Federation Star - April 2023

wishes you a very

Annual community campaign

Jewish together builds our future Marcy Friedland FRD Director

We held our annual end-of-year Power of Community Celebration brunch on March 12 at our new building. The Human Needs, Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership, Power of Community and Stand Up for Justice awards were presented. We also celebrated where we are in our Annual Community Campaign as well as accomplishments for the year.

continued on page 3

Israel Scouts Returning to Naples The Israel Scouts Caravan (Tzofim) is returning to Greater Naples

Schiff Hall at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Jeffrey Feld, JFGN President/CEO and Jan Schiff, JFGN Board Chair

Thank you

In 2013, my husband’s health was deteriorating and it was obvious that another winter in Atlanta (even though the winters are not severe) was not in his best interest, so we picked up and moved to Bonita Springs. We knew one couple. We also knew that they had a very established life here that would not include us, except occasionally. My husband was ill and limited in what activities he could handle; I was in perfect health. I don’t like the sun, I don’t play golf, I don’t play card games and I had no interest in working full time, but I have always been interested in Jewish communal life. I grew up knowing and being involved in Federation, synagogue life and many other Jewish organizations including NCJW, ORT, AJC, JCPA, JFNA and the Breman Museum (the Atlanta Holocaust Museum).

So, when we moved here, I wanted to use my talents and knowledge in the area I felt comfortable. And now, 10 years later, I am writing an article in the Federation Star to thank each and every one of you for welcoming me and allowing me to become a part of the history of the Jewish community of Naples.

Being board chair of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples truly ful lled a

lifelong dream of making a di erence in the Jewish community and its relationship to the greater community. If our Jewish community is strong and vibrant, we are able to openly and positively show that Jews enhance and enliven the greater community.

e Jewish community of Naples and its surrounding area is growing by leaps and bounds. In a few years, we will most likely do another demographic/needs assessment study and nd out exactly how much growth has occurred. But, certainly, in numbers of WCA and MCA members, we know there is growth. And Naples is starting to attract a somewhat younger demographic since working from home has normalized after the pandemic.

In the years since I have been in this area, Federation has doubled its Annual Campaign. We are one of the few, if not the only, Federation in the national system that has been able to accomplish this feat. Why? Because of you. You moved here, you realized there are needs, and you joined us to take care of the needs of Jews in Naples and around the world.

e needs in our local community are growing, just as the community grows. More students need help to afford a Jewish education; more Holocaust survivors move here; hurricanes cause needs; and the list goes on. You stepped up when we asked.

Other communities ask how we are increasing our campaign while so many communities are experiencing declining campaigns. e answer is: We are where

the community is growing and, as always, Jews step up to take care of other Jews. at is what makes this work so rewarding and gives me such joy. I am so proud to be a part of this community at this time in its development.

e Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center was a six-year project. It was a dream, and it took an amazing team to make it a reality. I am and will remain extremely proud that I was a part of the team that brought it to life. From the foundation of the strategic plan and the demographic/needs assessment study to all the nal details for the building, without each and every aspect and each and every person in all those committees — all the workers, all the sta of Federation and every company that had even a nger in the project — what we have would not have been.

I have heard over and over, from so many of you and almost every visitor, that the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center exceeds expectations. And, from my point of view, the only thing I wanted to achieve was a place where people would want to gather, feel comfortable and utilize. Week four of being open saw about 1,000 people come through the doors. at is success! Every day the building is used by multiple groups for various activities. at also is success! I come in and look at the board to see what is happening in the building that day, and my heart lls with pride. I feel I made a di erence. When gentile friends and community members stop me to say how thrilled they are that we are here and they are using the building as well, I know the building was worth all the e ort.

e best part of being board chair for me was meeting and working with so many of you. e shared vision, the exceptional work ethic and the camaraderie has made these years the best “work” experience of my life. While I am hesitant to start naming names, as I know I would forget so many, I must single out the close working relationship that I have had with Je rey Feld throughout the six years. My favorite Je rey story is: One day, about six months ago, we finished a conversation, for which I have no recall about its content, and hung up. About 10 minutes later, the phone rang. It was Je rey. He immediately said, “Oops, I called the wrong wife, I didn’t need to talk to my work wife again.” We have worked hand in glove. He has been a wonderful partner in growing the Jewish community. at was his goal when he moved here, and I was happy to sign on to that goal. In conclusion (the two best words in any speech or article), I want to say that these six years have given me more than I gave to the organization. It has given me pride, a sense of belonging, great friends and a personal sense of accomplishment. ese have been interesting, challenging and rewarding years. I greatly appreciate the opportunity Jewish Federation of Greater Naples gave me.

I know Federation is in good hands with the new Board Chair, Nat Ritter, who is capable, smart, caring and has been super involved in getting the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center up and running. I plan to continue to see if I can be helpful going forward as I do whatever I can to help Ritter and the new board move from strength to strength.

THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS

is 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

AFMDA..................................9

Anago Cleaning Systems.................6

Beth Tikvah............................18 & 9A

Carlisle Naples, e.........................13

Casual Connection.........................10

Chellie Doepke, Premiere Plus Realty..10A

Deborah Zvibleman, John R. Wood....6

Focus Floral..................................10A

Fuller Funeral Home......................8

Ginsberg Eye.............................13A

Henderson, Franklin.........................15

Hodges Funeral Home....................9A

Holocaust Museum..........................14

JCMI......................................4A

James Knafo Architect & Builder.....2

Katz New York Deli...........................4A

Kaye Lifestyle Homes.....................5

Kotler Law Firm, P.L......................12A

MCA.................................11 & 8A

Moorings Park...............................7

Naples Community Orchestra.........2A

Naples Envelope & Printing Co....15A

Naples Jewish Congregation..........6A

Publix...................................20A

Senior Housing Solutions...............19

Siena Lakes.....................................17

Temple Shalom................................2A

eatreZone................................1A

Truly Nolen.................................20

WCA........................................3A

Wollman, Gehrke & Assoc.....19 & 11A

Wynn’s Market..............................10

Jane Schiff Federation Board Chair

annual community campaign...continued from page 1

Even though our Power of Community Celebration is in March, our actual scal year is from July 1 through June 30. With that in mind, we still have work to accomplish in raising the Annual Community Campaign dollars needed.

is year’s goal is $1.6 million, and we have two months left, with your help and donations, to reach it.

