just do not have time to work my way through the chairs. I can only hope that my years of involvement in community activities, both Jewish and secular, as well as my devotion to Judaism will help me through every endeavor I undertake. The second question is even more interesting. Many have asked, “Are you crazy?” Here, again, the answer is very simple. I have always felt it necessary to be a part of the community I lived in, and if a need exits and I could be of assistance, I should do it. It is just that simple. In this case it is even easier, due in no small part to an extraordinary, wonderful Board and an outstanding and extremely competent Executive Director and staff who do the “heavy lifting.” But even beyond all of that, our tradition compels me to serve. Much of what we are as Jews requires us
to assist those less fortunate. Not only are we required to aid the needy with charity, but we must do it in such a way as to not diminish their self-esteem. We are commanded that when we reap our fields, we are to leave the corners alone. They belong to the poor who are to receive the corners as an entitlement. They are to be able to satisfy their needs without having to beg or lose their self-respect. That is what a Federation is all about – satisfying the needs of the less fortunate without destroying their self-respect and at the same time bolstering the broader Jewish community to benefit everyone. In Hebrew the word for justice is tzedek and the word for charity, not by accident, is tzedakah. The giving of charity is the doing of justice, and each of us is required to “do justice and to love goodness and to walk modestly” with Hashem. How then could I possibly pass up an opportunity to be so involved in an organization whose only mission is to do justice. With the assistance of all of you who have offered to help, I look forward to the term ahead.
BBYO comes to Collier County! David Willens
9 Rabbi Simcha Weinstein entertains at Museum
Y
JFCC Executive Director he first Collier County informational meeting to establish BBYO (a Jewish teen movement) in our community took place on Thursday evening, May 24, in the Federation’s Community Room. The outpouring of interest for this initiative was totally amazing, with standing room only as nearly 100 people attended. Parents, teens, tweens and alumni came to learn more about BBYO
T
Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL
and how to establish AZA and BBG Chapters for high school teens, BBYO Connect programs for middle school tweens, and a BBYO Friends & Jewish lives while making a differAlumni Network (FAN) to support ence in the world. This year BBYO the effort. This initiative is a partwill engage over 36,000 Jewish teens nership of the Jewish Federation of throughout North America and over Collier County, Temple Shalom, Beth Tikvah and Chabad Naples; and is an continued on page 4 unaffiliated effort for the entire Collier County Jewish community. BBYO is one of the world’s leading Jewish movements, convening and connecting teens of all backgrounds to beAttendees enjoyed pizza before the start of the meeting come inspired to live
Only 7 seats left for the WCA/Federation trip to Israel April 4-12, 2013. See page 8 for details.