Federation Star - April 2022 by jewishnaples

CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

FEDERATI N STAR

Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

www.JewishNaples.org  April 2022 – Adar II/Nisan 5782  Vol. 31 #8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 14

Women’s Cultural Alliance

Men’s Cultural Alliance

Community Focus

Tributes

Organizations

Focus on Youth

1A Jewish Interest 5A Israel & The Jewish World 7A Commentary 9A Synagogue News 11A Community Directory

PAID

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Fort Myers, FL Permit No 1101

Non Profit Org U.S. Postage

Rabbi Skorka to Visit Naples Attend and learn about the historical significance of Rabbi Skorka’s ongoing 25-year relationship with Pope Francis. 7

The benefits of membership are in the giving Kirk Wisemayer, Annual Community Campaign Director

ome lessons never fade, remaining with us forever. That which has remained most vivid for me is on the obligations of membership in the Jewish people. There are mitzvot, whose performance is designed to make us better people as individual Jews, while others are designed to enhance our relationships with one another, as well as with G-d. Yet, there are only two mitzvot, aside from circumcision, we are required to perform to be considered members of the Jewish people: Attending or participating in a Passover (Pesach) Seder, and giving tzedakah, or charity, through a communal appeal. Pesach has little, if anything, to do with our personal observance or faith, and everything to do with our collective identity as a people. Peoplehood comes first, both in the reliving of our flight from slavery and in the retelling of our flight to freedom. This was our redemption, and when we became a people. It is why our presence at a Seder is so important; why it is the only one of our holidays at which each Jew present must drink from the Kiddush wine, and each successive cup. Pesach, and the Seder specifically, is our annual renewal as members of the Jewish people. It is no coincidence that Pesach occurs in the month of Nisan, the first in the Jewish calendar. With Pesach begins the

cycle of our year. It is the Independence Day or New Year of the Jewish people, whereas Rosh Hashanah (New Year), which occurs in the seventh month (Tishri), is the birthday of the world, or the New Year of creation. The holiday that follows Pesach is Shavuot, the celebration of the 10 commandments, the revelation at Sinai. As every Jew is believed to have been at Sinai, so, too, it is believed that every Jew participated, as a nation, in the very first communal fundraising campaign. It is why, like the retelling of the Exodus at the Seder table, each generation since, wherever they have lived in the world, has given to an annual campaign in their local Jewish community. Yes, there are many forms of tzedakah, but most are largely forms of individual tzedakah. Communal giving differs because, like the Seder, it is a renewal or an act of membership. It is how we demonstrate peoplehood. Sinai was the birth of Jewish philanthropy and, because we can no longer all be present together at Sinai, for generations since, we give as a people in our local community to help Jews the world over. When we give to a communal appeal, or an annual campaign, our symbolic Sinai, we are saying that we act together, each of us, to ensure the welfare of our people, that of each and every Jew. We relive Sinai. While there is much more to Judaism and to being a Jew than peoplehood, and while Sinai might have been the defining moment that shaped (and shapes) the content and values of our identity as a people, the fact that Pesach is our very first holiday is enormously significant. Why? Because it means our sense of peoplehood,

our collective identity, depends upon the extent to which we each participate in Jewish life and community, as well as the extent to which we allow our Jewish values and practices, individually, to shape us a people. We are strongest when we act together, which is why we left Egypt as a people, and why our greatest accomplishments since are, and always will be, those we make possible together and by giving as a community. As you sit at your Seder table, or that of someone else, remember that you are doing much more than the telling of history. You are reliving it. You are renewing your membership in Jewish peoplehood, and you are doing so together with millions of Jews all over the world, affirming you are a member of a global community of Jews. This Passover and beyond, may we each renew our membership in the Jewish people. May we extend the reach of good in the world, through our deeds and our giving. May the good that begins here in our community reverberate throughout the Jewish world, and may it be seen and felt by those, our brethren in and who have fled Ukraine particularly, whose Pesach will not be as blessed or as peaceful as our own. From all of us at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, those on the board and staff, to each and all of you, and to Klal Yisrael, Jews everywhere, a Happy Passover, a Zissen Pesach, a chag Pesach sameach. For more information on how you can be ‘Here for Good’ in Greater Naples and around the world, through your support of the Annual Community Campaign, please contact me at kwisemayer@ jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205.

Jewish Federation Annual Meeting Celebrate the year’s accomplishments and congratulate the incoming Federation Board members and officers. 2 Yom HaShoah Commemoration Join us for the annual community-wide remembrance of the victims and Survivors of the Holocaust.

BUILT FOR LIVING BUILT FOR LIFE

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 7

www.KayeLifestyleHomes.com

239.434.KAYE

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Federation is your Jewish home

tarting down the rabbit hole of definitions, “home” refers to a place where one lives. “Live,” as one definition says, is where one makes one’s home in a particular place. In other words, it seems as though “home” and “living” both refer to a place where one feels comfortable and at ease. Home, for many of us, can be in more than one place. Some of us have moved frequently in our lives and some have not. It seems as though each of us gets to define “home” in various ways. Your Jewish Federation wants you to know that if you are here 3 months, 6 months, 9 months or all 12 months, Greater Naples is your home. And we are doing everything we can to make it a place that is welcoming, engaging and special. How does Federation make this home? We have programming for you: Jewish Book Festival, speakers from and about Israel, speakers regarding your relationship to the Catholic community, our Jewish Day of Learning and special events and speakers. We provide support to elderly Holocaust survivors; the Holocaust Museum, which teaches students and teachers in our area the lessons of Holocaust; preschoolers; BBYO students; and a huge variety of charities in Israel and overseas. We send out the monthly Federation Star publication to keep you informed of most of the Jewish happenings in our area. We sponsor PJ Library, a service for small children to receive books with Jewish themes. Your Federation cares about all of us. We are here as your Jewish home.

E C N A M O R G N I P E A SWE ing novel e bestsell for Best Original Score and Based oneth 2014 Tony Awards ads

4, 28-3 7:30 p.m. April 21-2 , May 1 24 2:00 p.m. April 23,

CULINARY RAFFLE!

Carlisle Naples, The.........................20 Naples Community Orchestra...........19

GARAGE DOORS N A P L E S

Casual Connection........................2A Naples Envelope & Printing Co....22

WWW.GARAGEDOORSOFNAPLES.COM

Chellie Doepke, Premiere Plus Realty...10 Naples Jewish Film Festival...............24 Deborah Zvibleman, John R. Wood....8A Naples Move Managers.....................4A

of dinin of Naples’ best restaurants Enter to

ELLI Q, by Intuition Products..........18 Publix...................................12A

win at Theatre.Zone

ne o .z e r t a e h t S it T is E V K TIC ON SALE 888-966-3352 x1

NOW!

TRE SIONAL EQUITY THEA

ad 13275 LivingstonG&RoL Theatre on the campus In-residence at theSchool of Naples. of the Community

TZ17_JewishFed_April22.indd 1

Fuller Funeral Home.....................2A Seascape at Naples............................17 Ginsberg Eye................................3A Senior Housing Solutions................16 Hodges Funeral Home......................24 Skin Wellness Physicians..................3 James Knafo Architect & Builder....9A TheatreZone................................2 Kaye Lifestyle Homes..........................7 Truly Nolen.....................................5 Kirsch Dermatology....................5A Up Art & Design Gallery..................21 Kotler Law Firm, P.L. ....................16 Women’s Cultural Alliance................1A

WITH GRATEFUL SUPPORT FROM OUR SPONSORS

LINDA WALSH

This publication is brought to you each month thanks to the support of our advertisers. Please be sure to use their products and services, and mention that you saw their ad in Federation Star.

Beth Tikvah....................................10A Moorings Park................................11

WIN $g16a0t 40

LIVE PROFES

THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS

Anago Cleaning Systems..................14 Men’s Cultural Alliance................15

about the ro Winner of th sweeping romance is th , ns oss tio tra es ch Best Or idges we dare to cr br e th d an en op e sw SPONSORED BY we travel, the door s breathless. ce en di will leave au

2 April 21-May 1, 2020, May 1

Jane Schiff and Jeffrey Feld Our new home, the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, is rising from the sand at 4720 Pine Ridge Road. The walls are up, and the roof will soon be on, allowing the interior work to be done during “rainy season.” With your help, we have come a long way. With your help, we will finish our campaigns, both Annual and Capital, and continue to meet the needs of our Jewish home. On April 12, we will hold our Annual Meeting via Zoom. We hope you will join us as we thank retiring board members and welcome new board members. You will notice that, in this time of building our new home, the officers of Federation is not changing. We believe this continuity is important while the construction is underway. Thank you for caring, participating and being at home with all of us. Hope to “see you” April 12 at 7 p.m.

SUSAN OWENS

Magen David Adom........................3A Wynn’s Market................................4A

– AMERIVEST REALTY

3/14/22 2:42 PM

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Federation Star

Human Needs Award winners 2022 Liz Jaffe, Chair, Human Needs Awards Committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

e continue to be amazed by the number of groups in our region working to better the lives of those less fortunate. Each year, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples grants the Human Needs Award to recognize organizations it feels are deserving of monetary awards as well as the recognition of the special jobs they are doing to make lives better for the population they serve. The two winners this year are Cultivate Abundance and the STARability Foundation. Cultivate Abundance ensures yearround access to nutritious, locally grown produce, promoting home and community gardening in Immokalee in Florida’s migrant worker neighborhoods. It also equips and mobilizes an alliance of Southwest Florida gardeners to harvest and share quality, surplus homegrown produce with their Immokalee neighbors, thereby feeding people while preventing the waste of food. This organization also works with appropriate social service agencies that serve local migrant workers. T h e S TA R a b i l i t y Fo u n d a t i o n (formerly known as STARability) works with people with disabilities, focusing on what they are able to do, rather than what limits them. The STARability Foundation now has a professional staff and more than 150 volunteers who work to give their participants a better quality of life. Enrollment has grown 100% in the past seven years and now serves close to 300 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Southwest Florida. The people helped by the STARability Foundation are provided with opportunities to live their best lives through innovative and creative programs

that focus on education, teamwork and community involvement. The selection of these organizations was made by the Human Needs Committee, under the umbrella of the Jewish Community Relations Council. The Human Needs Committee had the very difficult job of selecting only two organizations among the many worthy charitable organizations in our region. A partial sampling of past awardees includes the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Baby Basics, Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Angels Undercover, Laces of Love, Shy Wolf Sanctuary and Safe Families. There is so much more for you to learn about our two Human Needs Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at the Power of Community Celebration on March 29, 2022, where attendees will hear Cultivate Abundance and the STARability Foundation describe their achievements and future goals. We thank the Human Needs Committee — Bill Kaye, Suzanne Cherney, Betty Schwartz, Alicia Feldman, Stacy Nicolau, Joel Pittleman, Reneé Bialek (Federation staff) and Judi Palay, then chair — for its work in selecting these worthwhile recipients. In April, the Human Needs Committee will begin researching other 501(c)(3) organizations worthy of selection for the 2023 Human Needs Award. We welcome your input to identify nonprofit organizations in our community that are helping to practice tikum olam (helping to repair the world). The Human Needs Award is part of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Thank you for your help.

CONGRATULATIONS! The 2022 Human Needs Award Winners are: Cultivate Abundance and The STARability Foundation Join us at the Power of Community Celebration, March 29, 2022, to hear Cultivate Abundance and the STARability Foundation describe their achievements and future goals.

We have three convenient locations to serve you! 8625 Collier Boulevard Naples 1300 Goodlette Road N Suite 101, Naples 531 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island

Vivian Wong MD, PhD, FAAD

Daniel I. Wasserman MD, FAAD, FACMS

239.732.0044 • SkinWellnessFlorida.com

Anne Marie Tremaine MD, FAAD

OF GREATER NAPLES

Annual Meeting

TUESDAY APRIL 12 7:00 PM

Celebrate all that we have done this year!

Congratulate the incoming Federation Board Members and Officers, and express your appreciation to those board members completing their terms.

Please check our weekly Monday Eblast for more information

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

No worries as the 7th Jewish Book Federation Star Festival comes to a close Published by Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World

Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

By Gayle Dorio, 2021-22 Jewish Book Festival chair

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613 Phone: 239.263.4205 Fax: 239.263.3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers Board Chair: Jane Schiff Vice Chairs: Karen Deutsch (Chair Elect), Marc Saperstein, Beth Wolff Secretary: Rosalee Bogo Treasurer: Elliot Lerner Immediate Past Chair: Alvin Becker

Board of Directors

Frank Baum, Patti Boochever, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Amanda Dorio, Paula Filler, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Les Nizin, William Petasnick, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Nat Ritter, Michael Rubenstein, Jamie Satz, Betty Schwartz, Arlene Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss, Jeff Zalasky, Board Member Emeritus: Phyllis Seaman

Past Board Chairs

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson (z”l), Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo, Judge Norman Krivosha (z”l)

Synagogue Representatives

Cantor Donna Azu, Sue Baum, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Steve Chizzik, Rabbi Ammos Chorny, Rabbi Mendel Gordon, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, Rabbi Mark Gross, Rabbi Howard Herman, Rabbi Adam Miller, Charles Flum, Rabbi James Perman, Dr. Arthur Seigel, Daryl Sissman, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Staff

Jeffrey Feld: Federation CEO/President Reneé Bialek: Program Director Alicia Feldman: PJ Library Coordinator Marcy Friedland: Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director Janine Hudak: Admin. Coordinator Nathan Ricklefs: Database Manager Kirk Wisemayer: Annual Community Campaign Director Teresa Zimmerman: Finance & Operations Manager

Federation is the central Jewish community-building organization for Greater Naples, providing a social service network that helps Jewish people locally, in Israel and around the world. As the central fundraising organization for Jewish communal life in our area, strength is drawn from organized committees of dedicated volunteers. Programs include: • Annual Campaign & Endowment Fund • Celebrate Israel • Educational & Cultural Programs • Israel Advocacy Committee • Israel Scouts • Jewish Book Festival • Jewish Community Relations Council • Jewish Young Professionals • Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance • Men’s Cultural Alliance • PJ Library • Publication of the Federation Star, Connections and Community Directory • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Philanthropy • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and Israel Experience

t’s April! I feel like singing “Hakuna Matata” and “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.” Why, you ask? As our Book Festival comes to a close for 2021-2022, the cycle begins again. Planning for the 8th year! No sooner does one Book Festival come to a close than we start to plan for the next one. And Hakuna Matata means “no worries;” we’re continuing to make each year informative and interesting while (hopefully) bringing us together to enjoy more authors and events! It was a challenging time with COVID. We had to pivot, changing planned inperson events to Zoom — thank goodness for technology! One of our authors, Joshua Jay, was himself ill with COVID and had to cancel. We rescheduled Mark Sullivan after he informed us that he was unable to speak, having not sufficiently recovered from maxillofacial surgery. And, luckily, Jonathan Santlofer graciously expanded his presentation when Tracy Walder had a family emergency and canceled 30 minutes before she was to go on, turning a two-author event into a single author event! We hope to reschedule both Joshua Jay and Tracy Walder and will let everyone know when we are able to do so.

Gayle Dorio To the sponsors — some new sponsors and many long-time sponsors, some who sponsored several events — thank you for being so generous and so important! We couldn’t do this without you! To the patrons – all three levels, Platinum, Silver and Bronze — thank you for showing your support. Your enthusiasm, spreading the word, feedback and financial support make the Book Festival possible! To Federation representatives, Jeffrey Feld and Jane Schiff — thank you for your gracious welcomes and information provided at each event. Without Federation support, there is no Book Festival! You are so appreciated. To the Jewish Book Council in New York — thank you for introducing us to the 250+ authors and facilitating their selections.

To Jake Tavill of Indigo Soul Entertainment — thank you for providing technical support during the Zoom events. Without your help, the authors would not have been lighted properly nor heard as well. You always made sure everyone was on camera, and that slides, photos, videos and music happened when they were supposed to. To Sharon Hood and her team at MarketCrank, Inc. — thank you for designing Book Festival ads and for giving the Book Festival prominent placement in Federation Star. Thanks for your help designing the bookmarks and handouts, too. Thanks for allowing the articles I write to be published in entirety, even though I forget how many words I’m supposed to have. To Federation staff — thank you for your work behind the scenes. And, of course, to Reneé Bialek, who works

To the authors — Yes, how fortunate we are to have such articulate, interesting authors! Such important books, some subjects we had not heard of before, fiction, nonfiction, a thriller, cannabis, technology, humor, and several optioned for movies, award winners and translated into many languages! We were fortunate to have an interesting variety and each author’s intellect and sparkling personality came through as they seemed to be right in your living room, thanks to the benefit of Zoom! To Larry Israelite — thank you for creating the Reg Fox forms, allowing everyone to easily register and select patron levels and events. You possess talent, expertise, calm dedication and the pursuit of excellence. We are so lucky to have you. Thanks for putting up with the changes and questions and for making everything work!

behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, night and day, Sundays, early mornings and late nights, answering texts and phone calls, responding to Zoom link requests, handling all interactions with authors, etc. You do so much, it’s mind boggling. You need to be bronzed! Wait, no, we need you! I’m sure everyone recognizes that the Book Festival would not be the same without you. Thank you! Without the support of everyone in the community, we would not be able to bring our community together to enjoy these authors and these events. It is with your generosity, your enthusiasm, that this is possible. Thank you for giving me the opportunity, along with all these amazing people and organizations, to bring you this 7th Jewish Book Festival presented by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. It’s a privilege and an honor!