Our Passover appeal letter with pledge cards were mailed out and you should have received yours by March 29. Please ll it

Stand Up for Justice Award Winners

out and return it to us before June 30. Our volunteer solicitors have been busy making calls to ask for your annual gift or pledge and to thank donors who have already given.

As another wonderful season is drawing to a close, don’t forget to make your

annual gift or pledge to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. We thank you for your continued support and will be busy working on next year’s exciting programming and events!

Human Needs Award winners

JFGN’s Jeffrey Feld with Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award Winners Rett Kelley and Hailey Hinchliffe. (Not pictured is Jacob Samuel)

Brandy Williams

Yadit Munoz and Dolores Siok from Café of Life

Ken Goldstein, Human Needs Committee member

Power of Community Award Winner Irv Povlow

Liz Jaffe, Stand Up for Justice Committee Chair

Susan Bobrow

Camiria Jones, Ph.D. (Not pictured is Jamie Flatley)

Alyssa Haney from Sage House

Beth Povlow, Human Needs Committee Chair

Pamela Schram

Annual Meeting and Election of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Board Members and Officers

By e JFGN Nominating Committee

The Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples will be held on Monday, April 10, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Schi Social Hall at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. At that time, the election of board members and o cers of the Federation will be conducted.

e nominating committee, chaired by Alvin Becker, met and is recommending the following slate.

Board members who will be completing a second year of a two-year term include Paula Filler, Cheryl Ginsburg, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Elliot Lerner, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Nat Ritter, Michael Rubinstein, Marc Saperstein and Je Zalasky.

Welcome guests to our new center with a brick paver

By Marcy Friedland, Financial Resource Development Director

Would you like to add your name to a brick paver as a welcome to guests visiting our new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center?

Contact me at mfriedland@jewishnaples. org or 239-263-4205.

BRICK PAVER ORDER FORM

Donor Information

Board Members being nominated for a two-year term to be completed in 2025 include Frank Baum, Alvin Becker, Myra Benedict, Rosalee Bogo, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Steve Iser, Jane Schi , Arlene Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss and Beth Wol .

e nominating committee also recommends the following people be elected as o cers for a one-year term: Board Chair – Nat Ritter

Vice Chairs – Marc Saperstein, Arlene Sobol and Beth Wol

Secretary – Rosalee Bogo

Treasurer – Steve Strome

Immediate Past Chair – Jane Schi e nominating committee includes Alvin Becker, chair; Amanda Dorio, vice chair; Larry Israelite; Robin Mintz; Nat Ritter; Marc Saperstein; Jane Schi ; and Je rey Feld.

JOIN US

JFGN Annual Meeting and Election of Board Members and Officers

When: Monday, April 10, beginning at 7 p.m. Where: Schiff Social Hall at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center Please plan to attend!

4720 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

Phone: 239.263.4205

Fax: 239.263.3813

www.jewishnaples.org

Email: info@jewishnaples.org

O cers

Board Chair: Jane Schi

Vice Chairs: Nat Ritter, Marc Saperstein, Beth Wol

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, Cheryl Ginsburg, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Michael Rubenstein, Michael Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss, Je 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

Stan Alliker, Cantor Donna Azu, 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, Len Teitelbaum, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Sta

Je rey Feld: Federation President & CEO

Eduardo Avila: Campaign Associate

Reneé Bialek: Program Director

Michelle Cunningham: Receptionist

Courtney DeVault: Accounting Manager

Alicia Feldman: PJ Library Coordinator

Marcy Friedland: Financial Resource

Development Director

Janine Hudak: Admin. Coordinator

Phil Zoltek: Facility Manager

Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Donation Amount (S) ______________________________________________________________________________________

Make your check payable to JFGN and send it, with this completed form, to: JFGN, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119. Indicate how you want your engraved brick to read, using the grid below for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. Each row counts as one line of text, only use the amount of lines speci ed below for your brick.

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)

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 Community Campaign

• 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

• Singles Social Group

• Women’s Cultural Alliance

• Women’s Philanthropy

• Youth Activities Committee –sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and Israel Experience

Women’s philanthropy luncheon

By Rosalee Bogo, Chair, Women’s Philanthropy

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ Women of Philanthropy was on full exhibit at the luncheon gathering in the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center on Feb. 22. e women celebrated the fact that that they make such a di erence in Federation’s Annual Community Campaign. ese women engage in the ful lling work of making the world a better place by making donations and contributing hands-on community service. ese women are building and supporting Jewish life for today and for generations to come.

Our Pomegranates, who are our donors of $1,800 and above, and our Lions of Judah, who are donors of $5,000 and above, were recognized. In our community, we have 64 Pomegranates and 83 Lions of Judah. Peggy Brown is the chair of the Pomegranates, and Estelle Price and Gail Smith are Lion of Judah chairs. I am the chair of the Women of Philanthropy.

The Greater Naples area suffered much damage from Hurricane Ian. e community came together and donated funds to help those who su ered severe damage. At that time, much of the money was given to Baker Senior Center Naples to help those in need. Federation Board Chair Jane Schi introduced Dr. Jaclynn Fa er, president/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples, as guest speaker at the luncheon. Dr. Fa er described how the money was spent to help seniors and

others. Money from our Annual Community Campaign is allocated each year to Baker Senior Center Naples for speci c programing and to help the Holocaust survivors in our community. Closing remarks were given by JFGN President/ CEO Je rey Feld.

