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:
4A Community Relations Comm. 6A Women’s Cultural Alliance 7A Community Focus 10A Jewish Interest 13A Israel & the Jewish World 17A Tributes 18A Focus on Youth 21A Commentary 22A Rabbinical Reflections 23A Synagogues 25A Organizations 28A Business Directory 30A Community Calendar 31A Community Directory 1B Jewish Happenings
2A In Memoriam – Shereen Willens
3A Nine-day mission to Ukraine and Israel - Pt. 2
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Vol. 22 #2
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The more I learn, the more amazed I am Judge Norman Krivosha President
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begin this month’s column on a sad note. As many of you know, Shereen Willens, wife of our Executive Director, David Willens, lost her heroic battle with cancer on August 24, 2012. She was an inspiration to all of us and she will be sorely missed. We all extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to David and his entire family. May her memory serve to be a comfort to David and his entire family during these difficult times. On a happier note, I have spent some of the summer downtime getting acquainted with the Federation and its many activities. The more I learn, the more amazed I become. For a relativity small community (as compared to Chicago, Kansas City or Cleveland), we do some wonderful things and provide assistance to some wonderful projects. The list consists of projects locally, statewide, nationally and worldwide. Many may be known to all of you, such as supporting Jewish Family & Community Services and the religious education programs at Temple Shalom, Beth Tikvah and Chabad of Naples. And, of course,
we cannot forget the Women’s Cultural Alliance and the more than 800 women participating in all manner of activities under the leadership of Jane Hersch. Others may be less well known such as Hillel at Florida Gulf Coast University. Most know of our significant support for the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, but less about our support for the Center for Judaic, Holocaust & Human Rights Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University or our local Jewish War Veterans Post. The same applies on a national basis. You may be aware of our support for the Jewish National Fund, the Anti-Defamation League or Magen David Adom; but how many are aware of our support for the Birthright Israel project, which each year takes young adults to Israel for a taste of immersed Jewish life in an atmosphere that really matters.
Our presence in Israel is likewise significant. We generously support Neve Michael Youth & Children’s Home. Additionally, we support Yad LaKashish, an institution that provides older Israelis with an opportunity to remain active through weaving, knitting or woodwork, while retaining their sense of worth and purpose. Helene and I have visited these facilities on earlier trips to Israel and know firsthand the value of their work. But how many know about our support for the Sapir Community Center in Israel, a community for Ethiopian Jews living in Kfar Saba? I recently had the opportunity to read an email from Revital Lubinsky, the Director for External Relations and Resource Development. She wrote to tell us how we were playing an important role in advancing the growth and
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SOMETHING NEW FOR MEN ONLY!
We have heard from many women through our Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA), that their husbands/significant others are looking for ways to meet other men for golf, tennis, fishing, cards, lunch, discussion groups and a host of other activities…For Men Only! The Jewish Federation of Collier County invites you to an Exploratory Meeting to discuss your interests in starting a new social group just for the guys. Please join us on Thursday, November 15 at 3 p.m. in the Federation Community Room to share your interest, thoughts and ideas, and explore this opportunity.
For more information or to RSVP, email Steve Brazina at sbrazina@aol.com.
ConneCt with your Jewish Community
9A Local authors pen children’s book
20A Temple Shalom Preschool
October 2012 - Tishrei/Heshvan 5773
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Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
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See Section B for Jewish Happenings