Thank you to all

The Book Festival is an extensive undertaking each year, requiring time and talent from a variety of people, whom I would like to officially thank: To t h e J B F c o m m i t tee — thank you for reading books, writing reviews, and doing all the things I listed in last month’s article. You are all greatly appreciated! To the author review team — Jan Goldman, Carol Hirsch, Reneé Bialek and me — thank you for intensive days and nights, listening to over 250 authors, evaluating and working to make the best selections based on both JBF Committee reviews and author presentations. To Carole Greene, our book review specialist — thank you for writing monthly reviews published in Federation Star. Your insight, dedication and talent greatly promoted these authors and books. To Iris Shur — thank you for masterfully executing the Preview Event and thank you to the committee members who participated. (The Preview Event is on the website if you want to see Iris, et al., in action.) To the articulate moderators — thank you for introducing the authors, handling the questions and, many times, being “in conversation with” the authors. (We ask each author if they have a formal presentation that they want to give or prefer answering questions in a conversational format. The majority this year chose the latter.) To the committee members (too many to list) — thank you for asking businesses and organizations to be sponsors!

April 2022

Federation Star

Mosquitoes Have Always Chartered A Course Of Destruction by Joe Jayne, Truly Nolen With spring’s arrival, which brings April showers in addition to the Sunshine State’s normal afternoon rain, mosquitoes will typically not be far behind in Naples and surrounding areas. Easily one of the most annoying pests there is, mosquitoes are the most significant and dangerous vector of disease in history and responsible for more human deaths than any other animal. In recent years, the insect’s profile has significantly increased due to Encephalitis outbreaks, the Zika virus, and West Nile Virus. The name mosquito comes from a Spanish word meaning "little fly." Many people believe that the reason mosquitoes bite humans are because they need to feed on human blood, but this is not true. Mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, similarly to bees. Female mosquitoes suck blood to help with the development of their eggs prior to laying them. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood at all. Mosquitoes live in a variety of habitats, but they are mainly concentrated near sources of standing water to reproduce because mosquito eggs need water to hatch. Some species lay their eggs in standing water,

while other simply lay their eggs in moist soil and then hatch once the soil is flooded with water. These "floodwater" species lay eggs in the fall that can survive through the winter and then hatch once spring showers flood their habits. One female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at a time, which can allow for an infestation to quickly get out of hand. Generally, if you are bitten by a mosquito, a mosquito bite will simply appear as a small itchy bump, but some people can have more intense reactions to the bites if they are allergic. Although a mosquito bite itself is harmless, the diseases they can potentially carry is where your concern should lie. Because of the risk, it is always smart to use insect repellent when outside and long sleeves and long pants at dawn and dusk to prevent mosquito bites. If at any time you feel that the bite is serious, seek medical help as soon as possible. Mosquito control can be complicated because the bug can adapt to different and changing conditions. Some do-it-yourself things homeowners can do to help control

mosquitoes in and around their home include: • Removing any sources for standing water, including bird baths, rain barrels, and recycling containers. • Cutting back vegetation around your home to eliminate breeding and hiding grounds. • Getting rid of old yard items that may be attracting mosquitoes such as old pots and spare tires. If the infestation seems to be out of control, seek the help of your local pest control professional to deal with the problem effectively. (Joe Jayne is the Manager for Truly Nolen in Naples. His service office can be reached at (239) 643-2555. Founded in 1938, Tucson-based Truly Nolen of America (www.trulynolen.com) is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States. To learn about our general pest control capabilities, please visit https://trulynolen.com/pest-control/mosquitoes/)

Keeping Mosquitoes away since 1938

Call Now!

Receive a FREE inspection and these great offers. *Applicable to new annual service agreement.

239 494 3544 239•494•3544

PEST•TERMITE•RODENT•LAWN•INSULATION TERMITE•RODENT•LAWN•INSULATION

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Congratulations!

Happy Passover!

Israel Advocacy news Reneé Bialek

By Jeff Margolis, Israel Advocacy Committee Member

he Israel Advocacy Committee of Greater Naples congratulated the American Jewish Committee (AJC) on the selection of Congressman David Deutch of Fort Lauderdale as the new CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Current distinguished CEO, David Harris, who has been at the helm of the organization for 30 years, will be retiring. Deutch will assume the position on Oct. 1. Congressman Deutch has served as the chair of the House Ethics Committee and as a member of the foreign affairs and judiciary committees. The mission of the American Jewish Committee is to “enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.” AJC’s headquarters is in New

York City and its government affairs office is in Washington, D.C. The organization also maintains offices in Europe, Israel and Asia. The Israel Advocacy Committee of Greater Naples, an affiliation of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, is in the process of planning activities and events for next season. The organization strives to provide information and education about the government and people of Israel and its role on the world stage. Next year, in 2023, Israel will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Stay tuned for information about a community-wide Israel Festival Celebration. For more information about the Israel Advocacy Committee or to offer suggestions for future programming, please contact Harvey Cohen, IAC chair, at hwcohen@gmail.com.

For a continuously updated community calendar, visit

www.jewishnaples.org

What will this year’s Passover Seder table look like? ...in Ukraine ...for a lonely Holocaust survivor in Venezuela ...in the home of a child living in poverty in Israel ...for the widowed mother in New York ...and for those who need our help, right here in Naples

Make every day better

BE HERE FOR GOOD CONTRIBUTE TO CAMPAIGN 2022 Jewish Federation

OF GREATER NAPLES

donate online at https://jewishnaples.org call (239) 263-4205, or mail your check to 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109

Program Director

et’s begin the month of April with (drumroll) … Rabbi Skorka! Rabbi Skorka, the Pope’s rabbi, will be in Naples Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County proudly presents Rabbi Abraham Skorka, who will describe his 25-year “deep and sincere friendship” with Jorge Bergolio, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who is now Pope Francis. Please purchase your tickets in advance ($18) or at the door on Sunday, April 3 ($25), if seats are still available. The Annual Community-Wide Commemoration of Yom HaShoah will take place at Temple Shalom and be livestreamed on Sunday, April 10 at 10 a.m. (ET). You are all invited! Please join us on Zoom for Federation’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. This event is free. More information on all of these events can be found in this issue of the Federation Star and on our website homepage, www.jewishnaples.org. Calling all Jewish Young Professionals (JYP)! This group will start having

in-person events. Please make sure to get on the JYP roster by sending me your email. This group is for Jewish Yo u n g Pro f e s s i o n a l s a g e s 2 0 t o 30 years old. PJ Library and Jewish Families with Young Children are invited to the park for activities and fun on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. Please make a reservation with Alicia at programs@ jewishnaples.org. If you have an idea for a program, or want to be a guest speaker or facilitator, please contact me at rbialek@ jewishnaples.org. Please read our weekly (Monday) e-blast for any changes to these programs and, of course, to the additional programs being offered to the community. Please register at www.jewishnaples. org or via our weekly e-blast for each of these programs. The Zoom link will be emailed two hours prior to the start of each program. We have a variety of groups and committees at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, such as PJ Library, Jewish Families with Young Children, Cardozo Legal Society, CatholicJewish Dialogue, Israel Advocacy Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council. Please join the group and/or committee that best fits you. A taste of each one can be found throughout our website, www.jewishnaples.org.

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Federation Star

Why Rabbi Skorka’s visit to Naples and his 25-year friendship with Pope Francis resonate with historic significance By Richard Price

apal Bulls are official statements by the head of the Roman Catholic Church, sometimes applied to imperial documents. Bulls bearing the seal of the reigning Pope’s dealing with Jewish matters were numerous. A Bull, issued by Calixtus II around 1120, was a general Bull of Protection for the Jews, who had suffered in the First Crusade and were maltreated by Christian neighbors. It forbade killing them, using force to convert them and otherwise molesting them. Innocent IV, in 1247, urged an end to murder and persecution for the baseless blood libel. Sixtus V, in 1586, relieved the Jews of many oppressive social and economic restrictions that had been imposed upon them by Paul IV and Pius V. These examples and others have one redeeming attribute — they were humanitarian in intent. Murder, maltreatment, forced conversion and other forms of molestation were forbidden. Nevertheless, these all too few constructive papal and ecclesiastical pronouncements, overturned and overshadowed by a plethora of blatantly antisemitic and abhorrent decrees, failed in four fundamental respects. First, they ignored the peoplehood of the Jewish community as legitimate, with common concerns and aspirations mirroring other communities of that time.

Second, they failed to recognize and/or respect the ethical and moral values of the Jewish community, cherished by the Jewish people as well as developed through a Jewish commitment to scholarship. Third, they did not respect nor appreciate the divine nature of Judaic teachings to the Jewish people and Judaic philosophy as an inspiration and contribution to the establishment and moral underpinning of Christianity. Finally, they never internalized the intensity of Jewish faith and collective opposition to conversion. By these measures, Christians shared common antisemitic prejudices, with a wide historical trail of catastrophic results. On June 5, 1960, Pope John XXIII created the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity. At that meeting, the secretariat’s members and consultors were surprised to receive a second mandate, an interreligious one dealing with Catholic-Jewish relations. Pope John had a conversation with Jules Isaac Amitié, an 81-year-old French Jew who was leader of a Paris-based study group of about 60 Jews and Christians. Amitié had proposed a program of action that could radically change Christian-Jewish relations by first correcting those “theologically inexact concepts and presentations of the Gospel of Love” that place Jews in spiritual and physical ghettos. Amitié had prepared a

memorandum that sketched the history of Catholic teachings, legislation and actions toward the Jews. Ultimately, Pope John XXIII mandated that the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity should also facilitate reflection on “the Jewish question” during its preparation for council. A few knowledgeable Jesuit colleagues suggested consulting the so-called “Jewish pope,” Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress and co-chairman of the World Conference of Jewish Organizations. Goldmann produced a memorandum that stressed Catholic-Jewish “cooperation in opposing all forms of racial prejudice and religious intolerance.” The result of all this was the promulgation of Nostra Aetate’s six-year journey. The final vote by the Bishops on October 28, 1965, the day of solemn proclamation, saw only 88 of 2,312 Bishops registering dissent. Nostra Aetate helped open the church to living dialogues with other communities

of faith. This dialogue begins with “what human beings have in common and what promotes fellowship” in a shared history. For us, the Jewish community of Naples, Rabbi Skorka’s presence and a 25-year history with Pope Francis is living proof of “what promotes fellowship in a shared history.” The nature of the dialogue between Rabbi Skorka and Pope Francis is truly historic by its depth, intensity and durability. To quote Rabbi Skorka, “Nostra Aetate enabled Jorge Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and I to become brothers. We were given the opportunity, and the duty, to advance the journey that Nostra Aetate began by being living examples of its possibilities for the members of our respective communities and for the world. Perhaps it was all meant to be.” To quote Pope Francis, “So I thank [the Holy Spirit] for allowing this to happen for being with us on this journey, brother and friend, these are my feelings for him.”

IF YOU GO

Where: Ballroom of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 625 111th Ave. N., Naples When: April 3, 2022, at 3 p.m. All are invited. For tickets, log into jewishnaples.org.

This program is brought to you by the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Hard hat tours of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

veryone with a naming opportunity will be contacted to attend a hard hat tour beginning this month. The tours, which will be held during the day, will accommodate 10 donors at a time and last about an hour. If you would like to attend, but have not

purchased a naming opportunity, they start at $5,000 and can be pledged over a five-year period. We also have engraved pavers for sale, which will be placed in the Plaza area located on the left side of the entrance doors. They are priced at $360, $720 and

$1800. What a wonderful way to honor or memorialize a loved one. Everyone contributing $360 or more to the capital campaign will have their name inscribed on the Donor Wall located in the loggia area as you enter the building.

There are several ways available to you to help us reach our goal of $15 million. For more information, contact me at mfriedland@jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205. We can’t do this with you!

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Brick Paver donors By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

odah Rabah to the following donors who have purchased one or more brick pavers to grace the plaza area to the left of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center entrance.

Interested in adding your name to the list in one of our upcoming issues? Contact me at mfriedland@jewishnaples. org or 239-263-4205.

BRICK PAVER ORDER FORM Donor Information Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State ________ Zip Code _____________ Email ____________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________________

Federation Star

Brick Paver donors as of Feb. 28, 2022: Marlene & Nate Apkon Ida & Jeff Margolis Tracy & Michael Askotzky Carol & Stuart Mest Carole Berkowitz Gisela & Richard Miller Harriet & Louis Berneman Modern Playwrights Patti & Pete Bloom Laurie & Barry Nagler Sandy & Alan Burton Gail & Les Nizin Janet & Saul Cooperman Harvey Oriel Barbara Shagan Dave Susan & Joel Pittelman Gayle & Marty Dorio Judit & Richard Price Linda & Larry Dukatz Estelle Rauch Shelley & Steve Einhorn June Streisand & John Reiches Alicia & Michael Feldman Dale & Steven Riemer In Memory of David Fisher (z”l)* Susan & Nathaniel Ritter Jerry Flagel Betty & Jim Rubenstein Jennifer & Marc Fleischer Jacqueline Sallade Jane & Lester Friedberg Katie & Michael Sarnoff Barbara & Gene Goldenziel Linda & Shepard Scheinberg Janice Goldman Jane Schiff Joel Goldman Shelley & Mark Schloss Helene & Alan Gordon Gay & David Silberg Carole Greene Sisterhood of Temple Shalom Sherry & Howard Greenfield Stacy Sokol Lenore Greenstein Merrill & Andrew Solan Bobbi & Randy Heiligman Leslie & Mel Springman In Honor of Lisa & Dale Katz* Sandi Stern In Memory of Mary Kauffman (z”l)* Shira & Bryan Swartz In Honor of Debbie Kohler* Goldie & Kenneth Wetcher Elaine & Richard Landau Karen Wilner Helaine & Marvin Lender Lauri & Steven Wishner Anna & Yale Levin Suzann & Steve Yussen Arlene Levin * Group gift Dorothy Magen

Donation Amount (S) ________________________________________________ Indicate how you want your engrave brick to read, using the grid below for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. 12” x 12” Engraved Brick – room for 8 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($1,800)

8” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 6 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($720)

4” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($360)

Jewish Federation Make your check payable to JFGN and send it, with this completed form, to: JFGN, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste 2201, Naples, FL 34109.

OF GREATER NAPLES

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Dayenu!

The Long-Hidden Afikomen

By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

he classic seder song, We don’t realize how lucky “Dayenu,” is not we are until we speak our blessmerely a reflection ings in detail. Dayenu is not on Passover, but a model for merely a reflection on Passover, true thanks. but a template for true thanks Dayenu means “it would and contentment with what have been enough.” And we have. not in a kvetchy or sarcasWhat does it mean to have tic way! Dayenu is a sincere enough? When are we content? Alicia Feldman When do you say dayenu in expression of gratitude of the Jewish people. a grateful way in your life? How do we It’s rare to hear people say, when comteach our children to have gratitude, to menting on a blessing in their lives, “It’s be content? enough.” Who doesn’t want an abundance In the spirit of expressing gratitude, of happiness? I want to say how truly grateful I am However, immediately after we tell for my beautiful friends and cherished of the exodus from Egypt in the Haggadah, we break into a 15-stanza song proclaiming how it would have been enough just to be brought out from slavery in Egypt, to get the Torah, family, the Jewish community in the to be gifted Shabbat, etc... Greater Naples area, my coworkers at We all sing jubilantly and in unison, JFGN and, of course, our PJ Library dayenu – It is enough. families. We are a growing, caring and Why? What is the song “Dayenu” supportive community. I am honored and really saying? Some modern interpretagrateful to be a part of it. Dayenu! tion suggests the song beautifully captures I hope to see everyone at our Passover what all deep gratitude should look like: Park Playdate on Sunday, April 10, 3 Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. p.m. at the “Can You Dig It” playground, It turns what we have into enough, where we can enjoy each other’s company and more. and celebrate the holiday together.

Way back in ________ __________________ hid the afikomen so well that no one (YEAR) (NAME) has ever found it. Technically, that year, the family’s seder never ended. Over the years, all of the cousins have looked for it, but no one has come close to recovering it. Bubbe _________________ even hired a ___________________ investigator to look into (ADJECTIVE) (WOMAN’s NAME) things, but there was no sign of that _________________ matzah. (ADJECTIVE) Uncle _________________ swears he saw it once, for a moment, near the (MAN’s NAME) ______________________ in the ______________________, but when Auntie (PIECE OF FURNITURE) (ROOM IN A HOUSE) _________________ investigated, all she found was a pile of _________________. (WOMAN’s NAME) (PLURAL NOUN) Last year, cousin _____________ mentioned seeing it in an old _____________ (NAME) (NOUN)

UPCOMING EVENTS! January

Shabbat

behind the ___________________. (SPOT IN A ROOM) To this day, no one knows. That afikomen will probably not be found until there's

a ____________ on the ______________________. (NOUN) (OBJECT IN SPACE)

Putting the fun in educating Jewish children By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

March

special thank you to the incomparable Jane Galler for her dedication to making educating Jewish children fun! PJ Library and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is grateful to have you as a community partner.

Purim

Real Estate is quite well in Naples! Contact me to list your home TODAY! Chellie Doepke

Premiere Plus Realty Co.

May

239-877-1722

seachell2@hotmail.com • www.sells-naples.com www.facebook.com/chelliedoepkerealtor

m i y a l a h s u r e Yom Y Making Real Estate Dreams REALITY

February

April

June

To learn more about PJ Library and sign up for free Jewish storybooks, visit pjlibrary.org.

v o T a l i a L

Pesach Shavuot

April 2022

COMPLIMENTARY INFORMATION KIT

You did it your way.