Later in the season, these dynamic women will come together again for their annual Community Service Project, working together to improve the lives of others while enriching their own lives through philanthropy.

Gale Smith and Estelle Price, Lions of Judah Chairs

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, Baker Senior Center Naples President, CEO

Peggy Brown, Pomegranate Society Chair

Rosalee Bogo, Women’s Philanthropy Chair, and Jane Perman

Federation events

Reneé Bialek Program Director

Join us for any and all of these events.

Community-wide Yom HaShoah

Everyone is invited to join us Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. for the Communitywide Yom HaShoah program. Rabbis and other clergy will participate in a brief service, along with Holocaust survivors and GenShoah members who will light candles and read some passages. is service will be followed by Gulfshore Playhouse’s

“REMEMBER: e Story of Abe Price” by Je rey Binder. is immersive, challenging and captivating story of resilience brings us into one man’s memories and asks us to never forget. Seats are limited, so please register for this free program at www.jewishnaples.org.

Israel Friendship Caravan

e Israel Friendship Caravan is coming to Naples on June 20. e 10 Israeli teens will be performing at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at 7 p.m. Registration for this free program will be available soon. Would you like to host one or two teens? If so, please email me at rbialek@ jewishnaples.org.

Gratitude and thanks

ank you to our wonderful community

who turned out to celebrate with us at the Celebrate Israel @ 75 event! Please thank our Friends of Israel listed in this issue.

ank you to Harvey Cohen and Myra Benedikt, co-chairs of the Israel Advocacy Committee, along with the chairs of the event, Tracy and Michael Askotzky and Cathy and Phil Zacks.

ank you to the Jewish Book Festival sponsors and patrons for your support. And a huge thank you to Gayle Dorio, who has chaired the JBF for the last two years.

Next month, a few of us will attend the Jewish Book Council conference and start to plan next season’s Jewish Book Festival. Please visit www.jewishbookfestival.org as we update the page with information.

Registration

Please register for all events at

www.jewishnaples.org. Dates and times of upcoming events are announced on our website homepage. If you aren’t receiving our weekly Monday e-blast, please email me at rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Registration is required to receive Zoom links, which are emailed two hours prior to the start of each event.

We have a variety of groups and committees at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, such as PJ Library, Jewish Families with Young Children, Singles Social Group, Cardozo Legal Society, CatholicJewish Dialogue, Israel Advocacy Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council. Please join the group and/or committee that best ts your interests. A taste of each one can be found on our website at www.jewishnaples.org.

Weight loss starts with what you put in your mind, not your mouth

By Diane Lynn, Certi ed Weight Loss Coach

Have you ever thought about your thoughts? We each have about 60,000 thoughts per day and were never taught to manage them. ey just run through our brains like unsupervised toddlers running with scissors! But our thoughts shape our lives. What you believe about what’s possible will likely become true. If you believe you will

WE CLEAN THEM AL L®

graduate college and become successful in business, you’ll likely do those things. But if you don’t think you’ll nish college or succeed in business, that’s also likely to become true for you.

We should have been taught in childhood that we are not our thoughts or our brains, we are the managers of our thoughts and brains. And that’s actually

good news, because it means we’re in control, not anyone else! If you have thoughts like “I have to eat everything on my plate” or “It’s not polite to refuse when someone o ers food,” those thoughts will lead you to eat more. It would be better to think things like “I can save that for later” or “My friend won’t mind if I don’t eat her dessert.”

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

Tile and Grout Cleaning,

It's possible to change unhelpful thoughts to helpful ones via brain training. I learned how and it was life changing! I lost 65 lbs. and became a weight loss coach so I could help others like me who have been struggling for years. Now I’m teaching classes to show you how to do it, too. Check out the class description on the JFGN website and register for our new series starting on Tuesday, April 4 at 4 p.m. (EST).

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is sponsoring these classes and a portion of the $297 per person tuition will bene t them. Six consecutive classes meet online via Zoom once a week for an hour. If you need to miss a class, arrangements can be made for you to watch a recording. Register at www.jewishnaples.org.

You are invited to a delicious Lunch & Learn at DeRomo’s

From brilliantly designed residences with spectacular lake and golf course views to integrated wellness programs with concierge physician services and personalized healthcare that’s included, it’s easy to see why your neighbors are moving to Moorings Park Grande Lake. Southwest Florida’s newest - and hottest selling - Life Plan Community awaits the fortunate few who will live here. RSVP today by calling 239-842-2558, visiting MooringsPark.org/Events, or scanning the QR code.

Friends of Celebrate Israel

As of March 4, 2023, the following individuals have donated $75 to support the community-wide Celebrate Israel @ 75 event commemorating Israel’s 75th anniversary. You can still join this esteemed group by going to https://jfgn.regfox.com/friends-celebrateisrael-at-75 to become s friend as well.

Jack Abel

Dov Almog

Abby Askotzky

Tracy & Michael Askotzky

Marsha Auslander

Frank Baum

Stacey Baum

Myra & Bill Benedikt

Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

Stuart Brown

Danielle Ciccoli

Katie & Harvey Cohen

Sandra Diamond

Steven Einhorn

Richard Endlar

Sally Ann Endleman

Lisa Freund

Sid Freund

Genine Fidler

Josh Fidler

Paula Filler

Ron Filler

Barbara Gage

Pat & Bob Gage

Fran & Rich Goldberg

Gene Goldenziel

Mel Gold ne

Susie Goldsmith

Glenda & Kenneth Gordon

Helene & Alan Gordon

Jill Gordon

Monica & Allan Goodwin

Sherry & Howard Green eld

Michael Gurtman

Myra Hackel

Robin Hendricksen

Carol & Burton Hirsch

Stephen Iser

Rolly Jacob

Andy Karpman

Bobbie & Gene Katz

Emery Koenig

Pam Krangel

Dr. Jerry Kumin

Arlene Levin

Colin Lewis

Harriet & Merlin Lickhalter

Lois Lourie

Bob Lubin

Israel Scouts return to Naples

By Je Margolis

The Israel Scouts Caravan (Tzo m) will return to Greater Naples for one performance on Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. e program will take place at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center on Pine Ridge Road in Naples. e Israel Scout Friendship Caravan has been bringing its high-energy friendship and excitement for over 40 years. e very rst Caravan to the U.S. was in 1973, when inspirational songs and stories in a spirit of friendship from the people of Israel were brought to the people of the United States. Audiences in the Naples area have enjoyed their high-spirited programs for years.

