Women’s Cultural Alliance

The Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA), an affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, provides a wide variety of programming for members to meet other women who share similar interests. If you are new to Southwest Florida, membership in WCA is an easy way to become active in your new community.

In preparation for its 14th season, WCA introduced a new membership management system, resulting in a new website, wcanaples.org, that provides everything you need to know about WCA! Now it is easier to join and register for WCA’s program offerings.

In response to COVID-19, WCA drastically changed its plans last season and is modifying them for the first part of 2022. But not even this unprecedented pandemic will deter WCA from meeting its goal of bringing likeminded women together.

WCA’s array of offerings typically include a wide variety of interest groups for women who enjoy reading (nine book groups), playing games (bridge, mah jongg, scrabble, canasta), physical exercise (biking, bowling, chair yoga, golf), food (Serious Foodies, Ladies Who Lunch), music (Jazz Junkies, Second Act Singers), movies and film (two film groups), crafts (knitting, crocheting, needlepoint), birdwatching, drama and literature (Modern Playwrights, Reader’s Theater and two “New Yorker” groups) – and more!

WCA offers classes on topics ranging from art to Spanish, French, memoir writing, Jewish genealogy, mental and emotional health, and more. A highlight of WCA programming is its phenomenal Speaker Series.

2022 programs

WCA has always had a strong social component, with opportunities for new and renewed friendships. This year, like last, the traditional Welcome Back Luncheon, typically held in November, will be transformed. We plan to gather in person in February to celebrate “Our Community of Friendship,” provided COVID regulations permit. We are looking into the possibility of offering our traditional Welcome Back Luncheon in November 2022. We also hope to hold our annual Mah Jongg and Canasta Days early in 2002, as well as the popular International Potluck Lunch.

Members will still have opportunities to meet for tea, coffee, lunch or cocktails, and even participate in art studio tours — but many may need to be through Zoom. WCA is proud to continue its annual sponsorship of the 2021-22 Jewish Book Festival.WCA activities arerun by volunteers, en abling WCA to offer a wide variety of programs. We are always looking for programming ideas and volunteers to accommodate more women in groups and activities. Satellite groups WCA’s programming in Southwest Florida is year-round. To better serve its members, WCA offers programs for couples and has two “satellite groups,” each offering additional programs. WCA North serves women who live in Bonita Springs, Estero and south Fort Myers; WCA South serves south and east Naples, down to Marco Island. All members may participate in WCA North and South programs. WCA Younger Division Even during COVID, WCA continues to grow. In the summer of 2021, the WCA Younger Division was started by the daughter of a board member, offering evening and Sunday programming for women younger than 60. This new group enables like-minded women to engage in activities relevant to younger women, especially those who work or have children at home and are unable to participate in daytime activities. Summer Branches WCA members were having such a wonderful time in Southwest Florida that they wanted to “take WCA home with them.” So, WCA established Summer Branches in several areas throughout North America: Canada, The Berkshires, Boston Metro North, Connecticut, Del Valley (New Jersey, Pennsylvania,and Delaware), Illinois, Michigan, New York City/Metro New Jersey, and Washington DC/Virginia/Maryland. Become a member The wide range of programs offered by WCA is not the only reason more than 1,200 women have joined. With most members being transplants from other cities, WCA provides an easy path to enjoying new friends and becoming involved in the community. WCA is nonpartisan and nonsectarian. However, you must be a member of WCA to participate in its programs. Join today! The membership year runs Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, but new members are always welcome. Membership in WCA automatically makes you a member of JFGN. Visit wcanaples.orgfor more information and how to join. Direct questions to WCA Membership Director Harriett Kleinman athmkleinman@gmail.com.

Topics for WCA’s 2021-22 Speaker Series:

• Should I Stay or Go? Understanding Senior Housing in Southwest Florida

• Overcoming Emotional Eating

• Disability Advocate

• How COVID Affected Fall Broadway Openings

• Biden’s First Year — A Pollster Examines Biden’s Performance

• Global Children’s Health

• Flamenco Presentation

• Naples Art

• On Moms and Daughters

• Writing Romance Novels