The Israel Scouts are coming to Naples! Tuesday, June 9 7:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom See page 3 for more details.
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: 5 6 9 12 12 13 19 23 24 26 26 27 30 31
Men’s Cultural Alliance Women’s Cultural Alliance Community Focus Tributes Business Directory Jewish Interest Israel & the Jewish World Commentary Focus on Youth Rabbinical Reflections Synagogues Organizations Community Calendar Community Directory
6 Time flies when you’re having fun at WCA events
9 “Do the Right Thing” honorees from Naples HS
22 Israeli innovations save lives in Nepal
25 Naples BBYO gives back to the local community
June 2015 - Sivan/Tammuz 5775
Vol. 24 #10
Remarks delivered at Federation’s Annual Meeting (in case you missed it) Alvin Becker Federation Board Chair
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ast year, I reminded you that Yogi Berra, noted baseball philosopher, once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be,” and that Neils Bohr, world-famous physicist, had put it differently, saying that “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future.” Nevertheless, I asked you to look forward with me – to highlight three priorities for our Jewish Federation for the 2014-2015 year that was about to unfold. One, of course, was to successfully conclude our search for a successor to our retiring executive director – someone with both administrative skills and fundraising experience, and expertise to help lead us to new levels of performance in those areas. As you already know, we resoundingly accomplished that goal. After a thorough and careful
search, we selected Jeffrey and, since his official arrival at the end of August last year, he has confirmed our belief that he is a perfect match for our community and that he has the skills and personal attributes that will serve the Jewish community of Collier County very, very well. The second priority was not to be satisfied with the previous year’s record-setting campaign but to go to higher levels of performance. And we did. Our most recent campaign raised record campaign dollars, celebrated at our community event in January by one of our largest number of attendees. But we can and must do better. Here we intend to do more through organization, training and new strategies. And we must if we are to fulfill our mission to be the umbrella organization whose dollars touch many lives. To assist our efforts, we have taken steps to strengthen our financial abilities, including retaining the services of an outside auditor, modernizing our governance practices by a revision of our by-laws, securing assistance in our publicity efforts, and by embarking on a strategic planning process, about which you will be hear-
ing more as the coming year unfolds. The third priority I discussed with you last year was to create greater visibility of the Federation and of all of the many diverse things we do in the community. The attainment of this priority has no endpoint to be accomplished in a year’s time but, rather, is an ongoing process – perhaps to be mentioned every year. We have more to do in this regard. Our strategic planning process, now just underway, will be of assistance. But essential to that goal will be working with our Federation-supported agencies and partners to create a greater sense of a collective Jewish community. Much has been accomplished since I quoted Yogi Berra and Neils Bohr last year and I extend heartfelt thanks to each of you – contributors, board members, officers, volunteers and staff – and to countless others in our community for your hard work and selfless dedication to the Federation and to the Jewish community. As many of you have heard me say, “The reward for hard work is more hard work.” I will be looking to you for your continued support this coming year. Thank you.
“Stand Up For Justice” grants awarded By Carole J Greene
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t its April 21 Annual Meeting, the Jewish Federation of Collier County honored this year’s recipients of the “Stand Up For Justice” educator grant. Ryan Sickels, Cypress Palm Middle School, and Sarah Lee, Everglades City School, received monetary grants to continue their work. They were also awarded plaques and certificates of recognition for their “demonstrated effectiveness in encouraging children to respect one another and their individual differences.” Initiated five years ago by the Community Relations Council of the Federation, these grants recognize teachers, guidance counselors, school librarians, media specialists, school psychologists and administrators who use innovative activities in transformative ways to lead students toward respect for others’
Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
differences. “The goal is to create a resource for educators of any discipline to incorporate strategies that promote understanding and respect among students, countering bigotry and bullying.” All applicants must have created lessons or programs of their own design, or adapted successful activities from
other programs. These lessons should teach students to respect what racial, religious, cultural or other differences exist, and stand up for justice. Chair of the Stand Up For Justice committee, Beth-Ellen Povlow, remarked, “We appreciate all elementary,
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Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL
(Back row) Beth-Ellen Povlow, Ryan Sickels, Nancy Tarrete,(front row) Daniela Mejia, Paige Duryea, Michelle Nadelman, Gavin Ott (photos courtesy Bernadette La Paglia)