e Tzo m Caravan is comprised of a group of ve boys and ve girls and their two leaders. ey are chosen to become part of the troop based on their maturity, uency in English and talent. Members must go through several competitive auditions as well as personal interviews. For more information and reservations, please contact Reneé Bialek at rbialek@jewishnaples.org.

Volunteers are needed to serve as host families for the Scouts' Naples visit. If interested, please contact Bialek for details. is event is free and open to the entire community.

Leda Lubin

Ida & Je Margolis

Susan & Joel Pittelman

Steve Podolsky

Rochelle Pollens

Jack Rabin

Nat Ritter

Susan Ritter

Andrea Roisman

Linda & Allen Saeks

Joan & Marc Saperstein

Jane Schi

Shelley & Mark Schloss

Jim Simon

Michael Sobol

Leslie & Mel Springman

Joyce Steckman

Bob Werner

Goldie Wetcher

Allen & Sharon White

Nancy Wiadro

Cathy & Philip Zacks

Michael Zeman

We need a few host families!

By Reneé Bialek, Program Director

The Israel Scout Friendship Caravan is coming to Naples in June! is Caravan consists of two leaders and 10 Israeli teens who will perform by singing and dancing for our community.

The Scouts will arrive Tuesday, June 20 and leave Naples Wednesday, June 21.

Hosting the Scouts

e hosting experience is often the most exciting and meaningful part of the Caravan’s visit. e hosting relationship goes far beyond providing food and a bed —host families become true surrogate families to the Scouts during their stay. Families love bringing the Caravan into their homes, getting to know the teens

and learning more about Israel. It is a valuable and unforgettable experience. Your responsibilities include meals and sleeping arrangements on Tuesday, June 20 and transportation to and from the events.

If you have youngsters or teens at home, this would be a real treat for them. If you don’t have youngsters or teens at home, this would be a real treat for you!

If you are interested in hosting one or more of the Scouts or team leaders, contact Reneé Bialek ASAP at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, 239-2634205 or rbialek@jewishnaples.org for more information.

Please go to https://jewishnaples.org/ israel-scouts for more information.

“More after the break”

By Gayle Dorio, Jewish Book Festival Chair

One of our last authors, Jen Max eld, aptly uses the phrase “more after the break” as the title of her book. She was a reporter and stories always continued after the break. So, too, does the Jewish Book Festival of Greater Naples! We presented 16 authors this past season at 14 events. Now, we have a short break before the next season. I hope you have enjoyed this season.

It has been a privilege to be the volunteer chair of the Jewish Book Festival for the past two seasons. I appreciate the opportunity to create events to entertain and engage you, and make you feel the beauty of this community. I have often said it is a labor of love being on the JBF committee, certainly working as the volunteer chair. Now, as with “more after the break,” it is time for me to step aside. I want to o er my most sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of this.

At each Book Festival event, I o er thanks for the support and assistance provided by so many people and organizations. This article is about gratitude! Thank you! Sincerest thanks for everything!

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, now at its brand-new home – the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center – has opened its doors to everyone. Instead of every organization searching for venues, we can all come together there! Federation began the Jewish Book Festival eight years ago. I don’t know how long the other entities began but imagine all that Federation o ers:

at every event and in the Federation Star e committee helped nalize the recommendations of the “Author Review Team”

(Emily Berkowitz, Reneé Bialek, Jan Goldman, Carol Hirsch and me). Several members renewed sponsors and solicited new ones. e Preview Event, under the direction of Iris Shur and Steve Yussen, started the season o with a bang. Carole Greene has written excellent book reviews published in the Federation Star for many years. And to the committee members who always volunteer to help greet, sign in, usher and provide support, you are all so greatly appreciated!

ank you to the 209 patrons, whose financial support and enthusiasm for Book Festival events make the Book Festival possible. So many patrons continue year after year. You truly are the foundation we need.

ank you to the 24 sponsors, including many long-time sponsors as well as a rst-time sponsor. We know that even though circumstances are sometimes difficult, you continue your support. We are extremely grateful as we cannot continue without you.

Thank you to the hard working “Author Champions:” Emily Berkowitz, Irene Pomerantz, Spencer Forman, Ida and Jeff Margolis, Iris Shur, Carol Hirsch, Lenore Greenstein, Susan Pittelman, Linda Simon, Ronna Hain, Leslie Wasserman, Dina Shein, Nancy Wiadro, Steve Yussen and Phyllis Strome, who introduced the authors and moderated the Q&As. Some provided transportation and overall care for those authors who appeared in person.

2022-23

• The groups – Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, Israel Advocacy Committee, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish War Veterans, JRCA-Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance, JYP-Jewish Young Professionals of Greater Naples, MCA, PJ Library, Singles Social Group, WCA and Women’s Philanthropy

• e major events – Annual campaign kicko , Chanukah Celebration, Celebrate Israel, Israel Scouts, JCRC Day of Learning, Jewish Summer Book Club, Jewish Book Festival, Majors/Lion of Judah, Power of Community Celebration, Shop with a Sheri and Yom Hashoah

• e outreach community support –requests for funds as needed to provide for those su ering from hurricanes, tragedies and worldwide events. And I’m probably forgetting some other things, too…

It’s almost exhausting thinking about everything Federation does. And they do it!

