Women’s Cultural Alliance

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

Our website, wcanaples.org, provides everything you need to know about WCA! And it makes it easy to join — you can even pay your dues online. Using the website, members can register for programs and events as well as view group offerings, the WCA calendar and publications, and much more.

We are delighted to be able to resume in-person programming this season. And we are thrilled that the new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center will offer beautiful and spacious venues, providing us more opportunities for meetings and programs, including the 2022-23 Jewish Book Festival, which WCA is proud to continue to sponsor.

WCA’s array of offerings typically include a wide variety of interest groups for women who enjoy reading (10 book groups), playing games (bridge, mahjongg, canasta), physical exercise (biking, bowling, chair yoga, golf, pickleball, walking), food (Serious Foodies, Ladies Who Lunch), music (Second Act Singers), movies and film (three film groups), crafts (knitting, crocheting, needlepoint), birdwatching, drama and literature (Modern Playwrights, Reader’s Theater and two “New Yorker” groups, Ted Talks), and more!

WCA offers classes on topics ranging from art to Spanish, French, Jewish genealogy and, this year, Managing Your Wealth. A highlight of WCA programming is its phenomenal Speaker Series on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. We are also resuming trips, scheduling various local “Destination Adventures” and a bus trip to the Wick Costume Museum and Theater in March.

2023 programs

WCA has always had a strong social component, with opportunities for new and renewed friendships. We were overjoyed to hold our traditional Welcome Back Luncheon last November after a 2-year absence. Over 350 women gathered and were treated to a presentation by Donna McGinnis, president and CEO of Naples Botanical Garden. In December, we lit up the night and the menorah at the Chanukah Dinner Dance.

Our annual Mahjongg Day will be in January and the popular International Potluck Lunch and annual Canasta Day in March. Other programs include a style show and a community volunteer expo to expose members to local volunteer activities, both in January, as well as our second member Artisan Showcase in February.

Members have numerous opportunities to meet for tea, coffee, lunch and cocktails. Koffee Klatch, New Member Coffees and Ladies who Lunch have many dates scheduled. We have five local art studio tours planned as well as opportunities to explore your creative side with art classes offered by WCA members.

All WCA activities are run by volunteers, enabling 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 continued to grow. In the summer of 2021, the daughter of a board member started the WCA Younger Division, 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. During the summer of 2022, many WCA members participated in “northern” activities.

Become a member

The wide range of programs offered by WCA is not the only reason more than 1,350 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 our programs.

Join today! The membership year runs Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, but new members are always welcome. Membership in WCA automatically makes you a member of JFGN. Visit wcanaples.org for more information and how to join.

Direct questions to WCA Membership Director Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com.