Who is “Federation” and what do we do?

from Connections 2021

Calendar 2021

Jane Schiff, Jeffrey Feld, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Lt. Gary Martin and Chief Stephanie Spell

The answer is simple: It’s you – and every member of the Jewish community of Greater Naples and the surrounding areas. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is the thread that runs through the fabric of our Jewish community, its organizations and services, connecting us all. The Federation is your center for Jewish Philanthropy.

The Federation supports programs for Jewish people in need in Greater Naples, Israel and throughout the world, providing food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, spearheading rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives.

The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Greater Naples and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing connection, advocacy, education and care for anyone in need through its network of beneficiary and constituent agencies, and local Jewish organizations. While the Federation is doing this here, elsewhere, other Federations and network communities are doing the same; all are connected through the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

Founded on the principles of unity and dignity for all, today’s Federation has evolved into a major fundraising, planning and coordinating entity of the Greater Naples Jewish community. The Jewish Federations of North America are meeting places for Jews from all backgrounds, ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people here at home, through national initiatives, in Israel and in 60 countries globally.

Through your support of the Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, you play a vital role in helping Federation “get the job done.” Think of it as a triangle: Federation, its agencies and you. So, if anyone asks you who Federation is – just point to yourself – because that’s where it all begins.

Where does the money go?

The local Campaign allocation process involves a committee of volunteers as well as Federation staff. They take part in this important process, which balances available resources with community priorities through a grant process.

Locally, the Federation makes a grant to the Naples Senior Center at JFCS in support of the social services it provides for our community. And grants are made in support of a variety of educational and cultural programs conducted by local synagogues, the Holocaust Museum and other local Jewish organizations.

Additionally, several national organizations receive support from the domestic allocation. Internationally, your contribution works to support a broad range of social, educational and vocational needs throughout the Jewish world.

Our allocation to JFNA is distributed to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which brings relief to the needy and works to revitalize Jewish life in 60 countries, and the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), which rescues people from countries and resettles them in Israel.

We also provide supplemental grants in support of special programs and projects that our community has embraced, like Neve Michael Youth & Children’s Village in Pardes Hana, Israel; the Sapir Community Center in Kfar Saba, Israel; transportation and Shabbat dinners in Cuba; and the Progressive Synagogue Preschool in Kiev, Ukraine.

Giving tzedakah to an umbrella organization like Federation, which then distributes it to a number of member agencies, has its roots in early Jewish history. In small towns and large cities, donations were given to a communal kupah as an expression of devotion to community and the entire Jewish people. It demonstrates a love of community that is without limitation.

Annual Community Campaign

The annual fundraising arm of the Jewish Federation is organized to secure maximum funds to meet the financial needs of our local, regional, national and overseas humanitarian organizations and beneficiary agencies.

Major Gifts and Lions of Judah Campaigns

Major Gifts and Lions of Judah are the premier fundraising divisions of the Jewish Federation. These divisions provide exclusive social experiences to the community’s leading Jewish philanthropists who give a major portion of the Annual Campaign dollars raised each year. These donors are dedicated leaders involved in Federation’s extended lifeline of humanitarian relief and support.

Pomegranate Society

The Federation’s Pomegranate Society, formed in 2017, represents a new level of giving for women’s philanthropy. A minimum gift to the Annual Campaign of $1,800 in her own name qualifies a woman to be a member of the Pomegranate Society. The Pomegranate Society program represents the best of what Federation does, bringing together likeminded women to do a world of good – promoting, supporting, enhancing and celebrating Jewish life.

New Building/ Capital Campaign

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is in the process of building a new home. This decision was based on the information that was gathered from the Needs Assessment/Demographic Study that was conducted by Brandeis University, in 2017. At this time, rezoning has been unanimously granted by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners. The goal of the capital campaign is $14 million. Currently, we have commitments of $7.8 million. We hope that everyone in the community will help bring the dream to fruition, so that we may create a warm and welcoming home for our Jewish community to enjoy for many years to come.

**Jeffrey Feld, Avram Infeld and Jane Schiff**

**Lions and Pomegranates on the veranda of the Yacht Club**

TOP Jewish Foundation

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has a legacy partner called the TOP (Tampa, Orlando, Pinellas) Jewish Foundation. TOP began over three decades ago as a regional endeavor of three Jewish Federations. Since its inception, TOP has grown to manage nearly $50 million of the community’s assets and taken a leading role in promoting and securing legacy gifts and commitments, ensuring a strong Jewish future.

TOP prides itself on being the only Jewish Foundation that maintains a strict anti-terror and anti-BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) investment policy. It has worked with its investment manager, Goldman Sachs, to create a screening tool that does not allow any such problematic companies to enter its portfolio.

TOP offers its partners – organizations and individuals just like you – a level of white-glove service, regardless of your fund’s balance. As a partnership, it recognizes that it is through your generosity that our entire community can continue to grow in strength.

Finally, in working with TOP for your philanthropic goals, you’ll find that it truly lives up to its tagline: We make giving easy.

For more information about TOP, please contact Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director, at 239-263-4205 or mfriedland@ jewishnaples.org.

Community Outreach Each year, the Federation hosts numerous events, affording the community opportunities to gather, socialize, network and connect.

The following is a sampling of the larger ones: The Evy Lipp People of the Book Cultural Event is attended by 600- 750 people. Past speakers include Alan Dershowitz, Ted Koppel, Jeffrey Toobin, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and Dr. Daniel Gordis.

Our Sixth Annual Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival features 21 authors at 19 events.

The community Chanukah celebrations in Naples and on Marco Island are always festive events, with the lighting of the giant menorah.

The Federation has sponsored visits and performances of the Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan since 2015 and will continue to do so on an annual basis.

Publications

The Federation publishes the Federation Star, a monthly newspaper that is mailed to more than 3,400 Jewish households in the Greater Naples area.

The newspaper is the one publication that ties together our Jewish community. If something local is happening that is Jewish-related, you’ll read about it in the Federation Star. The latest and past issues can be viewed online at jewishnaples.org.

The Federation also compiles, updates and distributes the annual Community Directory for use by the Jewish community. And this copy of Connections is published by the Federation.

Website

Visitors to jewishnaples.org will find a wealth of information, including upcoming Federation events, the community calendar, the Women’s Cultural Alliance, the Men’s Cultural Alliance, and links to news items relating to Israel and the Jewish world. There is also a directory of local synagogues and organizations and links to online versions of recent issues of the Federation Star and this publication.

Community Calendar

The Federation, as the community clearinghouse to coordinate services, compiles and maintains a calendar for scheduling meetings and events of all Jewish organizations in the area, in an effort to avoid scheduling conflicts.

eNewsletter

Each week, the Federation emails a community eNewsletter with the latest on upcoming community events and cultural activities, news from Israel, important news updates and more. To sign up, please send your request to info@jewishnaples.org.

And so much more

These are just some of the highlights to answer the question, “Who is Federation and what do we do?” You’ll find lots more in this resource guide, courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.