My first todah rabah is for Jewish Federation of Greater Naples that makes all this possible!

Thank you to the members of the Jewish Book Festival Committee – for their advice, book reviews, guidance and suggestions. eir names are published

ank you to Federation representatives who welcomed the community at the beginning of each event: Board Chair Jane Schi and President/CEO Je rey Feld.

ank you to Larry Israelite for continuing to help with computer issues and registrations.

ank you to Jake Tavill and sta at Indigo Soul Entertainment for making sure each panelist was clearly heard and had proper lighting as well as handling the music and PowerPoint presentations before and after each event.

Thank you to Carole Greene for writing numerous thoughtful, engaging book reviews to whet the appetite of the community and encourage them to attend events.

ank you to Federation Star editor Sharon Hood and her team for designing Book Festival articles, ads and bookmarks; for giving the events prominent placement; allowing long articles; repeating the Book Festival sponsors and patrons so many times; for the beautiful separate handouts; and for patience, talent and kindness, always.

ank you to the Jewish Book Council that offers 250 talented authors for our selection. The JBC facilitates author selections (many times requiring several iterations), schedules dates and

times, and provides guidance regarding arrangements for author travel.

And most especially, thank you to the one and only Reneé Bialek, often referred to as “Superwoman!” Without her, nothing happens. She communicates with JBC, submits all the paperwork, manages all the travel arrangements, sends emails, prepares PowerPoint presentations, handles the questions, reservations and does everything you can think of,

all with a smile on her face and a gracious friendliness that makes you know all the details have been handled. In the new building, she is also called upon to handle microphones and technical issues. I can’t thank her enough! (It’s also exhausting just thinking about everything she does!)

ank you so much!

Goodbye from Gayle Dorio and Gloriana the Great!

JYP partners with Chabad of Naples for Tu B'shvat

By Maya Williams, JYP Coordinator

In February, Jewish Young Professionals came together to celebrate Tu B'shvat with Rabbi Fishel of Chabad of Naples. We painted trees,

discussed the signi cance of the holiday and enjoyed some food and wine. It was a beautiful evening together, with members new and old.

Meet the Rosen family

PJ Library Family Spotlight

By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

Q: Tell me about the Rosen family.

A: We are Alex and Jessica. We have two children, Ella (9) and Sydney (7). Our family has resided in Naples for the last nine years.

Q: What do you think about the quality of PJ Library books?

A: Both kids get excited to open their PJ Library envelopes. We have loved several of the picture books as the girls have grown up. The quality is great! We love that the books include Jewish themes, are fun to read and make it into our regular book rotation.

Q: What are some of the family’s favorite PJ Library books?

A: at’s a tough question for us! So many PJ Library books are special to us for di erent reasons. But

if we must narrow it down, we decided on three.

Ella and Sydney love “Tea with Zayde” by Barney Saltzberg. e girls call Jessica’s Father Zayde, so it’s special because there aren’t too many stories with Zayde in the title.

Jessica went to elementary school with the author of “No Baths at Camp” by Tamar Fox, so we are partial to that one, too!

As a speech therapist, Jessica often uses “I Can Help” by David Hyde Costello with her students. It was a favorite with the kids when they were younger, and she has since integrated it into her work.

Q: Are you involved in the Jewish community in Naples? If so, how?

A: We are members of Temple Shalom, where our kids attend Sunday School. Jessica is on the board and teaches the sixth grade at

YeSH. We do enjoy events at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, like the Matzah Ball and the PJ Library playdates.

Q: A lot of parents say they feel PJ books help them raise good kids. Do you feel that way? Please explain.

A: We do think PJ library books help us raise good kids because they are driven by our Jewish values. Overall, they are a wonderful tool to help children learn about being Jewish with doing Mitzvot as a central part of that.

They also help reinforce a love of reading and the value of family time,

especially when the kids were younger, and we sat and read them together before bedtime.

In Sydney’s own words “I love reading books so so so much!” ank you, PJ Library, for your part in giving her that gift!

If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a PJ Library Spotlight family, please let us know! Email Alicia Feldman at programs@jewishnaples.org. Follow us on Facebook @PJ LibraryNaplesFL.

Nicole, Rabbi Fishel, Sam, Mak and Ruthie

Written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello

Written by Tamar Fox; Illustrated by Natalia Vasquez

Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

Rabbi Fishel, Sam, Mak, Nicole, Maya, Geena, Cayla, Ruthie, Alyssa and Helen

Photo credit: Ella Photography, Val Newell

Steve Iser: A Federation and MCA builder

By Marc Rosenweig, MCA member

For Steve Iser, the journey from Brooklyn to Nyack, New York and on to Naples is a great adventure. He’s best known by many for his strong support of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, which led to the naming of the new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center in honor of his late wife.

Nina Iser was a leader in the Jewish communities of Naples and Nyack. She was especially interested in the building of the cultural center. As someone who spent his career building homes, it was natural for Steve to also get involved in the project.

“ e results are great,” he said of the center which opened in January. “It’s so good to see people going in and out (of the building) and being so happy. I hope it will eventually need expansion.”

Iser earned an associate degree in building technology from New York City Community College followed by a bachelor’s from Pratt Institute and a master’s in urban planning from NYU. e last two were night programs.

Iser started building homes in the 1970s. “Life was a lot easier then,” he quipped. “You worked hard all day and maybe made a few phone calls at night, but there were no cellphones. We somehow made it work.”

Iser’s work resulted in extensive housing developments in Rockland County, New York. He says he managed to navigate through several recessions that hit the housing industry. He was eventually named president of the Rockland County Builder’s Association.

“My parents liked the east coast,” said Iser, whose parents lived near Ft. Lauderdale. “We hated it.”

