3 minute read
Connections!
It’s all about connections! Here we are in Greater Naples, Florida, and we are very lucky. We get to enjoy the many wonderful experiences our community has to offer.
Beyond the blue skies, white sand beaches, palm trees, beautiful weather, etc., what makes our community wonderful? The first thing that pops into my mind are the people. Everyone I have met is as warm and engaging as the climate. It really is the people talking with each other, socializing, shopping … in other words, making connections. It’s all about the relationships — the connections.
Because of all our connections, we now have the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, the new home of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, located at 4720 Pine Ridge Road. Our grand opening was Jan. 15, 2023, so we are about to celebrate the building’s second birthday. In moving into our new home, we have more opportunities to continue connections with members of our community and our partners. We have the good fortune to be able to welcome people here for all kinds of programs and meetings.
Security is always at the forefront of what we do. Members should always remember to bring and utilize their identification badge to get into the building.
We, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, believe in building connections. We do this formally and informally. We do this singularly and collaboratively. You might ask, how does Federation do this? I’m glad you asked!
We build connections through our Federation Executive Committee and Board of Directors as well as through Federation committees and activities, including:
• Camp Scholarship Committee
• Catholic-Jewish Dialogue
• Human Needs Award
• Israel and Overseas Committee
• Jewish Book Festival
• Jewish Community Relations Council
• Jewish Families with Children
• Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance
• Jewish Young Professionals
• Men’s Cultural Alliance
• PJ Library
• Singles Social Group
• Stand Up for Justice Grant
• Women’s Cultural Alliance
In our Greater Naples community, we collaborate with agencies, congregations and organizations to provide:
• Cultural Programs and Adult Education
• Local Humanitarian and Social Services
• Youth Programs and Youth Education
We are fortunate in this community to be able to work closely with Beth Tikvah, BBYO Naples, Chabad of Naples, Chabad at FGCU, Temple Shalom, Baker Senior Center, Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center, Naples Jewish Congregation, Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, Chabad of Bonita Springs and Estero, Jewish War Veterans, Cardozo Society, and others.
Federation also works with these national and international Jewish organizations:
• American Friends of Magen David Adom
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
• Jewish National Fund (JNF)
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
• Arava Institute
• Ethiopia National Project (ENP)
• Jewish Agency For Israel (JAFI)
• Neve Michael Children’s Village
• ORT
• Sapir Community Center – Kfar Saba
• Special in Uniform
• Susan’s House
• Taglit-Birthright Israel
• Yad LaKashish-Lifeline for the Old
• Jewish Federations of North America
Being a member of the Jewish community is all about connecting with one another. Federation recognizes the importance of “Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh L’zeh,” which means “All Israel is responsible, one for each other.”
Again, it is all about the connections we know and even some we may not know. Being connected, being responsible in some way for each other, having all of these opportunities and experiences, is absolutely wonderful!
Let’s continue to grow our community through all our connections.
Jewish Together Builds Our Future.