Federation Star

Call us at 239-842-2558 Visit MooringsPark.org/GLInfo | Scan the QR code

If go for it is your mantra—if carefree is your goal—if first class is your style and your social life is a priority—welcome home. One community offers every opportunity, option, luxury and indulgence imaginable, from your personal training session and massage in the morning to the magnificent Burgundy you’ll enjoy with dinner later that evening. And of course, where concierge physicians and personalized healthcare are included. Request your complimentary Information Kit by calling 239-842-2558, visiting MooringsPark.org/GLInfo or scan the QR code.

Entrance fees from $1.6 million and 70% refundable 7410 Little Lane, Naples | 239-842-2558 | MooringsPark.org/GLInfo

P040122

#88033

Moorings Park Communities is a nationally accredited, non-profit, Medicare-certified organization and one of the only Life Plan providers with A or A+ ratings by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings.

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

Meet the Karnilow family PJ family spotlight By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

received her Bat Mitzvah : What are the names date, which we are all of the family memvery excited about. bers? Q: What is your A: Jon, Amy, Sophia (10) f a m i l y’s f a v o r i t e P J and Ethan (8) Library book? Q: What’s it like on the A: Their favorite day PJ Library books arrive? PJ Library book (and A: The kids are always mine) is “Meshka the super excited when we bring Kvetch.” It tells the story in the mail and they see Written by Carol something new from PJ Chapman, Illustrated by of Meshka, the village complainer who literally Library! It’s guaranteed that Arnold Lobel complains about everywe will be reading their new PJ Library books before bed that night. thing in her life, including her children! One day all her complaints come true, Q: What do you like about PJ and she finally realizes to be grateful for Library books? what she already has instead of comA: As parents, we love that PJ Library plaining. I think this is a reminder we all books reference not only Jewish holineed from time to time. days, traditions and customs, but they If you, or someone you know, is interested also teach important life lessons to in becoming a PJ Library Spotlight Family our children. please let us know! Email Alicia Feldman@ Q: Do you belong to a synagogue? A: We belong to Temple Shalom and programs@jewishnaples.org. Follow us on Facebook love it. The kids love going to YeSH (Sun@PJLibraryNaplesFL. day school) each week. And Sophia just

Amy and Jon Karnilow with their children, Ethan and Sophia

Free hearing services offered to adults and seniors in need By Adriana Villalobos, MA, CCC-A, Hears4You Board President

ears4you was started in January 2021 by the Board of Directors and me, its president and a bilingual audiologist with 30 years of experience in the field, because we realized the need for lower-priced hearing aid services in Collier County. The mission of Hears4you is to provide free, donated hearing aids to people in need. One in every three persons over the age of 65 has some hearing loss. Hearing aids cost $1,000 to $3,000 each and are not covered by

Medicare and many insurance plans. Unfortunately, this means that many people in need of hearing help are not getting it because of the high price of hearing aids. Hears4you has begun receiving donated hearing aids from Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and is now offering free hearing clinics at Neighborhood Health Clinic and the Golden Gate Senior Center. Since October of 2021, it has provided dozens of free hearing tests and free donated hearing aids.

The organization takes used, donated hearing aids, preferably less than 5 years old, and donates time to recycling them. Recipients of the free, donated devices complete applications and document their low-income status and lack of health insurance. With a goal to fit at least 10 free, donated hearing aids last year, Hears4you fit 8 in 2021. As of March this year, it has already fit 10 free, donated hearing aids! It hopes to expand the program to provide new hearing aids through a

manufacturing company but is in need of funding to do so. Hears4you also has been offering free cleaning and checking of hearing aids at local retirement centers. For more information about donating hearing aids or receiving free, donated hearing aids, please contact us Hears4you at 6017 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 363, Naples, FL 34119; 305-699-3246; www.hears4you.org.

Please join us for the annual Community Remembrance of the victims and Survivors of the Holocaust Annual Community-Wide Commemoration of Yom HaShoah Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 10 a.m. (ET) Via Temple Shalom Livestream PROGRAM SPONSORS ARE TEMPLE SHALOM, GENSHOAH OF SWFL, JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES, AND THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & COHEN EDUCATION CENTER

April 2022

Federation Star

Why RABBI SKORKA’s Visit to Naples and his 25-year Friendship with Pope Francis Resonate with Historic Significance Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 3:00 p.m. St. John the Evangelist Ballroom 625 111th Ave. N., Naples

To purchase tickets please visit: www.jewishnaples.org �18 per person with pre-registration. �25 at the door (if space is available.) This program is brought to you by the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

OF GREATER NAPLES

The Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County is honored to present Rabbi Abraham Skorka who will describe his ongoing Catholic-Jewish dialogue with Pope Francis beginning while Bishop of Buenos Aires and continuing to this day. Both sought to build bridges between themselves and Catholicism, Judaism and the world at large. At the time Rabbi Skorka was the leading Rabbi in Argentina as Rector of the Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires. Of particular importance is this enduring 25-year ongoing fraternal dialogue between Rabbi and Pope. Their common humanity, sincerity and empathy resulted in building a deep friendship. Their efforts together also led to many initiatives designed to inspire human beings everywhere to seek interreligious brotherhood and understanding. The nature of this interchange between Rabbi Skorka and Pope Francis is truly historic by its depth, intensity and durability over a 25-year period.

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

April 2022

WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

www.wcanaples.org / 518.852.3440

Rabbi Susan Nanus inspires us to “Find Yourself a Friend” at WCA’s Community of Friendship event By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

omething magical happened on Zoom on a February afternoon. Although COVID forced us to cancel our in-person Community of Friendship luncheon on Feb. 21, the WCA Board of Directors was unwilling to disappoint members and forego this special event with our inspiring speaker. Instead, Special Events Coordinator Linda Simon along with Marsha Moranz, Toby Kosloff, Harriett Kleinman, Robin Mintz, Ann Cowen and Carol Sherman, planned a magical Community of Friendship virtual program featuring Rabbi Susan Nanus. While most of us watched the program from our own homes, some women gathered with a few of their closest friends to listen to Rabbi Nanus’ message together. (I wish I had thought to do that!) Even though the program was virtual, I could “feel” the excitement as WCA President Patti Boochever welcomed more than 200 of us and thanked us for our support and friendship during these past few difficult years. Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld and Board Chair Jane Schiff offered greetings and expressed their gratitude to WCA for helping the women in our community feel comfortable and form friendships. Dina Shein then introduced her

friend of 50 years, Rabbi Susan Nanus. A graduate of the Yale Drama School, Rabbi Nanus was a playwright and writer for more than 30 years. Having become a rabbi at age 60, Rabbi Nanus is the Director of Adult Programs at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles. Rabbi Nanus had captivated us at the 2018 WCA Welcome Back Luncheon with inspiring stories about the strengths and contributions of our matriarchs. Her topic for this year’s event was extremely relevant given the challenge of the last two years: “Find Yourself a Friend — The 2,000-Year-Old Prescription for a Long Life.” Rabbi Nanus explained that, since the days of the Talmud, Jewish sages have emphasized the value, power and importance of friendship as a necessity for a meaningful and happy life. “Friendship is more than a social connection,” taught Rabbi Nanus. “Friends offer help, loyalty, affection, support, unselfish love and loyal guidance. It can exceed the bonds of blood relatives.” Rabbi Nanus pointed out that Judaism considers friendship to be so important that, in the first chapter of “Pirkei Avot,” a compilation of ethical teachings in the

WE CLEAN THEM ALL®

With over 30 years in the commercial cleaning franchising industry, Anago has helped pioneer this sector by developing standards and practices that others replicate. Our franchisees provide Scheduled Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, Ceramic, Tile and Grout Cleaning, Day Porters, Emergency Cleanup, Exposed Surfaces Disinfection, Hard Surface Floor Care, Restrooms, Special Event Cleanup, Spring Cleaning, Window Washing and much more.

239-206-2520 anagoswfl.com

WHY ANAGO IS THE SUPERIOR CHOICE FOR COMMERCIAL CLEANING!®

• Ranked #1 in Janitorial • Two-Hour Response Guarantee • Total Satisfaction Guarantee • Fully Insured and Bonded

Rabbi Susan Nanus Talmud, we read, “Acquire for yourself a friend.” She emphasized that you don’t need a lot of friends, as a true friend is a rare and precious commodity — you just need one. The Talmud goes on to state that you acquire a friend “By eating and drinking with him, studying and debating with him, lodging with him, by sharing private thoughts regarding life.” (Of course, she changed the pronouns!) Rabbi Nanus explained that it is this intimacy that creates a strong friendship. She then challenged us to think about our closest friend. What it is that connects you so tightly? What have you done together? What do you talk about? What have you learned from each other? What do you agree about? What do you disagree about (because friends can disagree)? Do you laugh together, cry together, share your deepest fears and anxieties — and not have it matter how you look or how much you weigh? Rabbi Nanus told us that she hopes we each have a friend like this — “Someone who knows who you are, who appreciates you and really loves you.” More than 3,000 years ago, in the book of Ecclesiastes, it was written that having a close friend or a group of good friends is important to your well-being. Rabbi Nanus magically interwove Jewish teachings with medical research, noting that researchers today have discovered that friendships have many specific

health benefits, including improving the immune system. On the other hand, researchers have also discovered that loneliness not only harms our hearts and minds, but our bodies as well. Rabbi Nanus’ message was heartfelt, enlightening and motivating. Our time with her seemed to fly by as she kept us captivated with her wisdom. WCA Board Member Barbara Suden commented, “I felt as if Rabbi Nanus was speaking to me personally. In two years, I have not cried over the effects of COVID. Today I cried because of the loneliness we have all gone through, and in appreciation of the close friendships we have.” Longtime WCA member Sherry Zailer said, “Rabbi Nanus’ comment that one of people’s greatest regrets is not having maintained friendships, prompted me to call some long-time friends I had lost contact with. And I am so glad that I did!” WCA is proud to be a community of friendship. As we emerge from the social isolation of the pandemic, now is a perfect time for us to practice the lessons that Rabbi Nanus shared with us about maintaining friendships. As she said, “Finding a true friend is like finding another soul.” If you missed Rabbi Nanus’ presentation, WCA members can listen to the recording by going to the Library of Zoom recordings at WCAnaples.org

• Available 24/7 • Competitive Pricing • Consistent & Dependable • Green Cleaning Experts

WITH ANAGO YOU GET:

• A partner with a 98% retention rate • Calendaring system ensures all tasks are completed as scheduled • Inspection/survey process ensures compliance to your specs • Microfiber tools to remove more dirt • EPA registered disinfectants for virus and bacteria removal • Dedicated client services rep to assist with your needs

SERVING COLLIER, LEE, CHARLOTTE, SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES

WCA: A Community of Friendship If you are not already a member of WCA,

Join TODAY

and enjoy the friendships you will make and the wonderful programs WCA has planned. YOUR CLEANING NINJAS

Our efficient and stealthy cleaning franchisees get the job done without any disruption to the flow of your business.

A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE

Our franchise owners use systematic methods to create a visible difference in the cleanliness of your workspace.

BEST SERVICE AND PRICE

One of our primary goals is to provide clients with the absolute best service in the industry, at a competitive price.

CONSISTENT RESULTS

By paying attention to the details, clients get an exceptional and consistent clean every time.

VISIT WCAnaples.org and click on MEMBERSHIP. Dues paid after March 1 are good through August 2023.

QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Director Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com

JEWISH FEDERATION

Federation Star

April 2022

MEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

www.MCANaples.org / 516.356.2897

Let’s do lunch — MCA style

MCA – Looking Forward

By Jeff Margolis

he final MCA luncheon for the season will take place in person on April 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. There is a new venue for April — DeRomo’s Restaurant at the Promenade, 26851 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs. The luncheon will be held on the secondfloor banquet room (elevator accessible.) The menu choices are chicken or salmon, and the cost of the luncheon is $32. The luncheon’s featured speakers will be MCA member Phi Garon and Jim Hale. The topic of their presentation will be “The Life Cycle of the American Department Store: Birth Marriage and Life Support and the Nine Lives of the Dayton Hudson/Target Corporation.” Reservations are required and can be made through the Wild Apricot portal of the MCA website. Please note that election of six officers will also take place at this luncheon meeting.

Monthly meetings

Please note that many of the meetings are now in person and may be the concluding program for the season. Please check with program leaders for details. The final documentary film presentation for the season will be the screening of “Plan A.” Please check the MCA e-blast for specific dates and times for the showing of the film and the discussion. The Medical Discussion group continues its programming on Thursday, April 7 with a presentation on heart health. Program chair is Mel Kaplan, M.D. The Men’s Financial Health group will hold its next meeting on Friday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. The program is moderated by Michael Feldman, and the speaker will be Naples attorney Casey Wolf, who will discuss the ins and outs of Florida Domicile. This meeting is scheduled to be presented in person in the community room at Federation as well as via conference call. The Israel Discussion Group will meet via Zoom on Monday, April 11

at 10 a.m. Contact discussion leader Harvey Cohen (hwcohen@gmail.com) for details. World traveler and MCA member Jim Sernovitz will take viewers on a journey to “Jordan – A Biblical Land in a Modern World.” This Zoom excursion will take place on Tuesday, April 12 at 2:30 p.m. If you have already registered for previous travelogues, there is no need to register again. The Lifestyle-Health Discussion Group will meet on Wednesday, April 13 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The program topic for the month is “How to Reduce Stress.” The program chair is MCA member Jerry Kumin, M.D. There will be a tour of the wonderful glass collection of MCA member Larry Sibrak on April 13. Check our weekly (Thursday) e-blast for further details as well as how to register. The MCA book discussion group will hold it’s monthly get-together via Zoom on Thursday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. The book for this month is “Bear’s Promise” by MCA member Doug Zipes. This thriller focuses on the legal and medical twists and turns on the use of tasers by law enforcement. The MCA monthly speaker series continues Tuesday, April 19 at 10 a.m. with a program titled, “The Art and Politics of Arthur Szyk.” Szyk was a Jewish Polish American political cartoonist. The speaker for this program will be MCA member Neil Adelman. Please check the weekly e-blast to see if this program is being presented in person at Federation or via Zoom. The MCA board of directors wishes all its members a sweet and happy Passover. For those members who are leaving us for the season, we wish you safe travels and look forward to your return in the fall with a full slate of in-person events and activities.

There are 3 Ways to Join the MCA!

April 1 - Tour of WGCU at FCGU April 5- Israel Report - 6 Month Update April 6 - Baseball Heroes at Artis Naples April 6 – Luxury Car Tour April 7 - MCA Luncheon and Meeting April 12 - Mechanical Musical Instrument Tour April 12 - MCA Travelogue Series April 12 - Tour of the Edison Ford Estate April 13 - Tour of Naples Airport April 13 - Tour of the Art/Glass Collection April 19 - Art and Politics of Arthur Szyk

MCA – Looking Back The MCA Sweethearts Dance

Shy Wolf Sanctuary

Kayaking

Backstage at the Botanical Gardens

1. Visit the website at www.MCAnaples.org. Click on

1. Visit the website at www.MCAnaples.org. Click on the MCA membership the MCA membership form and complete it. You form and complete it. You can pay by credit card or check. can pay by credit card or check.

2. Send an email with your name, email address and phone number to 2. Send an email with your name, email address and joinMCA@MCAnaples.org. phone number to joinMCA@MCAnaples.org.

3. Mail your name, email address and phone number to Larry Israelite, 8820 Savona Court, Naples, FL 3. 34119. Mail your name, email address and phone number to Larry Israelite, 8820 Savona Court, Naples, FL 34119.

Dues for the current year are $90 and include membership in Jewish Dues for current year are $90 and include membership Federation of Greater Naples. in the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Questions? Go to: www.mcanaples.org

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

April 2022

www.naplesseniorcenter.org / 239.325.4444

NAPLES SENIOR CENTER

Senior programs continue Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO

had to double-check to make sure the month was correct. April? Already? Spring? Passover? Time certainly flies…

Passover and Easter

This year, Naples Senior Center will deliver 21 “Seder-in-a-Box” packages to our seniors who celebrate Passover and 19 “Easter-in-a-Basket” packages to those who celebrate Easter. We are grateful to our community supporters who

helped us make this annual holiday project happen! With the cost of food (and everything else) skyrocketing, purchasing the products for Passover and Easter, while experiencing food insecurity, is extremely challenging.

Food pantry

And speaking of food, we recently welcomed Lisa Jordan to our team as food pantry coordinator. Lisa has a background in food service and has come up with some very interesting enhancements for our program. For example, most recently, she included a recipe with the food delivery, creatively using the products delivered to make a healthy soup. Looking ahead, I know we will see more enhancements from her.

Building progress

The new Naples Senior Center building is progressing nicely and, at this point, is a bit ahead of schedule. Sidewalks are in, first floor walls are up, and it won’t be long now before we are looking at the shell of our two-story, 30,000-square-foot building. Remember, if anyone wants a hard hat tour, just let me know. It is a pleasure to show off all that is happening on the site!

Programs

Our programs and services here on Castello Drive are keeping our seniors engaged through programs like Drum Circle, Tai Chi, travelogues and a recent trip by our “Guy Time” members to the REVS Institute. A trip to The Baker

Museum to see the baseball exhibit will happen soon. Dementia respite is currently offered five days a week here in Naples and one day a week on Marco Island. We are planning to open another group here in Naples in the very near future. Our caregiver support group meets weekly and certainly serves a need. Unfortunately, three of our Holocaust survivors recently passed away, and the others are becoming frailer, with increasing needs. We are grateful to Federation for funding our Holocaust survivor program, enabling our geriatric case managers to respond with services and care at this stage in their lives. Best wishes to all for a sweet and safe Passover.

www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

TEMPLE SHALOM

Temple Shalom events open to the community By Jeanette Fischer, Temple Shalom Director of Communications

emple Shalom invites you to the following events that are open to the community at large.