So, about 18 years ago, Steve and Nina rst spent a month in Naples. at expanded when they bought their first home 16 years ago. They also became big supporters of Naples Botanical Garden.

suitable for long-term cruising.” It’s 40 feet long.

It’s been a long journey for Steve Iser — one lled with hard work.

“I grew up in Brooklyn, East Flatbush,” said Iser. “It was very Jewish. On the high holidays, you would hardly see a car going down the street.”

His grandfather was in the plumbing business. On Saturdays, he’d join his grandfather, who was replacing plumbing in old tenement buildings. He helped recycle the old plumbing xtures removed from the buildings.

“ e building industry was ingrained in me at an early age,” said Iser, who later also worked with his father in his building business. “I was building in the summer. ere was no summer camp.”

“Nina got involved in WCA. en I got involved in MCA,” said Iser. ey met many people through the WCA canasta group and other events.

“You can be involved in activities all day long. ere’s something for everybody. People are friendly. It’s a great resource. You make friends. I’m amazed at what we do. But it’s nice to be home at least one night a week.”

Some of his favorite MCA activities have included kayaking and bocce. He also gets great joy from cruising on his boat. It’s his second one. He lost the rst one to Superstorm Sandy.

“In the late ’90s, my aunt passed away and I got a check,” said Iser. “I used it to buy the rst boat. I nally had money for it.” He describes his current boat as “a traditional powerboat — very

“When I was growing up, I thought New York State had no redeeming value,” said Iser. “But traveling up the Hudson River, I found that upstate New York is beautiful. I appreciate the beauty of this country.” He often takes 10- to 15-mile bike trips when his boat stops along the way. He doesn’t agree with the old saying that “the two best days are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it.”

April

One of his most memorable cruises was just before COVID-19 hit. He traveled up the Hudson River, through Lake Champlain, up the Richelieu River and down the St. Lawrence to Prince Edward Island and Halifax, Nova Scotia. But then COVID closed down Canada. He had to leave his boat there for about two years. But boating is now back in Iser’s life. He has a love for adventure along with his love of the Naples and Nyack Jewish communities.

presented by Corey Lewis

General Manager of WGCU

WGCU has embarked on a five-year plan to grow the NPR and PBS portfolio of programs with a new emphasis on locally originated content. Lewis will describe why this strategy runs counter to that of commercial media, which are under tremendous pressure to deliver value to shareholders.

Lewis spent the first 18 years of his career in commercial TV in several northern cities. In 2002 he joined WBUR, a public radio station in Boston , as director of corporate support and development and then served as station manager for 15 years. This event is open to MCA members only.

Scan the QR code to register

Steve Iser, center, surrounded by family — on left, granddaughters Ilana and Wendi Segal, and Nina's sister, Abby Kahn; on right, daughter Lauren Segal and son-in-law Ron Segal — at the dedication wall of the Nina Iser Cultural Center.

Steve Iser

2023 WCA Volunteer Expo

An opportunity to give back to our community

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

WCA held its signature “Community Volunteer Expo” on Tuesday, Jan. 17, which was only two days after the grand opening of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Started in January 2018 by WCA Special Events Director Linda Simon in response to WCA’s interest in giving back to our community, the WCA Volunteer Expo provides members an opportunity to meet representatives from local agencies that rely on volunteers to carry out their missions.

e 2023 Expo, chaired by superorganized WCA board member Linda Hyde with the assistance of talented board member Ann Cowen, was a huge success! ank you to volunteers Marlene Apkon, Sue Bookbinder, Sandy Diamond, Marcia Filiurin, Nancy Garfein, Rolly Jacobs, Nancy Kahn and Marlene Marsh as well as Robin Mintz for her beautiful graphics and JFGN Facilities Manager Phil Zoltek who performed magic in setting up the room so close to the building’s opening.

Twenty-one local nonpro t agencies participated to share information about their agency as well as the types of volunteer positions available, and more than 140 community members came to learn about the agencies and nd meaningful volunteer activities. e services o ered by the participating agencies were diverse, including alleviating hunger in our local community; making a di erence in the education of young children and their families; serving as Guardians ad Litem; interfacing with young girls experiencing con ict in school or at home; working with individuals with disabilities, such as reading to the blind; volunteer physicians providing medical care; as well as volunteers o ering translation services and many other worthwhile initiatives.

e day was rewarding for both presenters and participants. Several agencies commented that they appreciated the opportunity to network with other local nonpro ts. One WCA member, in commenting on the Expo, said, “ is was a wonderful opportunity to learn about all these agencies and what they do. I got exactly everything I wanted!" Another commented that she was astounded by all the volunteer options. Many of the women who attended signed up to volunteer with the participating agencies.

After the event, several agencies contacted Hyde to express their appreciation to WCA for hosting the event and to say how well run and successful the Expo was. Gail Kedrus, a WCA member representing Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL, was grateful for “allowing me to interface with so many wonderful WCA members.”

e Immokalee Foundation said it was the best expo they had ever attended, and they looked forward to next year.

e old adage, “When you need something done, ask a busy woman,” certainly applies to WCA members! Although members are busy participating in the myriad of activities that WCA o ers, many women balance that with service to the community. e WCA Volunteer Expo provided the opportunity to extend their volunteer service to other agencies within the Greater Naples community.

“I was proud to see that four of the agency representatives were WCA members!” said Hyde — “Paula Brody, Naples Art District; Gail Rothenberg, Books for Collier Kids; Gail Kedrus, Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL; and Lisa Freund, Planned Parenthood. In fact, many WCA members already work closely with these agencies.”

Numerous WCA members who attended the Expo were so touched by the agencies they learned about that they not only signed up to volunteer, but also planned to share information about the agency with other WCA members.

Marlene Apkon, for example, set up a tour of Youth Haven for WCA members.

