Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
2A Community Relations Comm. 6A Women’s Cultural Alliance 7A Community Focus 10A Jewish Interest 14A Tributes 15A Focus on Youth 17A Commentary 19A Rabbinical Reflections 20A Synagogues 22A Organizations 24A Business Directory 25A Community Calendar 27A Community Directory 1B Israel & the Jewish World
4A “Stand Up For Justice” award presented
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July/August 2013 - Tammuz/Av 5773
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Vol. 22 #11
The importance of affiliation Judge Norman Krivosha President
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ast month I wrote about the importance of being vigilant but unafraid of those crazies who would try to intimidate us by the use of violence; reminding ourselves of how our families and friends in Israel have fought back by not letting themselves be intimidated or their daily lives altered. Only in this way can those who would seek to do us harm realize their efforts will be unsuccessful. I believe there is an additional step that must be taken if we are to gather the strength to survive these threats, particularly if we constitute
a minority group as Jews within the larger American community. That step is to be sure that we are affiliated with the various Jewish organizations within our community. Only by affiliating do we display to everyone that we care about who we are and how we are treated. It may be easy enough to “get lost” in Naples, but “getting lost” serves no useful purpose either for the person “getting lost” nor the community of which they should be a part. The Jewish Federation of Collier County can be only as effective as the Jewish community, by its participation, permits it to be. We have no way of obtaining the necessary funds, not only to provide for those in need, but also to protect everyone else, except by your generous donations – and that means everyone. At the recent annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Collier
County, our Community Relations Committee, a division of the Federation, awarded its annual “Stand Up for Justice Educator Grant,” recognizing two area educators who have played a significant role in aiding young people to stand up against bigotry. Everyone in the community benefits from such activities; and likewise, everyone in the community should support such programs by their participation in the annual giving campaign of the Federation. Evidence available to us discloses that the number of unaffiliated Jews in Collier and southern Lee counties is growing. People seems to believe that it is not necessary to be affiliated with a synagogue or temple while living in the area during the “season,” yet nothing could be further from the truth. The strength of the Jewish community and, thus, the safety of its members
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Executive Director’s Report at Federation’s Annual Meeting, May 21 David Willens
15A Focus on Youth – schools, camps, BBYO
1B WCA/Federation Mission to Israel
6B WCA season in photos
JFCC Executive Director
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his is my 13th Annual Meeting of our Federation. Somehow, tonight feels a little like my bar mitzvah. I want to congratulate the newly elected Trustees of the Jewish Federation of Collier County and thank our existing Officers and Trustees for their commitment to another year of service on the board. The Federation staff and I look forward to working with all of you. I would like to thank our staff members for all they do – Melissa Keel, Iris Doenias and Deborah Vacca. Together, we get a great deal accomplished.
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
We want to recognize several outgoing Trustees of our board. Their interest and efforts are appreciated and commendable. Beth Grossman and Sandy Roth are not with us tonight, but they have each worked on important events and activities and have offered to continue to help when called upon. We thank Beth and Sandy. Ted Epstein, please step up to the podium so that we can acknowledge you and thank you for your dedicated leadership and service to our Federation and our community. I know that Ted is abiding by term limits; and
before you know it we trust that he will be back on our board. Ted, you are just an amazing guy. Over ten years ago, you started out as the volunteer editor of the Federation Star, and six years ago I turned the production of the paper over to you. Since then, you have become Federation Media Group, producing not only our newspaper, Connections magazine and other publicity and marketing pieces, but you also do the same for the Federations in LeeCharlotte and Sarasota-Manatee counties, here on the west coast.
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