Torah Talk

Join this lay-led discussion via Zoom of the week’s Torah portion every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. Please contact the Temple Shalom office at info@naples temple.org for the Zoom link.

Jewish Yoga

Join yoga teacher, Missy Balsam, via Zoom, as she guides you through an alllevels gentle yoga stretch session, interwoven with Jewish spiritual teachings, designed to relieve stress and calm the mind. This class will be practiced lying down and seated on the floor. Mondays at 11 a.m., no experience necessary. The

cost is $54 for an 8-week session. Call the Temple Shalom office to register and receive the Zoom information.

Shabbat ShaPlay

Join Rabbi Boxman and Miss Jane on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. as we sing, dance, play and celebrate Shabbat in the park. All young families are invited to attend. Temple Shalom membership is not required. To register, contact Education Administrative Assistant Paolette Matute at 239455-2233 or pmatute@naplestemple.org.

Mitzvah Day

Mitzvah Day is Sunday, April 24, beginning at 9 a.m. with a breakfast generously provided by the Temple Shalom Men’s Club. If you are looking to make a difference in helping combat hunger in

100% FREE

our community, you won’t want to miss this. Feel the joy of participating in a great social action event and experience the unique opportunity to help package 50,000 meals for Meals of Hope with hundreds of our One Family members. Other opportunities to participate include donating travel-sized toiletries for students in need right here in Collier County (and helping to pack them), Laces of Love new sneaker collection, baking dog biscuits for the animal shelter, and more! For more information on how you can help, please visit our website at www. naplestemple.org or contact the Tikkun Olam Volunteers of Temple Shalom at TempleShalomTOV@gmail.com.

Shabbat on the Beach

Join us on Lowdermilk Park beach on Friday, April 22 for a beautiful sunset Shabbat service at 7 p.m. We meet at the north end of the beach. Don’t forget a beach chair!

Scholar-in-Residence weekend

REFERRAL SERVICES

Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1,

Rabbi Norman Cohen, professor emeritus of Midrash at HUC-JIR/New York, joins us for a weekend of informative lectures on the theme of “Moses as Every Person.” The lecture series kicks off during Shabbat services on Friday evening with, “Moses’ Struggle with His Own Self-Doubts: Confronting Our Own Demons.” On Saturday, during the Kiddush luncheon following services, Rabbi Cohen continues the series with, “Moses Suffers the Loss of Miriam and Aaron: Dealing with the Deaths of Those Whom We Love.” On Sunday at 9:30 a.m., the series concludes with the topic, “Moses as Brother: His Relationship with Miriam and Aaron, and Our Relationships as Siblings.” These events are free and open to the public. For more information on the Scholar-in-Residence program, visit the Temple Shalom website or contact the Temple Shalom education office at education@naplestemple.org. The Scholar-in-Residence program is generously supported by the Shirley and Henry Kraus Scholar-in-Residence Fund.

A. Stephen Kotler BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES

Call Us First!

Honest, caring and knowledgable advice about senior living options in SWFL

• Medicaid Planning

With over 30 years of experience, we provide a personalized service to eliminate the guesswork in choosing the right senior living community. We look beyond the fancy décor and evaluate facilities on:

• Elder Law and Special Needs Planning

• Quality of care and services • Operational stability • Resident satisfaction

• Estate Planning and Probate

• Financial viability • Health care violations • Overall lifestyle

Locally owned and operated since 2008, we are familiar with all the options in the area and the pros/cons of each. Let us use our expertise to help find the right solution!

239.595.0207

seniorhousingsolutions.net

Bruce B. Rosenblatt, Owner Senior Housing Expert FGCU Visiting Lecturer

Kotler Law Firm P.L. (239) 325-2333

999 VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD, SUITE 200, NAPLES, FL 34108

COMMUNITY FOCUS

April 2022

Federation Star

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & JANET G. AND HARVEY D. COHEN EDUCATION CENTER www.HMCEC.org / 239.263.9200

At the Holocaust Museum Susan Suarez President & CEO CREDIT: DELL RIVER IMAGERY

ast month’s “Triumph of Courage” annual fundraising event was a great success! Thank you to all our event sponsors and guests for your support of this special evening benefiting our Holocaust education programs. Our special guest, General Roméo Dallaire, spoke movingly of his experiences protecting Tutsi citizens during the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. He is a true hero who, after being ordered to leave the country, stayed behind with some of his soldiers because they felt morally responsible to those who sought the protection of U.N. troops as the genocide was underway. He also spoke about his work to prevent children from being taken as soldiers as well as other humanitarian issues around the world. We had another special guest join us for Triumph — Kizito Kalima, a survivor of the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. His organization, the Peace Center for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, provided us with the current special exhibit, “The History of Rwanda in Ten Pictures” (see the description on page 18).

Rwandan blue basket and carved cane Susan Suarez and speakers on stage When he heard General Roméo Dallaire medicine, and chief of critical care at a was our event guest speaker, he decided southern New Jersey hospital. to attend. Mr. Kalima spoke for a few His lecture was on the “Physicians’ minutes before General Dallaire took the Role during the Period of the Holostage. Following the General’s remarks, caust.” Some topics covered included the they joined together to answer questions physicians’ trial at Nuremberg and Nazi from the audience. physicians’ experiments in concentraWe were privileged to witness this tion camps, the Tokyo war crimes trial powerful event with both a genocide and Japanese physicians’ experiments on survivor and upstander present. These POWs, the U.S. medical experiments remarkable individuals truly embodied involving humans around WWII and a the event’s “Triumph of Courage” theme. discussion of contemporary medical ethics in a challenging world

Doctors’ tour and lecture

The Museum recently hosted Collier County Medical Society members for a tour and a lecture presented by Stuart Mest, M.D. Dr. Mest is a Museum Board member, docent and educator. He was a pulmonary and critical care physician who served as chairman, department of

Special exhibition

April is Genocide Awareness Month, and the Museum has a special exhibit highlighting the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. We invite you to visit the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery, continued on page 18

Rwandan tall basket

INTRODUCING SEASCAPE AT NAPLES Here you’ll find the perfect combination of life enrichment and relaxation as part of your community experience.

• 24/7 on-site licensed nurses and full-time management nurses

• All utilities including phone, cable and Wi-Fi

• Delicious, nutritious meals prepared by our executive chef, served in a restaurant-like setting with tableside beer and wine service

• Leash on Life – pet concierge services

• RUI University programming for continuing education • I2 Construction - steel and concrete structural frame

• Private dining room available with reservations

• Generator in the case of a power outage

• A full life enrichment calendar

• Spacious studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments with full kitchen options

• LUXE Unlimited - salon manicure service and hairstylists • Library, theatre, and bistro • RUI FIT programming and gym • Physical, occupational and speech therapy on-site • Outdoor pool with putting green

• Screened in lanai • Resident parking • Independent living, Assisted living and Inspiritás – memory care

• Housekeeping and laundry services • Scheduled transportation

LOCATED IN NAPLES

CALL 239.354.7081 OR EMAIL TARA.SILIC@RUI.NET TO SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR TODAY! 3490 THRIVE DRIVE • NAPLES, FL 34105 • 239.354.7081 • WWW.RUI.NET/SEASCAPEATNAPLES

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

April 2022

at the museum...continued from page 17 where you’ll find “The These stories form the History of Rwanda in core of the “Portraits Ten Pictures,” a collecof Remembrance” tion of photographs, project, designed to documents and artifacts be used in our Holoabout this event. caust education classes This exhibit is on with middle and high loan from the Peace school students in Center for Forgiveness Southwest Florida. Rwandan Census ID Card and Reconciliation, and The stories will provide was created by Kizito Kalima, a survivor students with a rare, personal view of the of the genocide against the Tutsis. It uses Holocaust they won’t find in textbooks. cultural artifacts and panels to show how We recently met with the authors the society of Rwanda was divided while to discuss their work. They were gratiunder colonial rule, how those colonial fied that the memory of their family divisions continued after independence member(s) will live on and be shared and eventually led to the genocide against with future generations through our the Tutsis. program. GenShoah also honored former Several items in the exhibit are on GenShoah Program Chair Steve Brazina loan from Museum supporter Howard for his long-time contributions. Isaacson, CEO of Emmanuel CommuWe invite other 2G’s to share a story nities, Inc. and Emmanuel Academies, with us. It can be about a parent, grandInc. Isaacson has worked with ministers parent, aunts, uncles — any family memin Rwanda for many years. ber who survived or didn’t survive the Holocaust. For more information, please Yom HaShoah contact me at Susan@HMCEC.org.

commemoration service

This year, Temple Shalom will host an in-person Yom HaShoah commemoration service on Sunday, April 10, at 10 a.m. The service will also be livestreamed on the Temple’s website. Check our website, www.HMCEC.org, or the Temple’s website, www.naplestemple.org, for details.

Short story “portraits”

For the past several months, members of GenShoah of SWFL have been submitting short story “portraits” of family members who experienced the Holocaust.

Linda Blackman In honor of your birthday From: Pamela & Bubba Collins To:

Karen Ezrine In memory of Jack Moss From: Jane Schiff To:

Eloyse Fisher & Family In memory of David Fisher From: Maureen & Dennis Schaab Jane Schiff To:

Sandy Raizes In honor of your birthday From: Gail & Ross Rudolph

To:

Linda Simon In honor of your special birthday From: Arlene & Michael Sobol Leslie & Mel Springman To:

Carl Slesinger In memory of Carol Slesinger From: Sheila & Alvin Becker To:

Nancy Spiwak In memory of Frank Milgrim From: Monica & Allan Goodwin To:

To:

Ronald Roth & Family In memory of Burton Roth From: Delores & Corky Levin JoEllen & Len Rubenstein Gail & Mel Ufberg

Jay Weintraub In memory of Sue Weintraub From: Sheila & Alvin Becker Diane & Jeff Shein

Book a tour

Now that spring is here, it is a great time to book a Museum tour with your friends, club or family. The Museum offers private tours with a docent for groups of 12 to 20 people. Call 239-263-9200 or e-mail David@HMCEC.org for more information and to schedule your tour. On behalf of the Museum’s Board of Directors and staff, I wish you and your family a Happy Passover. Hope to see you soon at the Museum or one of our programs!

Introducing

$100 OFF

To:

Tributes

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Janine Hudak at the Federation office at 239-263-4205 or jhudak@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note card acknowledging your gift will be sent to the person or loved one you designate. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

ElliQ is the sidekick for healthier, happier aging designed to empower older adults to live active, engaged, and independent lives at home.

enrollment fee with the discount code:

Learn more and purchase your own!

WWW.ELLIQ.COM 1 (844) 944-ELLI

ORGANIZATIONS

April 2022

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL

Federation Star

www.jhsswf.org / 239.566.1771

Horriﬁc war in Ukraine has touched us all By Marina Berkovich, president

Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

kraine is a place from which many American Jews hail in this or preceding generations, and that is why I am dedicating my Passover column to it. It has a long and complex historical path, which, over the final days of February 2022, became even more entangled. Who lived there first? There is much evidence that Jews were among the earliest settlers in the contemporary Podol part of Kiev, the Mother of all Russia, its lowland. Ukraine, whose territorial name first emerged as Zaporozhian Sich, received its first independent statehood in 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. Before the Soviet Union was formed, there was a short-lived attempt of Ukrainian statehood in 191819 and its yellow-blue flag was first used. Most Americans are unfamiliar with Sich, aka Cossack republic. This semi-free settlement was well depicted in the “Taras Bulba” film. But you’ve no doubt heard of the Cossacks of 19th- and 20th-century Russia through the family lore of pogroms

in the Pale. Initially, the Cossacks fled Mongols and were guarding the Russian borders from them and the Ottomans. The population of the Sich had Ukrainians, Moldavians, Tatars, Poles, Lithuanians, Jews, Russians and many other ethnicities of all social layers, including runaway nobility. After the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire for possession of the Black Sea and Crimean steppes ended, Russia no longer needed the Zaporozhian Cossacks for border protection and it was destroyed in 1775. It was during Catherine the Great’s reign that the word ukraina was likely derived from the Russian word okraina, specifically meaning “the edge of this land,” or less likely, from the Ukrainian kraina or Polish kraj, both meaning “country/land.” It was also still on Catherine’s watch that the Pale was formed to “protect the Jews.” Modern Ukrainians have genes with more than 13 million genetic variants among their DNA samples; many have Ashkenazi ancestry. Ukraine has been striving to become a nation. Whether or not it did a good job or was drowning in corruption is for history to decide. It will be harder to get to the truth now, since, like in Iraq, Ukraine’s museums were bombed and robbed of priceless artifacts.

The Kievan Rus princes forcibly converted the people of Kiev to Christianity in 988, winning over three potential religions: Islam, Catholicism and Judaism. The population of Russia is not ethnically pure either, with more than 100 languages spoken by over 120 ethnic groups, who have coexisted since times immemorial. We are all grieving for the victims of this current tragedy. Especially, those of

us with family or friends in Ukraine or Russian families and friends with children in the military. There will be no winners here. Nobody’s lives will ever be the same. Lastly, given the long, love-hate relationship of Ukraine and its Jewry, it must be providential that, at this significant moment in history, defense of Ukraine is led by its Jewish President, and how! Let’s pray for his safety.

JOIN THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL We need your help in our mission of historical preservation and education. We need volunteers. Please join us as members. Family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. Please join us online by entering the appropriate amount or mail check to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite # 255, Naples FL 34108. We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwestflorida.org/. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Don’t miss NCO’s Season Finale!! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! FRIDAY, APRIL 29 AT 7:00 PM & SATURDAY AT 3:00 PM

NCO PLAYS POPS!

TICKETS JUST $30! Order your tickets online at:

www.NaplesCommunityOrchestra.org

Moorings Presbyterian Church JODIE DESALVO & JONATHON ZENG

American Favorites by Gershwin, John Williams, and much more

Corporate Sponsor:

791 Harbour Drive, Naples

Federation Star

ORGANIZATIONS

April 2022

https://jwvpost202.wordpress.com/ 239.261.3270

JEWISH WAR VETERANS

JWV Post 202 update By Harve Sturm Commander

Harve Sturm Commander JWV Post #202

he Jewish War Veterans of the United States (JWV) is the voice of Jewish veterans and friends to all veterans. The organization was founded in 1896, after the American Civil War. The Union fought antisemitism, in the armed forces and with the general public. Jews proudly served and fought in the armed forces. With over 124 years of service, the JWV is the oldest continuously operating veteran’s organization in the United States. Our mission is to foster and perpetuate patriotism and respect for the American flag, encourage the doctrine of universal liberty and equal rights, preserve our values for future generations, advocate for civics education in our schools, and protect and defend the rights of those who protect and defend us. In April and May of this year, because of the pandemic, our JROTC awards program was modified. The Commanders

at the seven schools were given certificates and medals to distribute to the winners. We also participated in other ceremonies: i.e., memorial services for those who served. We are proud, as Jewish veterans, to have served our country; we are proud that we continue to bring honor and recognition to our people. We stand for Jewish pride, identity and the American military to our nation.

Non-veterans who are patriotic and dedicated to Jewish values are invited to join as Patron members.

C o n t a c t u s : E a r l Ta u b e , S r. Vice Commander, 239-370-8136, jwvpost202naples@gmail.com.

Mission statement

• Foster and perpetuate true Americanism • Uphold Jewish identity and fight against bigotry and antisemitism • Encourage the doctrine of universal liberty and equal rights • Preserve comradeship amongst veterans and their families • Preserve the legacy of Jewish American military service • Combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions

Become a member

We welcome those who have served in the U.S. military (combat not required).

Karen Cohn

Our assisted living is accredited for two reasons. You. And your family. Because having the confidence and peace of mind of accreditation is important. That’s why The Carlisle is accredited by CARF International—an independent organization that sets exceedingly high standards for care and service. It’s a lot like an accreditation for a hospital or college. Or a five-star rating for a hotel. We think you’ll find that our accreditation is only one of the many reasons to take a good look at The Carlisle Naples senior living community.

Lunch & Learn | Thursday, April 21st • 11:30am

Join us for a presentation on senior living and the exceptional services & safeguards offered. Afterwards, take a tour and enjoy a delicious lunch. To RSVP, call 239.444.6891.

CARF-ACCREDITED INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES • ECC LI CENSED

6945 Carlisle Court • Naples, FL • TheCarlisleNaples.com • 239.444.6891

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY #9408

Located just south of Orange Blossom Drive on the west side of Airport-Pulling Road

D I N I N G O P T I O N S • T R A N S P O R TAT I O N • V I B R A N T W E L L N E S S P R O G R A M S

ORGANIZATIONS

Federation Star

April 2022

COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

www.hadassah.org / 518.330.1559

Healing through Hadassah Joyce Toub Collier/Lee Hadassah President

y mind is awash with many things: hopefully, the world i s re c ov e r i n g f r o m t h e COVID-19 pandemic, Russia will learn its place in the world and withdraw from Ukraine, attempts to thwart the ravages of climate change, and myriad situations that arise daily are hounding me. What Hadassah does is focus me on those

tangible outcomes that I can control and appreciate, like helping to educate, heal and understand relationships and bring relief to others. While we do that, we must also stand up for ourselves and fight the ugly rise of antisemitism. It seems to echo all around us these days. For a thoughtful, insightful discussion on antisemitism, I refer you to this month’s Hadassah magazine, April edition. The Hadassah organization chose the Hebrew name for Esther to continue the bravery and action of this woman during Biblical times. What began in 1912 continues today, 110 years later.