Marlene also signed up to be a preschool tutor for Collier Literacy.

April is U.S. National Volunteer Month, celebrating the impact volunteers have on our lives and encouraging active volunteerism in generations to come. Established in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush, National Volunteer Month was created as part of the launch of the 1,000 Points of Light campaign. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. ey pick a cause and make a di erence in someone’s life. As demonstrated by the agencies participating in the

Volunteer Expo, sometimes they can create a tidal wave of change.

Volunteer appreciation month is a most appropriate time to once again thank the WCA members who volunteer their time helping in the community as well as the members who devote time to create, organize and facilitate WCA events, programs and interest groups. With WCA being a volunteer-led organization, WCA’s success is due to you! ank you!

“Volunteersdonotnecessarily havethetime,theyjusthave the heart.” ~ Elizabeth Andrew

WCA member Gail Rothenberg (on the right) representing Books for Collier Kids

The Immokalee Foundation

Pace Center for Girls Literacy Volunteers of Collier County

WCA member Gail Kedrus representing the Alliance for Period Supplies for SWFL

Tributes

To: Patti Bloom

In memory of Pete Bloom

From: Monica and Allan Goodman Jane Schi

To: Dr. Robert Ciralsky In honor of your special birthday

From: Karen & Curt Posner

To: Gayle & Marty Dorio

Mazel Tov on your Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah

From: Gail & Daniel Kamm

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

To: Pearl Fishman-Thall

In honor of your special birthday

From: Bella Calish

Ellie Cantor

Phyllis Lazear

Marilyn Rane

Marcelle Reiss

Florence Sperling

Marilyn Stat eld

Harriet Stein

To: Nancy & Hank Greenberg

In appreciation of your friendship and warm hospitality

From: Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

To: Bobbie Kau man & Family

In memory of Dr. Matthew Kau man

From: Jane Schi

To: Arlene and Zvi Leibovich In your honor

From: Anna & Yale Levin

To: Nat Ritter In your honor

From: Lori Wald

To: Marc Saperstein & Family In memory of Rose Saperstein

From: Barbara & Milt Coleman

To: Jane Schi

In honor of your dedication and good works for the Jewish Community of Naples

From: Ireen & Alan Weinberg

To place a Tribute in the FederationStarin 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.

At the Museum

Susan Suarez President & CEO

The Museum’s annual Triumph event at the Arthrex Conference Center was a great success! ank you to our sponsors and all who attended for your support. Guest speaker Michael Abramowitz from Freedom House gave a most insightful presentation on the current state of international human rights and pro-democracy movements. He is well quali ed to speak on the subject due to personal contact with people on the ground in those movements. Net funds raised bene ted our education programs.

Education department update

Our work with students and schools, to teach about the Holocaust and combat antisemitism, was featured in Neapolitan Family Magazine in its March issue. The article includes comments from high school student Bailey Reum. We applaud Bailey for being an upstander by speaking out and serving as a volunteer docent at the Museum. You can read the article at https://issuu.com/neafam/docs/ march_2023_a/22.

Museum Education Specialist David Nelson and Keith Stringfellow, a USHMM teaching fellow from Winter Haven, FL, conducted a spring teacher workshop at the Museum. Participants in the allday session came from elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges across Southwest Florida. e agenda focused on the latest trends in Holocaust education and provided teachers with information and resources to use with their students. e group took advantage of the opportunity to share their insights and experiences of teaching about the Holocaust in the variety of grade levels represented.

Our Education department has also been working with 6th-grade students at Temple Shalom’s Sunday School as they learn about the Holocaust. David Nelson gave a presentation on Holocaust hero Irena Sendler, and Museum Board Member, Docent and Education Volunteer Stuart Mest, M.D. spoke to the class about children in the Holocaust. Dr. Mest’s parents were Holocaust survivors. Survivor Rob Nossen, a board member, docent and education volunteer at the Museum, shared his family’s experiences,

Thank You

"Triumph of Freedom” Sponsors for Your Support!

Remembrance Sponsor: Estelle and Stuart Price; Testimony Sponsor: Shelley and Steven Einhorn, Maureen and Arnold Lerner, Sam Levin Foundation, Fran and Rob Nossen, Ashley and Anthony Solomon/Ronto Group, Richard Yovanovich Hope Sponsor: City Mattress, Gracia Kuller, Life in Naples Magazine, Lorelei Meeker and Geoffrey Grodner, Publix Super Market Charities Inspire Sponsor: Felicia and Kenneth Anchor, Claudia and Lawrence Baer/Baer’s Furniture, Silvie and Herb Berkeley, Goldie and Lou Bertone, Dottie McGovern, F.E. and Jack Nortman, Susan and Nathaniel Ritter, Ellaine and Richard Rosen, William D. Ross, Sandy and Fred Roth, Anne Schuchman and Stephen Light, Linda Singer and Louis Klein, Jr., WGCU Public Media Patron: Barbara and Hymie Akst, Cheryl and Warren Alifeld, Harriet and Louis Berneman, Shirley and Marshall Besikof, Penni and Mark Blaskey, Leslie and Jules Cogan, Becky Cornacchia, Ellen and Alan Englander, Paula and Ronald Filler, Leslie and Steven Goodman, Deborah and Michael Greenberg, Marcia and Paul Greenberg, Rissa Grossman, Shelli A. Halper, Nancy Kahn, Diane and Ron McGinty, Ruth and Peter Pogany, Sarah Rockler, Judy and Stanley Ruskin, Karen and Bill Sartoris, Nancy and Steven Schachtman, Jane Schiff, Gail and Russell G. Smith II, Linda and Russ Southworth, Mindy and Jay Sterns, Phyllis and Steve Strome, Nancy G. White, Marina Youngblood and Robert Cahners (as of 3/10/23 print deadline)

as did survivor Judit Price. e class also had a private tour of the Museum led by Docent and Education Volunteer Irving Waldman.

e Education department continues to see an increase in the number of student and private group tours being scheduled. If you would like more information about the variety of educational options we o er, including bringing displays and speakers to your school, please email David Nelson at David@hmcec.org.

e Boxcar Exhibit, on loan to the Museum from F.E. and Jack Nortman and e Boxcar Foundation, will be at the Lehigh Acres Middle School this month. It then travels to the Punta Gorda Library for May.