In March, we celebrated Hadassah’s birthday — at Temple Shalom on March 18 and at Beth Tikvah on March 19. Hadassah women participated in services and in educating the synagogues’ members regarding our history and achievements. I couldn’t be prouder! Our Expanding Horizons Series III begins on April 7 and continues through Nov. 7, covering topics from presidential libraries, mindful motion, baking, book discussions, creativity, and much more. Please check your Hadassah Happenings and e-blasts for further information on how to join us. Passover begins April 15. The Passover story is one of survival and courage that

we retell every year at our Seders. This year is so very different. For many of us, it will be our first time to celebrate with extended family in more than two years! Having faced a plague of our own, we can identify with our Biblical ancestors as we recite the story of Pharaoh and the plagues. We remind ourselves that from darkness comes light. We have been resilient and empathize with others in ways we have learned to live over these past two years. The Hadassah family is stronger; all work of healing in Israel and around the globe gives us hope for a better tomorrow. I wish you all a Zeesan Pesach!

The ugly face of antisemitism in the U.S. today By Patricia Levinson, Communications Chair, Hadassah International

re we too sensitive about antisemitism? After all, in the United States in 2022, there are no longer quotas for Jews at universities. Jews know that their bid on a home will not be turned down simply because they are Jewish. Jews do not have to avoid professions where they know that they will never be permitted to advance and achieve their full potential. Jews are no longer routinely excluded from country clubs, golf courses

and other venues where important business is done. We have reached the highest ranks of government, academia, law, medicine, commerce and industry. Yet, in our politically polarized country, saying the unthinkable has somehow become acceptable. It is now not uncommon to hear antisemitic tropes used casually by politicians and in the media. White supremacists spew “Jew Hate” rhetoric at marches. Even Holocaust

FEATURING A VAST AND VARIED COLLECTION OF MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS, COLLAGE WORKS, SCULPTURES AND ART FURNITURE CREATED FROM THE UNSTOPPABLE & CLEVER MIND OF ARTIST & WRITER

JOHN CARROLL LONG

denial is freely expressed. But we tend to tell ourselves that these are just words. It does not seem to affect us directly. After all, we are fully accepted in society. We are no longer regarded as a minority that is discriminated against. But is that true? We must face the fact that, recently, our synagogues have been under attack and Jews have been killed or held hostage simply because they are Jewish. In some

cities, Jews have been attacked on the streets because they were wearing clothing that obviously identified them as Jews. Major U.S. media outlets continue to hold Israel to impossible standards they apply to no other country and, in December, the United Nations passed another three resolutions against Israel. For me, this antisemitism is getting frighteningly close. Not only was the continued on page 22

UP ART

CONTE M POR ARY

340 8TH ST. S. NAPLES . FLORIDA 34102 239.641.3898 239.860.3898 www.upartcontemporary.com Andrea Clark Brown, AIA, Director

OPEN DAILY

Federation Star

antisemitism...continued from page 21 Holocaust Museum in my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida recently defaced by antisemitic graffiti, but this week in a blatant display of antisemitism, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis refused to condemn a Nazi rally in Orlando, a 90-minute drive from where I live. And then, there are the new antisemitic tropes promulgated by those who, knowing that they cannot eliminate and defeat Israel militarily, are trying to achieve their goal by isolating and delegitimizing Israel, the historic Jewish homeland. Their campaign portrays Israel as a pariah nation. The language used casts aspersion, not only on Israel, but on those who support Israel. It is not only blatantly anti-Zionist; it is blatantly antisemitic. The Palestinian Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement and other organizations that propagate anti-Zionist antisemitism on university campuses have become far more strident. Identification with Israel has become a litmus test that has resulted in exclusion of and discrimination against Jewish students and pro-Israel advocates on America’s college campuses. While attending institutions of higher learning, our children and grandchildren are increasingly afraid to express their support of Israel. There is a remarkable amount of ignorance about antisemitism in the U.S. A recent NBC News story showed “a shocking lack of Holocaust knowledge among millennials” with 63% of millennials and Gen Z unaware that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, and over a half of the survey respondents thought that the toll was under two million. Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), knowing that the issue is so important, devoted the entire January-February 2022 edition of Hadassah Magazine to exploring the different facets of antisemitism in the U.S. Confronting antisemitism requires a clear understanding of what constitutes antisemitism in 2022. HWZOA is actively lobbying to ensure that government, academia and social media in the U.S. adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which has already been adopted by many countries around the world. IHRA cites several examples of antisemitism, one of which is: “Denying the Jewish people their right to selfdetermination, for example, by claiming

ORGANIZATIONS / FOCUS ON YOUTH

April 2022

that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.” The canard “Zionism equals Racism” came out of the antisemitic hate fest that was the First United Nations (UN) Worldwide Conference on Racism in Durban in 2001. The argument presented at the time was that Israel is an “apartheid state,” and therefore a racist endeavor. This was an important linchpin of the Palestinian campaign to delegitimize Israel, as passage of anti-Israel resolutions by the U.N. (and there are many each year) provide an aura of legitimacy to the tropes employed to vilify Israel. The Amnesty International report issued this week is a perfect example of this ongoing antisemitic campaign against Israel. So, what is trotted out as proof that Israel is an apartheid state? Today, Palestinians point to the “separation wall,” which they call the “apartheid wall,” constructed during the second Palestinian intifada (uprising) as “proof positive” that Israel is an apartheid state and, therefore, racist. What is this “separation wall,” and why was it built in the first place? Most people living in the U.S. today have no idea that it was built during the second intifada (2000-2005), to prevent the spate of terrorist attacks organized by the Palestinian leadership to kill and injure hundreds of innocent Jews and Arabs living in Israel. It seemed that almost every other day there was another suicide bombing carried out by a child or young man who had been encouraged to video his last will and testament, strap on a vest laden with a bomb and detonator, and with the cry “Allahu Akbar,” step onto a bus, into a restaurant or into a crowd on the street, and kill himself along with as many of the people as possible. Residents of Jerusalem, Jewish and Arab alike, dreaded getting on a bus to go to work every morning. The Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) in Jerusalem, with its world-class trauma unit, bore the brunt of caring for

239.592.9377 Full Service Printer serving Naples since 2003 Graphic Design • Mail Campaigns • Brochures • • Business Cards • Business Identity Packages • • And Much More!

info@naplesenvelope.com

the victims of these attacks. During a visit to Hadassah Hospital at Ein Kerem in 2001, I personally witnessed the aftermath of a suicide bombing of innocent civilians on a Jerusalem bus. I watched from a hospital window as the seemingly endless stream of ambulances arrived in the courtyard below. One after the other, they disgorged casualties. The skilled medical staff rushed out of the trauma unit to unload each patient. A doctor did a quick triage, and the victim was assigned to the correct place for immediate treatment. The hospital social workers quickly identified victims, helped families to find their loved ones and counseled people whose loved ones had been killed. That scene will never leave me. I will never know how many lives were saved by the dedicated staff of the Hadassah Medical Organization and how many died that day. By mid-August 2002, Israel knew that the status quo was not tolerable. The government had the responsibility to protect all Israelis, both Arab and Jewish, from the terrorism of suicide bombers. With ongoing talks to achieve a peaceful solution to the Israeli /Palestinian conflict

going nowhere, the government decided that the most effective way to prevent the terror that had already claimed many hundreds of innocent victims, was to build a “separation wall,” designed to follow the old armistice “Green Line,” wherever possible. In 2003, building of the wall started. With each kilometer of construction, the number of terrorist attacks decreased. By the time the wall was completed in 2005, suicide bombings in the area had ceased. The separation wall was not a racist endeavor. It was simply an effective way to end the bloody toll of terrorism and the suffering of its victims. Antisemitism in the form of antiZionism is unfortunately still alive and well today. However, we can stand tall as Jews and Zionists and counter the ongoing slander and demagoguery. Each of us has the power to heal our world, to raise our voices and to make a difference. I hope you, too, will join Hadassah in standing up for what is right — the safety of the Jewish people, fighting hatred towards Jews, and standing in solidarity with Israel. We all need to call out antiIsrael and antisemitic agendas, rhetoric and ideology wherever and whenever we encounter it. Patricia Levinson, Hadassah International Communications Chair, serves on the Honorary Council of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America Inc. (HWZOA) and the Hadassah International Board of Directors. She was born in South Africa, moving to Israel in 1966 and the USA in 1970. Patricia lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

BBYO

azabbg.bbyo.org/on-demand/home

Another great month

halom Naples! BBYO Naples had another great month! Our International Convention delegates from the community loved their experience in Baltimore. Whether it was the plenary moments, the concerts or our excursions in and around Baltimore, 2,100 delegates gathered from around the world for a weekend they’ll likely never forget. Some highlights were conversations with Julien Edelman, Nikki Fried and Eve Barlow, and concerts with Steve Aoki and Surfaces. We encourage you to take a look at our IC recap video found at azabbgic.bbyo.org.

This month, BBYO Naples is giving back to the community by joining Temple Shalom’s Mitzvah Day the morning of Sunday, April 24. From Mitzvah Day, teens will board a bus to Top Golf for fun and friendship! Save the date for our day trip to Busch Gardens Sunday, May 15. More details to come. Be in touch with any questions or ideas (jesszimmerman@bbyo.org)! We can’t wait to see you. Events are open to all Jewish teens in eighth through 12th grade in Naples and Fort Myers.

FOCUS ON YOUTH

April 2022

Federation Star

www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

TEMPLE SHALOM PRESCHOOL

Celebrating Passover with the kids By Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Director of Lifelong Learning

ater this month, we will celebrate the holiday of Passover! This is by far one of our favorite holidays to celebrate at Temple Shalom Preschool. We tell the story, taste different flavors of matzah, sing songs and talk about the value of freedom. Here are some fun ideas to do at home with your kiddos and family!

Have a chocolate Seder

A chocolate Seder is a fun twist on the traditional Seder. All the ritual foods are substituted for a chocolate alternative (i.e., 4 cups of wine become 4 cups of chocolate milk). Here is a link to a chocolate Seder Haggadah if you are interested in hosting a kid-friendly chocolate Seder! https:// tinyurl.com/chocolatesederhaggadah.

Make homemade matzah

Matzah is super simple and fun to make. Only two ingredients are needed: flour and water! Check out this recipe and enjoy your delicious Passover friendly treat. tinyurl.com/homeadematzah

Tell the Passover story

The Passover story is fascinating, even for little ones. You can make it more exciting and act it out with costumes and props.

Watch the “Prince of Egypt”

This Disney movie tells the story of Passover with drama and music. It brings the story to life and helps young learners understand the meaning of Passover.

PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Make a Seder tablecloth

Purchase a white tablecloth and let children use fabric markers to decorate the tablecloth for Passover. Children can use stencils to draw Passover ritual items and write your family name. Alternatively, place a large piece of white butcher paper on your Seder table and Acting out the Passover story provide markers and crayWe wish you a happy and healthy Passons for the kids to decorate during the over and hope you and your families have actual Seder. fun preparing and celebrating. Passover is our most child-friendly Chag Sameach! holiday and a super festive time for all!

www.chabadnaples.com / 239.262.4474

Our children and the community around them By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

t Preschool of the Arts, we strive to cultivate each of our student’s intellectual, emotional, social and moral potential. The exceptional individualized care invested in every single child, from the time they walk in the door as a toddler until the day they walk out as a capable and school-ready student, is truly one of a kind. Step onto our beautiful state-of-the-art campus and you are no longer just a face in a crowd; you and your child are important individuals that make up the mosaic of our unique community. That community extends beyond just our students and their families. We are privileged to benefit from the support and partnership of our Greater Naples community. Throughout the months of February and March, we enjoyed numerous events that fostered warm relationships between our children and the community around them. In late February, POTA welcomed officers from the Naples Police Department for a fun “Cookies, Cops and Classrooms” event that introduced our children to law enforcement in a warm and educational way. Our brave law enforcement officers connected with the children over some delicious cookies and the children were able to gain a sense of security and appreciation for the incredible work our police force does to keep our entire community safe. Visits like these are crucial to creating a foundation of trust and support that builds community relationships. In early March, we continued to foster important relationships by hosting one of our most popular events of the year — Grandparents’ Day! At POTA, we know that being a grandparent is one of the

Thank you to the Naples Police Department for visiting Preschool of the Arts and for always going above and beyond to keep our community safe! greatest gifts in life and we were honored to recognize the special role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives. This year’s event was a garden party, inspired by the theme, “Grandparents Are Our Roots.” Our guests enjoyed fun-filled gardening activities and a special musical performance from our star students! Throughout the day, we were inspired to witness the Nachat — overwhelming pride and joy — on all our grandparents’ faces, beaming as the children demonstrated their tremendous accomplishments and growth. Most wonderful of all, was the way the children burst with pride, as each one felt like a million dollars — special and loved by their beloved grandparents. It is truly only grandparents who can bring so much joy! The joy continued in the weeks leading up to Purim. Our children got well into the spirit of the festivities at school, dressing up in costumes, singing Purim songs and baking Hamantaschen. In art class, the children designed and decorated beautiful baskets that they filled with yummy goodies. The children then gifted their

basket to a friend in the Purim custom of Mishloach Manot, encouraging sharing, giving and friendship.

Preschool of the Arts children delight in friendships, playground fun and hands-on learning experiences.

The highlight of the holiday was a community-wide outdoor celebration at the Chabad and POTA campus — “Purim in the Wild West!” There was fun for the whole family, from pony rides to a rope show to rides on a mechanical bull! The ultimate Purim party also invited all our cowboys and cowgirls — and various other guests dressed in costume — to a delicious Saloon Dinner and the speediest Megillah readin’ in the Wild West. Everyone had a roaring good time with smiles and laughter galore! Want to bring a smile to your child’s face? Sign him or her up for Summer of the Arts! Our summer experience is like dozens of specialty camps rolled into one. Families can sign up for all six weeks or either of our two, three-week sessions, which run from June 7 to July 15. Enrollment is almost full, with very limited availability in certain classes. Due to high demand, we encourage prospective families to enroll today. For more information, visit our website, NaplesPreschooloftheArts.com, or call 239-263-2620.

Federation Star

9TH ANNUAL

April 2022

FOCUS ON YOUTH

FULLY VIRT UA L

GET ON THE LIST NOW FOR NEXT YEAR! Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our patrons, subscribers and sponsors. You’ve persisted in learning the approach to our new and greatly improved viewing platform and we are grateful. Next year will be a breeze! Join in the fun if you are not already on our friends list by logging on to naplesjewishfilmfestival.org. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN 2022 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Stacey and Frank Baum Marcia Cohodes and David Goldsteen Shelley and Steven Einhorn Susie Goldsmith Stephen Iser

Jay and Stuart Kaye Eleanor Liberman Jennifer Deutsch and Kenny Rowler Elizabeth and Stanley Star

DIRECTORS Ruth and Bruce Bier Marsha and Robert Karp Paulette and Ed Margulies

Harvey Rosenthal Joan and Marc Saperstein

FESTIVAL FRIENDS Judy and Neil Adelman Barry Barber Gayle and Marty Barber Goldie and Lou Bertone Beverly and Andrew Blazar Rosalee and Jerry Bogo Dawn Sherman and Mathew Ferko Liz and Harry Fishman Madeline Foster Judith and Jeremy Freedman Cindi and Harold Goldfine Sheldon and Gail Goodman Elaine and Fred Kamin

Rene Geist Susie Goldsmith Evelyn Hecht Jay Kaye Nancy Siegal Sylvia Whitman

LEADERSHIP TEAM Stacey Baum Rosalee Bogo Amos Chorny

May You Be Blessed with Good Health, Peace, Prosperity and Togetherness on Pesach and Always! Please come visit our

Garden of Remembrance

Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens 525 111th Avenue North | Naples, FL 34108

239-597-3101

www.HodgesNaplesMG.com

Anna and Yale Levin Gail and Stephen Machov Linda and Stuart Miller Karen and Neil Moss FE and Jack Nortman Debbie Laites and Ben Post Nancy and Steven Schachtman Jane Schiff Susan and Robert Schwartz Mindy and Jay Sterns Susan and Jay Weiss Audrey and Harris Yett

SCREENING COMMITTEE Stacey Baum Andy Blazar Beverly Blazar Jerry Bogo Rosalee Bogo Marcia Cohodes

Wishing You & Yours All the Joys of the Passover Holiday

Marcia Cohodes Jay Kaye

FILM SPONSORS

The Cardozo Society is formed as a way to network the many existing and new Jewish attorneys in our legal community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples continues to reach out to raise awareness through this association of Jewish attorneys promoting professionalism, cooperation, and identification with our Jewish community. For more information contact Joshua Bialek at

BUSINESS PARTNER

PRESENTED BY

jbialek@porterwright.com

Jewish Federation OF GREATER NAPLES

OF GREATER NAPLES

NAPLESJEWISHFILMFESTIVAL.ORG | 239-434-1818

Celebrate all that we have done this year!

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 | 7:00 PM

OF GREATER NAPLES

Annual Meeting

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEEKLY MONDAY EBLAST FOR MORE INFORMATION

JEWISH INTEREST

April 2022

Federation Star

Chad Gadya — why a goat? Why, you may ask, have Jews always celebrated goats? By Arlene Stolnitz

hy? Because they have always lived with goats. In every shtetl, even the poorest family kept a goat to provide milk for the children. Throughout the centuries, Jews have identified with the klor vays tsigele, the small white goat, a familiar figure in Jewish culture. According to folklore, it was not unusual for Jews to have their beloved goat sleep inside the house on a cold night! Who doesn’t know the light-hearted, but symbolic, “Chad Gadya,” sung in a mix of Aramaic and Hebrew every year at the Passover Seder? Or the beloved “Roshinkez Mit Mandlen-Raisins and Almonds,” especially revered by Ashkenazi European Jews. And there is the lesser-known children’s musical game dance, “Yesh Lanu Taish – We Have a Goat.” Passover will be here soon and a discussion of the symbolism in “Chad Gadya” is appropriate. According to Biblical scripture (Exodus 12:5) the Pesach offering can be either a lamb or a goat. Its

sacrifice has come to represent the oppression of the Jewish people throughout the centuries, much like that of the Israelites’ experience in Egypt. “Roshinkez” tells the story from Yiddish folklore of a small white goat asleep under a baby’s cradle. Written by Abraham Goldfaden, the song has become, in modern times, a metaphor for the extinction of European Jewry during the Holocaust. We also know “the goat” has appeared in well-known works of art and literature. Many of Chagall’s paintings portray a “goat.” Poems and stories by Shalom Aleichem, Issac Bashevis Singer and I.L. Peretz often include “the goat” in their literature. I recently read “The Enchanted Tailor” by Shalom Aleichem, which tells a “shtetl” story about the importance of goats to villagers. As described in the Shalom Aleichem story, “...if there is a goat in the house, you can have a glass of milk for the children;

and hardiness, the goat is you can cook porridge with often depicted as a symbol of milk; you can make a milk fertility, abundance, aggressoup for dinner, noodles and sion and good luck in many milk for supper; and, besides, ancient cultures. It is clear to you can count on a pitcher of me that, through the centuries, sour cream, a piece of cheese, a bit of butter. Think of it. If goats played an important role both in household and we only had a goat! …There is Arlene Stolnitz temple rituals. an ancient law that every Jew My interest in goats was piqued when must own a goat. Let me quote you…” I visited the Yiddish Book Center in So, back to the beginning…why a Amherst, MA. Their logo is a goat, and I goat? Let’s go back in time. My research was curious to know why they had chosen shows that goats have been around as this as their symbol. And all of this led me far back as prehistoric times. Goats were to the article you are reading today. the first animal to be tamed by humans and were being herded over 9,000 years Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sarasota Jewish Chorale, is a member of the Jewish ago! Earliest remnants of domesticated Congregation of Venice. A retired educator goats were found in Iran over 10,000 from Rochester, New York, she has sung in years ago. choral groups for over 25 years and also sings This small, useful animal was imporin The Venice Chorale. Her interest in the tant in ancient civilizations, especially preservation of Jewish music of all kinds has in the Fertile Crescent. Goats were led to this series of articles on Jewish Folk animals of unique intelligence, virility Music in the Diaspora. and behavior. Because of their usefulness

To Our WCA Volunteers Every April during National Volunteer Week, organizations nationwide celebrate and recognize the efforts of their volunteers. The Women’s Cultural Alliance proudly thanks the hundreds of amazing women who create, organize and facilitate activities for WCA. YOU are key to the success of the outstanding programming that WCA offers to our members.

Board of Directors

Women’s Cultural Alliance wcanaples.org

Community of Friendship

Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

April 2022

How Christians saved Passover for south Italy’s secret Jews Aging Jewishly — What our traditions tell us about growing old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

“Neofiti,” as these newly s we grow older, the minted Christians were old stories take on called, continued to arouse special importance. the suspicion of Inquisition. For the traditional Seder When the first night of Passmeal, there is one story that over finally arrived, Inquisihighlights diversity, appreciation soldiers, who waited for tion and unity — a unique the sun to set, would burst story to share around the through the doors of what Passover table. had once been Jewish homes, The story begins nearly checking to see if any of these 500 years ago, when couformer Jews were making rageous Christians helped Rabbi Barbara Passover in secret. southern Italian Jews celAiello Observing this injustice, some couraebrate Passover in secret. Today, the geous Christians concocted a plan to help tradition lives on with the revival of their Jewish neighbors. At great personal “Seder Hamishi.” peril to themselves and their famiSome historians believe that Russian lies, these Christians encouraged their painter Moshe Maimon’s most famous Jewish neighbors to hold a seder on an work, “Marranos: Secret Seder,” tells “off” night — the fifth night — to avoid the story of the Seder Hamishi, a special Passover Seder held, not on the first or arousing suspicion. Stories are told of Christian famisecond night of Passover, but, as its name lies who allowed Jews to sneak into suggests, on the fifth night of the holiday. their Christian “cantinas” (basement Legend has it that during the time of the Inquisition, Jews who had been forced rooms). Under the cover of darkness, these crypto-Jews first made the space into Christian conversion were helped, kosher, then obser ved Passover, surprisingly, by their Christian neighbors.

complete with symbolic foods, prayers and blessings. Over the years, the fifth night seder became known as the Seder Hamishi — a doubly appropriate name, since “hamish” is the Yiddish word for cozy, homey and friendly. Here in Calabria, friends and families, both Jewish and Christian, have gathered annually to celebrate this remarkable Passover event since it was revived in 2004. Each year, the Seder Hamishi is held in the Calabrian town of Lamezia Terme (formerly Nicastro) near to “Timpone,” the old Jewish quarter that is still intact. Seder guests tour “Timpone,” tucked beneath the castle of King Fredrick II, a monarch who, recognizing the valuable contribution that these Italian Jews made to the local economy, offered them safety and protection. Like our Ashkenazi brothers and sisters, we Italian Sephardim gather the symbolic foods necessary to tell the seder story; however, our foods differ from the usual Ashkenazi fare. Instead of the traditional shank bone, the anusim community chooses the “bietola,” (blood red beet) to symbolize the lamb’s blood on the doorposts. Locally grown romaine lettuce replaces horseradish and pieces of celery stalk serve as “karpas,” the green vegetable that is dipped in vinegar, rather than salt water. The traditional egg on the Italian seder plate is a rich brown in color, because it has been roasted for hours with onion skins, vinegar and saffron. The seder meal begins with a “primo piatto” of rice steamed with vegetables, because in our Sephardic Mediterranean tradition, rice is considered kosher for Pesach. Roasted lamb is a must along with “mina,” a layered lasagna-type meat, spinach and matzah pie brought to Italy from Spain by our cryptoJewish ancestors.

Pesach anusim traditions begin with the lighting of the memorial candle in honor of our Jewish ancestors who were arrested, tortured and murdered by the Inquisition. Next, we offer the candle blessing for Shabbat and Yom Tov, sung in an ancient Ladino melody. The seder plate itself is actually a “ke’arah,” a woven basket-type tray covered with silk netting that makes a grand entrance to the seder table after the kindling of light. At the singing of “Ha lachma anya,” the plate of matzah is passed shoulder to shoulder among guests, a symbol of the heavy burden of slavery. A tin can at the head of the table takes center stage for the recitation of the Ten Plagues as a splash of wine punctuates each plague. When the can is filled, the can is taken to a far corner of the garden outdoors with the admonition, “May our enemies stay far from our door.” Then, it’s a rousing version of Dayenu, which features green onion stalks that guests use to tap each other, symbolizing the sound of the whips used to beat the Hebrew slaves. For me, a bat anusim or “daughter of the forced ones” leading the Seder Hamishi each year is one of the most emotionally significant experiences of my rabbinic career. As we read the ancient blessings, I recall my own family’s history. Now, as each Seder Hamishi brings with it the realization that fear and prejudice nearly extinguished our heritage, this understanding is coupled with a deep sense of gratitude to the nameless Christians whose courage helped preserve the very traditions that I enjoy today. For 10 years, Rabbi Barbara Aiello served the Aviva Campus for Senior Life (Sarasota, FL) as resident rabbi. Her most popular columns are now published in her new book, “Aging Jewishly,” available on Amazon books. Rabbi Barbara now lives and works in Italy, where she is rabbi of Italy’s first Reconstructionist synagogue. Contact her at Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com.

MixMingle &

JEWISH SINGLES 55 AND UP Read our weekly eblast to find out when the next activity will be. register at www.jewishnaples.org or sign up via our eblast

SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SINCE 1996

OF GREATER NAPLES

Fuller Cremation Center 5325 Jaeger Road Naples, Florida 34109

Fuller Funeral Home 1625 Pine Ridge Road Naples, Florida 34109

239.592.1611 wecare@fullernaples.com

www.FullerNaples.com

JEWISH INTEREST

April 2022

Federation Star

Broadway dreams, two action flicks, Auschwitz gladiators Stars of David By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

ditor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in, or identify with, a faith other than Judaism. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. The Disney+ original film, “Better Nate Than Ever,” premieres April 1. Nate, 13, is an unpopular Pittsburgh teen who fantasizes that he will become a big Broadway star. His best friend, Libby, convinces him to go with her to New York and audition for a big Broadway musical. He lucks out when he runs into his Aunt Heidi (Lisa Kudrow, 58), a ‘showbiz smart’ person who has long been estranged from Nate’s parents. On April 4 and 5, most PBS stations will air a two-part biography of Benjamin Franklin. The episodes are each two hours long, from 8 to10 p.m. I’m sure there will be encore showings and you can watch it on the PBS app. The super-famous documentary maker, Ken Burns, directed the episodes. It is narrated by actor Peter Coyote, 80. I doubt that Burns (whose wife is Jewish) will even mention this, but I will, in case you come across the many antisemitic sites that say Franklin wrote

a lengthy attack on Jews. Usually called the “Franklin Prophecy,” this “big lie” junk was actually written by a notorious antisemite in the 1930s. Check the very good Wikipedia entry (entitled “Franklin’s Prophecy”) for more details. As many scholars have noted, Franklin (really) gave a small cash donation to a struggling Philadelphia synagogue. Not something an antisemite would do. “Gaslight” is an 8-episode limited Starz series that begins streaming April 24. Early in 1972, John Mitchell (Sean Penn, 61), Nixon’s attorney general, resigned and became Nixon’s reelection campaign head. His wife, Martha (Julia Roberts), had some info about the Watergate break-in (June 1972) and John knew she probably would give this info to the press. Just days after the break-in, John arranged for his wife’s kidnapping and imprisonment in a hotel room. Martha managed to call a top Washington reporter and briefly talk about Watergate before the phone was ripped from her hand. John then orchestrated a smear campaign to paint his wife as a drunk and a “nut.” Nat Faxon, 44, whose mother was Jewish, plays top Nixon aide Bob Haldeman. Like Nixon’s other top aide, John Ehrlichman, Haldeman did prison time for his Watergate crimes. The Nixon

tapes disclosed that Haldeman and Nixon often made antisemitic remarks, but never did so when Ehrlichman was present. Why? They knew that Ehrlichman’s father was a Jew who converted to John’s mother’s faith, Christian Science. The action-thriller film, “Ambulance,” opens in theaters April 8. Plot: William Sharp, an African American war vet, needs $231,000 for his wife’s surgery. He turns to his adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal, 41), a career criminal. Their attempt to rob a bank goes wrong — they shoot a police officer and flee in an ambulance carrying the shot cop and an EMT. In a recent Esquire interview, Gyllenhaal said it was time for him to do some big action movies again — and that’s the type of films that “Ambulance” director Michael Bay, 57, makes (“Transformers,” “Pearl Harbor”). Esquire also reported that Jake’s actress sister, Maggie, gave Jake a mezuzah at a 2021 family Hanukkah party hosted by their screenwriter mother, Naomi Foner, 75. Ben Foster, 41, an excellent actor, stars in two new movies — “The Contractor” (in theaters April 1) and “The Survivor,” an original HBO Max film (premieres April 27). Foster was raised in his father’s Jewish faith and was a bar

mitzvah. His wife, Laura Prepon, 41 (“That '70s Show”), also is the child of a Jewish father/non-Jewish mother. “Contractor” is an action film about James Harper, a former special forces soldier (Chris Pine) who goes to work for a private company along with his best friend (Foster). He needs friends when he takes on a very dangerous overseas mission. Foster is the star of “The Survivor,” based on the true story of Harry Haft (1925-2007). Haft was just 16 when he was sent to Auschwitz. His strong build prompted the SS to train him to be a boxer. The SS found it “entertaining” to force prisoners to box to the death before military personnel. Haft survived 76 such matches. I am annoyed that the only other Jew playing a Jew is Israeli model and actress Dar Zuzovsky, 31. Vicky Krieps, who plays Miriam, Haft’s (real) Jewish girlfriend, isn’t Jewish — but I give Krieps a “pass” because her real-life grandfather was an anti-Nazi resistance leader. The film was directed by Oscar-winner Barry Levinson, 79. Frankly, I don’t like seeing Jews beat other Jews to death, and a very similar true-life “box or die” film about a Greek Jew in Auschwitz was made in 1989 — “Triumph of the Spirit.”

It’s not manna from heaven, but this Passover, provide something just as crucial to the survival of the Israeli people.

Whether it’s a missile attack, a new Covid variant, or serious car crash, your gift to Magen David Adom ensures its 30,000 emergency medical technicians and paramedics have the supplies and resources they need to save lives. So this Passover, while you recount the story of the Jews’ redemption from slavery, your gift will help modern-day Israelis survive the threats they face today. Make a gift to Magen David Adom today. Pesach kasher v’sameach.

afmda.org/passover

• • • • • • •

• Autoimmune Disease Treatment Advanced Cataract Surgery Clear Lens Exchange Surgery Vitamin D (Coimbra Protocol) Implantable Contact Lens Surgery • Facial Harmonization Dysport® Cornea Surgery Dry Eye Therapy Botox Cosmetic® Glaucoma Care and Surgery Facial Fillers LASIK PDO Threads

77 8TH STREET SOUTH • NAPLES, FL 34102 239.325.2015 • GINSBERGEYE.COM

Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

April 2022

Safta’s modern Old Charoset Recipe by Chef Dalia

hen Passover begins in a few weeks (first seder is Friday night, April 15), Jewish people around the world celebrate the freeing of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, several thousand years ago. The Jewish people left Egypt in such a hurry — I would, too, if Pharaoh’s army was running after me! — that they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. So, modernday Jews avoid bread and all yeast-raised products for eight days. Passover memories are some of my most cherished memories from childhood and, today, I continue to embrace religious customs that focus around family, culture and food. The seder tradition is something I’m passing down to my own children. This year, I hope my boys will be able to make it through all four questions! Growing up, my parents would host Seder in our home. Our friends and relatives would come over for a reading of the Hagaddah and the following festive meal. Every Passover, I would look forward to my Safta Dalia’s famous Moroccan charoset, which I thought was the greatest! Can we all agree that charoset is the best part of the Passover Seder? Okay, searching for the afikomen is pretty fun, and the kosher Passover chocolate cake for dessert is usually nice but, let’s be honest, when you’re two glasses of wine deep into a four-hour meal and all you’ve had to eat is some freshly dry matzo and celery, that sweet, spiced mixture of fruits and nuts is pretty mouthwatering. One of my favorite childhood memories from the Passover Seder was that first bite of the sweet charoset in the traditional Passover Seder. After patiently waiting through the entire telling of the full story of the Jews’ exodus from Egypt, that first bite always gave me hope that we were getting close to the real meal. For most American Jews, charoset hardly varies; the mixture is made with chopped apples, chopped walnuts, sweet Passover wine, a little honey and cinnamon. But for the Moroccan Jew, the traditional staple is entirely different. Moroccan

Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can be reached at daliahemed@msn.com. Jews know how to do food right — in the most festive and colorful way. So, it is only natural that the Moroccans would do the Seder right as well! And Safta Dalia’s Moroccan charoset definitely tastes different than other charosets and is amazingly good. The consistency is also different. While the apple and walnut version doesn’t much resemble a paste, Moroccan versions hold together much better. My Safta used to use prunes in her recipe, which really give it a much deeper taste than other charosets. But what really stands out in this recipe is that the delicious paste is made into balls rather than left as a spread. What doesn’t taste better bite-sized?! It was 40 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Every year, the evening before the Seder, my grandmother would go into the kitchen with huge quantities of dates and nuts, and with her old little grinder, prepare charoset in huge quantities. On the eve of the holiday, she would place a huge bowl full of charoset on the counter of her restaurant. All the residents from the neighborhood as well as her customers would come with glassware to fill with the delicious bites. What wonderful memories of the old days! Can you imagine? The recipe for charoset was her mother’s original recipe

CONCIERGE MOVING AND HOME PREPARATION SERVICE FOR STRESS-FREE TRANSITIONS WE DO AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WANT! ♥ Full, partial, multi-phase moves and remodeling projects ♥ Local, long distance and international ♥ We work with your movers, property managers, stagers, etc. ♥ Organize, pack/unpack and arrange your home for moving or showing ♥ Sort, downsize, remove trash, arrange sale of unwanted items ♥ Coordinate specialized freight, shipping and fine art moves ♥ Unpack and set up your floor plan for stress-free arrival

from Morocco (she must have improved it a bit with Israeli ingredients) and, years later, she gave me the recipe, which I modernized, too. And since then, Safta Dalia’s charoset appears on our Seder table as a guest of honor. In fact, the charoset is no longer a guest but a permanent tenant. My mom is a little unhappy because most of us prefer Safta’s charoset. It is sweeter, richer and makes us happy. I know, you’ll probably make your dad’s mom’s charoset this year, too, and maybe your grandmother’s charoset, because there is nothing like a family recipe that’s passed down from generation to generation. But, if you still want to broaden your horizons, I recommend this wonderful and modern charoset! This may not be the charoset

you are used to, but this recipe is so good and so easy to make, it’s “a little bit of heaven,” as described by my husband and, boy, is he right.

Chag Sameach!

There should be no whole nuts remaining (a mix of large chunks and small crumbs is preferable or finely ground nuts to roll the charoset into balls). Remove nuts from food processor and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. Add dates mixture to food processor and pulse until dates just begin to come together into a paste, 2 to 3, and 30-second pulses. Do not be afraid to over process (until smooth). 4. Transfer dates to mixing bowl and combine well with nuts. Stir in pomegranate juice and silan (date syrup) or honey. Serve at room temperature.

Ingredients • 1 cup grape juice or kosher wine (as Manischewitz) • 1½ cup pitted dates, preferably Medjool • ½ cup pitted prunes • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon • ½ tsp. salt • ½ cup pecan halves • ½ cup hazelnuts • 1 Tbsp. pomegranate juice • 3 Tbsp. silan (date syrup) or honey • 1 tsp. mint leaves • Finely ground nuts to roll the charoset balls into (optional) Directions 1. Bring juice/wine to a light simmer on medium heat, then stir in dried dates, prunes and cinnamon. Cook, uncovered, until dates are well hydrated and mixture has reduced to thick syrup, about 15 minutes. Add salt to taste and set aside. 2. In a food processor, roughly chop pecans and hazelnuts in short pulses.

Optional 5. To serve as charoset balls (1220 balls), take a piece of the mixture about the size of a large olive and roll into a ball. 6. Roll the ball in the ground nuts and set aside. 7. Continue with the remaining mixture until all has been used. To store, keep in a cool place, but don’t refrigerate. 8. Decorate with mint leaves.

Call or email us today! Naples Move Managers 239-860-3595

assist@NaplesMoveManagers.com

PREPARE-A-HOME SPECIALISTS

It’s more than just moving… let us help Locally owned and operated since 2010 Licensed, bonded and insured Background checked

We pride ourselves on bringing you the finest shopping experience you'll find anywhere. We are honored to be your neighborhood supermarket and give you the attention and personal service we're famous for! 141 Tamiami Trail North, Naples FL 34102 239-261-7157 | wynnsmarket.com

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

Naples community celebrates the land and people of Israel at local breakfast

n Wednesday, March 2, local community members gathered to support a bright, prosperous future for the land and people of Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s first-ever Breakfast for Israel in the region. Held at Artis—Naples, the in-person event featured Liel Leibovitz, Tablet Magazine’s editor-at-large and the co-host of “Unorthodox,” a leading Jewish podcast that offers listeners a fresh and fun take on Jewish news, ideas and culture. Leibovitz’s keynote speech addressed the rise of antisemitism and ways one can establish a meaningful and nurturing Jewish identity.

Attendees also learned about Jewish National Fund-USA’s “One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade,” which has seen the organization develop new communities, connect the next generation to Israel, and create infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, heritage site preservation and more. “I couldn’t be prouder of our work to help families in Israel’s Negev and Galilee regions find full, meaningful lives filled with endless opportunities,” said David Braverman, president of JNF-USA’s Naples board of directors. “If you’re a Zionist, if you love Israel, and if ensuring the future of a thriving Jewish homeland for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren is important to you, I implore you to learn more about JNF-USA’s incredible work in Israel.” For more information about Liel Leibovitz, editor-at-large, Tablet Jewish National Fund-USA or Magazine; Sue Bookbinder, member, to learn about future events in Jewish National Fund-USA Naples Naples, contact Joshua Mellits, Board of Directors; David Braverman, JNF-USA director, Western Florpresident, Jewish National Fund-USA ida at 941-462-1330 x865 or Naples Board of Directors jmellits@jnf.org.

April 2022

Federation Star

Dr. Brandon Kirsch: lawyer and dermatologist (by his mother’s decree)

There’s an old joke about a Jewish mother who is walking down the street with her two young sons. A passerby asks her how old the boys are. “The doctor is three,” the mother answers, “and the lawyer is two.” Well, my mom had just one son, so I had to be both!

In truth, I decided to become a doctor as a second career because I felt it was my calling. I founded Kirsch Dermatology as a boutique dermatology practice with the goal of recapturing the essence of medicine: thoughtful and compassionate care made available to everyone. It gives me so much joy to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the Naples community.

Shalom aleichem and hope to see you soon!

(239) 300-9767

Liel Leibovitz, editor-at-large, Tablet Magazine

Paula Filler; Estelle Price, member, Jewish National Fund-USA Naples Board of Directors; Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples; Stuart Price, member, Jewish National Fund-USA Naples Board of Directors; Robin Mintz; Susan Pittelman, Joel Pittelman

Federation Star

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

April 2022

Congregation welcomes hero of Surfside during FIDF Shabbaton A show of solidarity with IDF soldiers

elray Beach, Florida (March 1, 2022) Anshei Emuna Congregation and Friends of the IDF (FIDF) held a special Shabbaton last weekend that featured a commander who was a critical part of the elite Israeli delegation integral to the emergency effort during the Surfside search and rescue mission. The unique weekend program in Delray Beach was led by FIDF chief executive officer Rabbi Steven Weil. The Shabbaton at Anshei Emuna Congregation featured a kiddush lunch on Saturday, followed by a special lecture titled, “Faces of the IDF: Meet the IDF Heroes Confronting Israel’s Greatest Challenges.” Anshei Emuna welcomed Rabbi Weil and Major Ofir, who serves as the company commander for officers professionally training in the IDF Search and Rescue unit. Ofir is a “Chief of Staff’s Excellency Award” recipient and was part of the elite Israeli delegation that volunteered during the Surfside search and rescue mission. Throughout the mission, FIDF representatives and volunteers stepped up

and provided critical support to Major Ofir and the IDF Search and Rescue Unit, including new rescue equipment, kosher food, and more. FIDF provided the unit with the warm care of extended family while they were far from home. “Whether in Israel or abroad, we are proud to provide support during the most Major Ofir lectures to local students during the Shabbaton in Delray Beach. difficult humanitarPhoto credit: Courtesy of FIDF ian crises,” said Major Ofir. “Working with the local rescue forces purpose and life-changing support with Major Ofir, whose team made at Surfside was an incredible experience for IDF soldiers who protect Israel and priceless contributions in a time of crisis because we got to connect Jews worldwide. to the Jewish community at Surfside.” with one another and learn “FIDF is privileged to partner with the According to Rabbi Jack Engel, the from one another. We expeAnshei Emuna Congregation in building spiritual leader of Congregation Anshei rienced this tragedy together the future of the Jewish world and the Emuna, “Being a modern orthodox and we are thankful to the future of Israel,” said Rabbi Weil. “We synagogue goes hand in hand with supFIDF for caring for us during appreciate the emotional, financial and porting Israel and the IDF. We were our stay.” moral support that the South Palm Beach honored to welcome Rabbi Steven Weil FIDF offers educational, culand Broward communities invest toward of FIDF and Major Ofir to our comtural, recreational and social prothe education and welfare of the IDF solmunity to express our support for the grams and facilities that provide hope, diers. I was humbled to share the podium well-being of the soldiers.”

Up close interviews with soldiers protecting Israel’s tense Syrian-Jordanian border ‘FIDF LIVE’ 18th episode

ew York, NY (February 25, 2022) Tuesday’s episode of “FIDF LIVE,” a monthly program that is produced by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), featured up-close and personal interviews with the IDF Forces that protect Israeli civilians from tensions along the Israeli-Syrian-Jordanian border, known as the “Border Triangle.” The program, entitled “Israel’s Border Triangle with Syria and Jordan,” gave viewers the exclusive opportunity to get to know IDF first responders and learn how their various units deal with the

many threats aimed against them and Israel’s civilians. There are two states on Israel’s eastern border: Jordan, which maintains peaceful relations with Israel; and Syria, a country home to Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations that pose consistent threats to the State of Israel. While the Jordanian border is relatively peaceful, there are frequent riots and terror attack attempts in nearby Judea and Samaria. The episode began with a briefing from Lt. Avi, Liaison Officer at the Golan Heights, responsible for diplomatic and strategic relations between Israel, Jordan

Candle lighting times April 2: 7:26 p.m. (Eve of Seventh day Passover)

April 3: 8:19 p.m. (Eve of Eighth day Passover)

April 9: 7:29 p.m. April 16: 7:33 p.m. April 23: 7:36 p.m. April 30: 7:40 p.m.

Courtesy of FIDF and Syria as well as the U.N. in the Golan Heights. The program also featured soldiers who serve on Mt. Hermon, shedding light on its unique geographical position that provides a strategic asset to the State of Israel. Finally, viewers had the opportunity to learn about the cooperation between the U.N. and the IDF directly from the strategic players who protect Jordan and Israel’s holy assets. This episode also shared interviews with three Lone Soldiers from North America: Cpl. Yonah from Cedarhurst, New York, and Pvt. Zac from Canada, who both serve in the 401 Armored Corps Brigade; and Lt. Tova from San Diego, who serves in the 137 Iron Dome Battalion. The viewers also had the opportunity to meet Sgt. Omer, a Combat Soldier at the Nahal Brigade, Cpl. Michal, Field Observer at 595 Unit (which is adopted by FIDF WCT Chapter), SSGT. Dani, SSGT. Inbar and Pvt. Anava from the

Lions of the Jordan Valley Battalion, which is adopted by FIDF Palm Beach, FL Chapter. The FIDF LIVE platform, hosted by American stand-up comedian and author Joel Chasnoff, is a high-level production broadcast that provides an incredible virtual alternative to in-person experiences and brings awareness of FIDF’s cause and activities to a broader audience. By introducing content through this platform, the FIDF is keeping the community’s connection with Israel alive and thriving. FIDF has always been a bridge between Americans and Israelis, and this experience continues that tradition in a novel way, serving as the place for everyone who loves Israel and wants to stay connected. To watch the latest episode, go to https://www.fidf.org/fidflive/episode-18/. FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of offering educational, cultural, recreational and social programs and facilities that provide hope, purpose and life-changing support for the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews worldwide. For more information, please visit www.fidf.org.

COMMENTARY

April 2022

Federation Star

Passover reimagined Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD

he story we tell during the Passover Seder reminds us, repeatedly, that we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. Part of the celebration of the Seder is feeling pride that we broke the bonds of slavery to become a free people. It is imprinted within us to never enslave anyone and to take care of the stranger because we, too, know what it means to feel the degradation of being a slave/stranger. We hear about hunger, homelessness and oppression. We read, “This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt.” Yet, we function in a society where forms of slavery and treating strangers poorly are the norm. We sometimes pay it lip service; we sometimes rise to heightened

awareness of its existence; we even, sometimes, write letters to the proper authorities to create a civic awareness that some things need to change. And that, my friends, is the essence of Pesach. Change! In his book, “Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World,” Rabbi Harold Kushner tells us, “Change is unsettling; we crave the familiar. Our brains register serious discomfort when things aren’t what and where we expect them to be. It is a lot more efficient to be able to do things the way you have always done them, without having to think about it.” Like it or not, change is life’s only constant. As the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, put it more than a couple of millennia ago, “Nothing endures but change.” We live in an age of uncertainty and doubt. I find it fascinating and revealing that the question — one of unknowing — shares its origins with the distinct feelings of the Israelites throughout the Passover story. Imagine yourself in their situation, being told that they have to leave all they

knew and travel through an unknown desert, led by an individual they were not sure they trusted. Egypt was oppressive and scary. Facing a complete revolution of time and space feels dangerous and scary, too. They might have hesitated because it was scary. As a popular expression reminds us, “Better the devil you know then the devil you don’t know.” This year, when we relive the story of our own liberation, we can also think of how COVID has exacerbated so many of the inequalities facing vulnerable communities around the world, deepening the challenges of poverty, violence, discrimination and other afflictions. Passover needs to inspire us to take a more meaningful role in hastening freedom for women, girls, LGBTQI+ people, indigenous communities, religious and ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups around the world. The essential message of Passover is one of freedom and the will to persevere with faith against all odds. The story of the Exodus is a metaphor that is appreciated

by Jews and all people of faith. As “A Haggadah for Justice” says, “The Babylonian Talmud reminds us that it is imperative for us to take care of all in our community, even the poorest person, during Passover and throughout the year.” It is imperative for us to remember those who need a second chance. The Jews from Egypt who limped away from their captors, with them hot and heavy on their heels, looked to build a new society based on the values and ethics that were inherent to their souls. Crossing the Red Sea was scary, with the walls of water on either side keeping them alert, anxious and focused. They came through as a community. We, too, need to move forward as a community. A community where justice and equity, so sorely lacking today for so many, is the focus of our march so that it is possible to, indeed, live in a better, more honorable and just world. A zissen Pesach to all. Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD serves at Naples Jewish Congregation.

Later in its narrative, the Haggadah offers a second answer to Ma Nishtana. After the parable of the Four Sons, we read, “Mitchilah Avdei Avodah Zara Hayu Avoteinu (From the beginning, our ancestors were idolaters, but now Hamakom [God] has brought us close to Him to serve Him).” Here, the Haggadah focuses us on the spiritual nature of the experience. We were idolaters, distant from God. But God brought us close and allowed us the experience of worshipping Him, thereby redeeming us as spiritual beings. It is not by accident that the Haggadah, at this point, speaks of God using spiritual rather than physical imagery: Hamakom (“The Place”), a being that has no physical boundaries and, therefore, encompasses everywhere. A being that is wholly spiritual. Our distance from God was a spiritual distance, our suffering was spiritual suffering, and God, forever empathizing with his People Israel, acted spiritually to redeem us. These two perspectives on God’s redemption of the Jewish people exist in the Haggadah side by side, but independent of one another. Each follows the Mishnah’s dictum to speak of our humble beginnings and of the glory to which God has brought us; but each does so according to a different understanding of redemption, physical or spiritual. The parable of the Four Sons suggests that the two perspectives are included in the Haggadah because each speaks to a different set of “sons.” For some, physical suffering and the need for worldly redemption is paramount. The importance of the Exodus lies in the promise that it holds for ending all human suffering. The only meaningful answer to the night’s question is that of Avadim Hayinu, we were slaves. For others, spiritual distance from God is the ultimate exile. The Exodus is important for the promise it holds that

God reaches out to us and that we can reach back. For these, the only meaningful answer is that of Mitchilah Avdei Avodah Zara Hayu Avoteinu. Offered together, the two perspectives provide a vision of redemption that allows Jews of all persuasions to sit

together and proclaim, “Baruch Hamakom Baruch Hu (Blessed be the Place [God], Blessed be He).” Blessings to all for a joyful and meaningful Passover. Rabbi Ammos Chorny ser ves at Beth Tikvah.

Redemption Rabbi Ammos Chorny

he Passover Haggadah offers not one, but two answers to the perennial question, “Ma Nishtanah Halayla Hazeh (Why is this night different from all other nights?)” Immediately following the four questions, we read, “Avadim hayinu l’pharoh b’mitzrayim (We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt),” focusing us on the physicality of the experience in Egypt. We slaved for Pharaoh bodily; we suffered physically, and God redeemed us. It is not by accident that the Haggadah, at this point, uses strong physical imagery in invoking God’s role in the Exodus: “…and the Eternal our God brought us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” Our experience was a physical experience; our suffering was bodily suffering; and God, forever empathizing with his People Israel, used physical means to redeem us. The Haggadah goes on to tell us, “Had the Holy One Blessed Be He not brought our ancestors out of Egypt, we and our descendants would still be enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt.” As explained by Maharal, God’s redemption of our ancestors from their suffering in Egypt holds in it the promise of redemption from all current and future suffering. We suffered and, by redeeming us, God demonstrated that it is possible to end suffering. In doing so, He provided a model for us to emulate, acting to redeem all who suffer. Had God not redeemed us, we would not have known that it is possible to act to end suffering and “we and our children and our children’s children would still be slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt.”

Federation Star

COMMENTARY

April 2022

Just how free are we? Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

hat’s the big deal about the Passover story? Why will millions of Jewish families be sitting around the Seder table, yet again, telling the same story? Sadly, history seems to be repeating itself as we shudder to contemplate possible global repercussions of the war in Ukraine while thousands of refugees flee from their homes in fear of death. Is that why we are still making a whole to-do about an exodus story that is more ancient than the civilizations of Rome and Greece? Our sages teach us that the Passover story is not ‘ancient his-story.’ Instead,

it is our story as we fight to break out of our enslavement. Enslavement to what? Aren’t we the freest people in history, living in the freest country? Let’s look at a few examples of how enslavement and freedom can be seen in our lives. Perhaps our enslavement to bad habits and addictions keeps us away from the people we love and helps us avoid dealing with our inner pain and find healing. Perhaps our enslavement to jealousy and belittling the other is an escape from focusing on our weaknesses. Perhaps our enslavement to others’ opinions of us never allows us to soar and truly realize our G-d-given potential as we try to get validation from others struggling with their sense of self. Perhaps our enslavement to materialism and consumerism keeps us focusing on ourselves rather than seeing the other. Perhaps our enslavement to the perspective, ‘If I cannot see it, then it does

You deserve the care of a Real Estate Specialist.

not exist,’ clouds the eyes from seeing the spirituality and miracles all around us; seeing the hand of the Creator is in everyone and everything. Perhaps our enslavement to the ideas of others keeps us from thinking for ourselves. True freedom is when we allow ourselves to search for the truth rather than letting ourselves be influenced by the ideas of others. No, the enslavers are not ancient Egyptians, and the taskmasters are not beating us in the steaming desert, but the enslavement mindset is there. Indeed, it never left. One person could be physically free but mentally enslaved, while another could be physically locked up in prison but mentally free. Think of Natan Sharansky, Yosef Mendelevitch and other famous prisoners of the Soviet Union, who showed the power of their mind and independence while living in unimaginable physical torment. Think of the millions of people in Ukraine. It is both frightening and mind-boggling to observe their courage as we might ask ourselves if we would be

willing to sacrifice everything, including our lives, in order to remain free. Freedom is a state of mind. Maintaining this mindset is their only option. This may be a difficult concept for us, as we live at a distance in relative safety, but it is also a harsh reminder of what we have and to be thankful for. It suggests that we ask ourselves if we have the mindset of liberty. Are we exercising our own free choice, which is the ultimate expression of freedom, or are we allowing ourselves to be enslaved to impulses, thoughts and behaviors against our better judgment? At the Pesach Seder this year, retelling the Exodus story, our stage is different, but the play is the same. Let’s improve the story, giving it a swift happy ending: Ukrainian refugees are reunited safely in their rebuilt homeland, a safe haven, where they, too, can live in freedom. Let’s shower them with blessings and prayers that this becomes not just an imagined fairy tale, but a reality. Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad Jewish Center of Naples.

DEBORAH ZVIBLEMAN REALTOR® | PA

Stand up and be counted Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross

Past President of Temple Shalom and Federation Member since 1998. 10% of my net commission will be donated to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in your honor.

Deborah Zvibleman, PA

ABR, AHWD, CIPS, CLHMS, PMN, RSPS, SRES, SFR,TRC

DZvibleman@johnrwood.com

239.272.8878 DebbieSellsYourHome4You.com

Are you in your forties or fifties, single and Jewish? Sign up now by emailing: rbialek@jewishnaples.org to meet other Jewish Singles

Read our weekly eblast to learn when the next activity will be.

OF GREATER NAPLES

eoples’ names are a conundrum. I’m Mark, with a “k,” but a lot of northeasterners insist on writing it with a “c.” It’s the same for my wife, Carol, whose name most folks persist in writing as “Carole,” French-style — possibly the consequence of so many Jews from New York being just down the road from Quebec. And three out of five people hearing me introduced as “Gross,” by some strange Pavlovian reflex, repeat it as “Grossman.” Seriously, the question of namechanging matters immensely to Jews. Even in antiquity, acculturation by our cosmopolitan people led to many Jews adopting “outside” names. Case in point, the second Hasmonean king who ruled Israel 2,100 years ago was a Jew born YoNatan and nicknamed Yannai, whose Maccabean family had struggled against Hellenic culture and, yet, was known throughout his realm in Greek as Alexander Jannaeus. This phenomenon grew exponentially over the ensuing ages, after the global dispersal of the Jews following the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century. The 12th-century Egyptian philosopherphysician Moses Maimonides was Moshe in the synagogue, but Mussa in the street. The 13th-century Iberian rabbi, revered as Moshe ben-Nachman, was known to his Catalan neighbors as Bonastruc ça Porta. And in 17th-century Amsterdam, Portuguese philosopher Baruch de Spinoza was generally referred to by the Latin translation of his name, Benedict. Our “everyday” names tend to reflect a comfortable accommodation to the

numerous cultural settings in which we have found ourselves. Jews with Arabic names, like Bahya; Persian names, such as Daryush; and Russian names, like Natalya, are all Jews. And we all have Hebrew spirit-names that serve as our credentials in the Jewish world. (Mine is Mordechai, as an active memorialization of my dad’s grandfather, from which my “street name” Mark was reverse engineered as an incidental add-on after the fact because it started with the corresponding consonant and happened to be in vogue at the time that I made my début). And yet, there is an uncomfortable level at which our Hebrew names have not only come second but have been kept submerged. Even our “street” names and family names have sometimes been suppressed in the interests of expediency. As author Dara Horn notes, early in the 20th century, “new Americans, living in what they hoped was the first place in centuries where their families could enjoy full and free lives, soon discovered that when they applied for a job as Rosenberg no one would hire them, but when they applied as Rose, everyone would.” Hollywood performers, Winona Ryder and Tony Curtis, are desirable and exciting; Winona Horowitz and Bernie Schwartz — not so much. How far down do we submerge ourselves in the interests of expediency? How much of ourselves can we hide away without losing ourselves in the process? This month, we commemorate the birth of the Jewish people through the Exodus from Egypt. An important teaching of our tradition is that our long-ago forebearers merited God’s redemption from Pharaoh’s brick pits because, in spite of their generations of suffering and oppression, they proudly retained their identity and never changed their names. It was Jacob’s children, Reuven, Shim’on, Leivi and Judah, who came continued on page 9A

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

April 2022

Federation Star

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

www.marcojcmi.com / 239.642.0800

April is more than just April Fool’s Day By Sue Baum, JCMI president

n April, JCMI continues to offer its meaningful religious programs: • Shabbat Services are conducted every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Mark Gross, Cantorial Soloist Hari Jacobson and accompanist Dr. Ron Doiron. • Torah Study takes place at 9:30 a.m. in the Meer Room, offering an in-depth learning experience. The highlight of the month is the celebration of Passover. The Synagogue has conducted Seder virtually during COVID. But on Friday, April 15, 2022, the first night of Seder will be celebrated at the Synagogue once again. Actually, the word April means “to open.”

This is an important moment for our congregants. We thank the task force for cautiously guiding members through COVID as we reopen for this important religious festival. It is interesting to note that historical records of JCMI indicate that the First Seder celebrated by the newly formed Jewish founders took place prior to the opening of the Temple building at the invitation of our good neighbor, San Marco Catholic Church. We are one community — so important. To all our congregants who are present in the area on April 15, let us gather as a family and celebrate Passover.

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239.431.3858

Study, prayer, assembly Charles Flum President

aples Jewish Congregation (NJC) has resumed in-person services at the Unitarian Universalist church (UU) in Naples. We are in the process of ramping up our programs that had been curtailed by COVID. The sisterhood is having regular get-togethers, such as a visit to the Shangri-La spa and gardens in March. Our adult education courses, led by Rabbi Herman, are ongoing. Our unique Flamingle is a congregational get-together to learn more about each other. Participation numbers are down in organizations of all types. To try to remedy that situation in our synagogue, the president recently sent out the following to the congregation: There are three names in Hebrew for synagogue: Beit Midrash (house of study), Beit Tefillah (house of prayer) and Beit Kenesset (house of assembly). NJC is all three, if we all make it so. Let’s look at each of these in relation to our shul. Beit Midrash (house of study). At this time, we have only one program for study, Rabbi Herman’s adult education. He

works hard to find and prepare talks on interesting subjects. We hold these on Zoom at the current time to 1.) be safe and 2.) make it easy to attend. How many and how often have you attended? I urge you to tune in and learn something new. According to research, one way to keep your brain from atrophying is to learn new information. Beit Tefillah (house of prayer). We hold services to have a communal way of praying to God. Yes, we can pray by ourselves, but there is something very comforting in praying the same prayers with other people. You can only do that by coming to services, now held in person at the UU. Beit Kenesset (house of assembly). The first time we held an in-person service after being on Zoom for a while, quite a number of people expressed how nice it was to be able to see other people in the flesh. Humans are social animals. We need to schmooze with others. We need to be with others. All this is my way of saying, “Come to services.” You belong because you decided to belong and pay dues. Get the most out of your commitment. Come to services. Come to adult education. Come to the various programs as we slowly return to “normal.” Your Yiddish neshoma (Jewish soul) will thank you for feeding it. Check us out at naplesjewish congregation.org. Then, come join us for Tefillah (prayer) at our Friday night services at 7 p.m. at UU. Welcome to the small temple with the big heart.

enjoyable stories

forfor the whole the whole Professionally family family curated, enjoyable stories for the whole Professionally Professionally family curated, curated, enjoyable stories enjoyable stories for the whole for the whole family family

Sign today pjlibrary.org HELP US Sign up upPLEASE today at at pjlibrary.org

BUILD COMMUNITY!

stand up...continued from page 8A down to Egypt; 400 years later, in the census at the foot of Mount Sinai, it was the Tribes of Reuven, Shim’on, Leivi and Judah who stood up to be counted. May this season of liberation be a time to stand up and be counted; to identify in

Send your kids FREE Send your kids FREE Jewish books! Jewish Send yourbooks! kids FREE Jewish books! Send your kids FREE Send your kids FREE Professionally Professionally Jewish books! curated, curated, Jewish books! enjoyable stories

terms of who we truly are; to share with our children the noble story of our people; and to say our names out loud. Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross serves at Jewish Congregation of Marco Island.

Publishing the Federation Star would not be possible without our advertisers. Please patronize our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in the Federation Star.

10A

Federation Star

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

April 2022

BETH TIKVAH

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239.434.1818

Passover memories Steven Chizzik President

assover has always been the favorite Jewish holiday for my wife and me, even though it always entailed so much work. Each year, as the weeks leading up to Passover started getting closer, I could sense the pressure of hosting 30 people for two nights starting to build. Our introduction to a Seder began in our first year of marriage, when my wife’s “Nanny” came to our apartment

to “teach” Gayle how to make gefilte fish from scratch (yes, she brought whole fish and threw them in the bathtub). She also taught her how to make chopped liver (many pounds of it!), mashed potatoes with fried onions, chicken soup and a whole host of side dishes. This tradition went on every year until we moved to Florida four years ago. As a child, I remember shlepping huge boxes of my mother’s, as well as my grandmother’s, Passover dishes and boxes of pots and pans from the basement bin to their respective second floor apartments. Passover in our family, as in most Jews families, is the holiday that gets ingrained and passed from generation to generation.

AN EGALITARIAN PROGRESSIVE CONGREGATION MEMBER OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

As the Passover Haggadah clearly states, “B’chol Dor VaDor” (in every generation). We read, in the telling of the Passover story, that we must “see ourselves” as if we, personally, were taken out of Egypt. Even though the exodus from Egypt is a specific historical event, we must envision it as a cyclical experience, repeating each year. Each Jewish family might use a slightly different Haggadah and tell the story in a slightly different manner; however, the essence is the same. In addition to the traditional Haggadah, we supplemented our Seder with the picture books and all the song sheets our boys made while at the JCC for nursery school (the same colored Passover books and song sheets were used for over 35 years). I know each person reading this has a similar story. We actually hosted four generations in our home. It is so appropriate that the Yizkor prayers are recited on the last day of Passover as we as Jews always continue to remember all those family members and friends that I’m sure celebrated Passover Seders with us. A Zeisen Pesach to everyone!

Join us!

FREE FIRST YEAR DUES

for

I, again, would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now offering new

Sunday, April 3 at 11 a.m. – Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study Friday, April 15 at 6:15 p.m. – Erev Passover First Seder at Beth Tikvah. Please check the website for details.

Religious services

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. via Zoom • Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and on Zoom • Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom • We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.

-40 year

olds!

The Jewish Young Professionals of Greater Naples invite you to come socialize! Please email or call Renee’ to be added to the roster. rbialek@jewishnaples.org 239-263-4205

JOIN US TODAY AT 1 4 59 PINE RIDG E RO A D , N APL E S , F L BethTikvahNaples.org

April Beth Tikvah happenings

Jewish 20

ALL NEW MEMBERS!

239.434.1818

members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you, or a friend, wish to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us. Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Jewish Young Professionals

Activities include: • Happy Hour We wa • Game Night n y our su t to hear • Movie Night g and id gestions • Shabbat Services e upcom as for • Volunteering ing ev ents! • Holiday Parties • Zoom Meet & Greets • and more! OF GREATER NAPLES

Federation Star Publication Policy The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of JFGN. Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of Federation as well as ongoing activities of recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples. The goal of JFGN is to reach out and unite all Jews of the Greater Naples area. While differing opinions and points of view exist on many issues of importance to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing only items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and oﬀer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose.

Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will not be published. To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among our people, the Oﬃcers and Board of Trustees of Federation have adopted the following publication policy: Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the advertising

manager, subject to the approval of the Federation board. Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairs) of established and recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and the designated chairs of the regular committees of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from established Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and may, at the discretion of the Federation board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above.

News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross section of the Jewish community will be accepted for publication. Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view about political issues will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Oﬃcers and Trustees. All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chair shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Oﬃcers and Board of Trustees of JFGN.

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455.3030  Fax: 455.4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller, MAHL Cantor Donna Azu, MSM Rabbi Ariel Boxman, MAHL, MARE, Director of Lifelong Learning Rabbi James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Deborah Rosen Fidel, J.D., MAJPS, Executive Director Daryl Sissman, President Jim Cochran, Music Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m. Sisterhood Men’s Club Adult Education Havurot Youth Groups Religious School Judaic Library Hebrew School Preschool Adult Choir Social Action Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262.4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Education Director Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m. Camp Gan Israel Hebrew School Preschool of the Arts Jewish Women’s Circle Adult Education Bat Mitzvah Club Friendship Circle Smile on Seniors Flying Challah Kosher food delivery

CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO 24611 Production Circle Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Phone: 239-949-6900 Email: chabad@jewishbonita.com Website: www.JewishBonita.com

April 2022 JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND (Reform) 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: 642.0800  Fax: 642.1031 Email: tboxma@marcojcmi.com Website: www.marcojcmi.com Rabbi Mark Gross Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Sue Baum, President

Federation Star

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

BETH TIKVAH

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Howard Herman 431.3858 Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

(Reform)

Charles Flum, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

Shabbat Services Friday 7:30 p.m. Seasonal: Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m.

Shabbat Services Friday evenings 7 p.m. May - August: services once a month

Rabbi’s Lifelong Learning Series Sidney R. Hoﬀman Jewish Film Festival Saul I. Stern Cultural Series JCMI Book Club

Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

In one way or another, your life is rooted in experiences that connect you to the Jewish Community. If you are currently supporting charitable organizations and want to continue to do so more effectively, let us know.

We make giving easier!

HELPING INDIVIDUAL DONORS WITH THEIR CHARITABLE GIVING Our unique approach:

11A

(Conservative)

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Phone: 434.1818 Email: oﬃce@bethtikvah.us Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org Rabbi Ammos Chorny Steve Chizzik, President Roberta Miller, Secretary Shabbat Services Friday evenings 6:15 p.m. Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m. Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Greater Naples (All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Phone: 263.4205  Fax: 263.3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation Board Chair: Jane Schiﬀ • Federation President/CEO: Jeﬀrey Feld

American Jewish Committee

Regional Dir: Brian Lipton, 941.365.4955

American Technion Society

Chapter Dir: Kelley Whiter, 561.395.7206

Friends of the IDF Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305.354.8233

Strict anti-terror, antiBDS, & pro-Israel investment policy

The community foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Exceptional service & creative philanthropic solutions Ellen Weiss Executive Director ellen@topjewishfoundation.org 813-769-4785 Marcy Friedland Planned Giving Director mfriedland@jewishnaples.org 239-263-4205

www.topjewishfoundation.org

GenShoah SWFL 263.9200

Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah President: Joyce Toub, 518.330.1559

Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Chairperson: Stuart Price President/CEO: Susan Suarez, 263.9200

Israel Bonds

Monica DiGiovanni, 727.282.1124

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida President: Marina Berkovich, 566.1771

Jewish National Fund

Joshua Mellits, 941.462.1330 x865

Jewish War Veterans Post 202 Commander, Harvey Sturm, 261.3270

The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Men’s Cultural Alliance President: Les Nizin, 653.9259

Naples BBYO

Rabbi Mendy & Luba Greenberg Co-directors

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109-0613

Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. Shabbat 10 a.m.

Phone: 239.263.4205 • Fax: 239.263.3813 E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org • Website: www.jewishnaples.org

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA)

Volume 31, No. 8 • April 2022 • 36 pages USPS Permit No. 1101

Naples Senior Center at JFCS

Adult Education Challah of Love Community Events Daily Minyan Services Hebrew School Kosher Grocery Kosher Meals on Wheels Smile on Seniors

Publisher: Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Editor: Sharon Hood • 239.591.2709 • sharon@marketcrank.com Design: MarketCrank, Inc. Advertising: Joy Walker • 941.284.0520 May 2022 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: March 31 • Advertising: April 7 Send news stories to: sharon@marketcrank.com

Jessica Zimmerman, 263.4205

SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954.457.9766 Phone: 325.4444 Chairperson: Prentiss Higgins President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faﬀer

Women’s Cultural Alliance

President: Patti Boochever, 518.852.3440

Zionist Organization of America President: Jerry Sobel, 914.329.1024

12A

Federation Star

April 2022

Wishing you a happy Passover. Looking for recipes? Find Kosher for Passover favorites at publix.com/passover.

Federation Star - April 2022

Articles inside

Passover memories

Study, prayer, assembly

April is more than just April Fool’s Day

Stand up and be counted

Just how free are we?

Redemption

Passover reimagined

Up close interviews with soldiers protecting Israel’s tense Syrian-Jordanian border

Congregation welcomes hero of Surfside during FIDF Shabbaton

Naples community celebrates the land and people of Israel at local breakfast

Safta’s modern Old Charoset

Broadway dreams, two action flicks, Auschwitz gladiators

How Christians saved Passover for south Italy’s secret Jews

Chad Gadya — why a goat?

Our children and the community around them