Two Regimes exhibit

Our temporary exhibit in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery is on display through April. Through special arrangement, giclee prints of some of the paintings in the exhibit by Artist Nadia Werbitzky are available for $35, plus tax. Please contact Museum Curator Cody Rademacher at Cody@hmcec.org for more information.

“Movies that Matter” update

e next “Movies that Matter – Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series” Zoom panel discussion will be held on Wednesday, May 3 from 4 to 5 p.m. (EST). e documentary, “APART,” looks at the impact on women incarcerated on drugrelated charges and their families. e lm follows Tomika, Amanda and Malika as they try to restore family life during and after their prison terms.

Zoom panelists will include Tammy Franklin, associate director, academy programs at Prison Fellowship. Prison

volunteers shaped her life. Today, Franklin is bringing that same ray of hope back to incarcerated women. Also joining the panel will be a representative from Avow Hospice, Inc.’s counseling program for children with incarcerated parents. One week prior to the Zoom discussion, a link to watch "APART" will be sent to all people who signed up. A link to Zoom will be sent 24 hours before the program. To RSVP, please visit www.hmcec.org.

North wing update

Construction continues on our new north wing. e interior walls are up, and lighting and new window installations are nearly complete. e additional space will allow for a new classroom, an Auschwitz gallery, another gallery for other genocides and human rights, larger temporary exhibit space, and more. Upon completion, the Museum will increase from 6,000 square feet to 9,600 square feet. is will allow us to serve thousands more students and guests each year. North wing naming opportunities are available. For more information, please contact me at 239-263-9200 or susan@hmcec.org.

Condolences

Our condolences to the families of local Holocaust survivors Paul Simko and Max Weisglass. We received word that both gentlemen recently passed away.

Yom HaShoah

is year, the annual community commemoration of Yom HaShoah will take place on Monday, April 17, 7 p.m., at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. For more information, visit jewishnaples.org. We look forward to seeing you at the Museum!

Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Suite 108, Naples, FL 34110 239-263-9200 HMCEC.org Info@HMCEC.org

CREDIT: DELL RIVER IMAGERY

Teacher workshop room

North wing light installation

FOCUS

If it’s Pysec’h, spring can’t be far behind! e Yiddish corner

By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

If Purim just passed, Passover is exactly a month away. You know what that means — spring is just around the corner.

By us Jews, it’s a most important time of the year, for, without Passover, we never would have gotten a calendar. e rst Law that was created said that the Israelites should have their own way of marking time.

So, on the Jewish calendar’s 14th of Nissan, we usher in the Holiday marking our birth as a Nation. Over the ages, customs surrounding Pesach have been woven into our framework of being Jews; food being near the top of the list. Coming home from school, you’d probably nd your Mom or Babeh gleefully cooking in the kitchen, creating delights that still muster up wonderful memories, no? Nah! Faa zee ec’h! Here! Taste!

Starting o our trip for this month are words and phrases associated with Passover, the earth-shattering event that started our belief system.

Pysec’h

Pronunciation: PY-sec’h

Meaning: Passover. In Hebrew school, you learned it as Peh-saac’h. If you were

European, you remember it being called Py-sec’h. Because the Hebrew and English calendars are di erent, the question was always…

In a sentence: Venn kimp’t Paysec’h, freeyeh odeh shpayteh? (When does Passover occur, early or late?)

Deh si-deh tish

Pronunciation: deh SI-deh TISH

Meaning: e seder table, in all its glory, with a beautiful dinner table set and complete with the Holiday symbols.

In a sentence: Zay no vee shein deh Seideh Tish zay’t oss! (Look how beautiful the seder table looks!)

Hagoodeh

Pronunciation: ha-GOO-deh

Meaning: You probably know it as the Haggadah, and it’s the action-packed story of the Jewish people. e long and winding story is told through commentary and customs, one of which you’d better know.

In a sentence: Nem dee Hagoodeh un mish off Dee Feeyeh Kashes! (Take the Hagadah and nd the four questions!)

Bentsh lic’ht

Pronunciation: BEN-sh LIC’HT

We Understand the Legal Needs and Traditions Of Our Community.

Meaning: is is where your Mom or Babeh would light the candles commemorating the start of the holiday. e table set, alles fah pits’t, everything polished.

In a sentence: Alles shaa-shtill, Deh Mameh bensh’t Dee Lic’ht. (In silence, Mom blesses the (holiday) candles.)

Kiddish

Pronunciation: KIDD—ish

Meaning: Reciting the prayer over the wine

In a sentence: Deh Taateh ot geh maac’ht Kiddish. (Dad performed the act of saying Kiddish.) Flayeh er hawt oogeh hoyben, ot men nisht geh hayet a voret. (Before he started, not a word was heard.)

Deh feeyeh kaashes

Pronunciation: deh FEE-yeh KA-shes

Meaning: e four questions. If you were the ying-steh, the youngest, well, it was showtime.

In a sentence: Kim ah hayeh, lomeh heren vee dee zoogs’t Deh Fee-yeh Kaashes! (Come over here, let’s hear how you say the four questions!) You would be standing next to your dad, looking at one another, as was everyone else around the table. Failure was not an option.

Dee t’zain maahkes

Pronunciation: dee T”ZAIN mahkes

Meaning: e ten plagues.

In a sentence: It’s right about now, dipping your nger into the wine that you … Fah c’haazeh daim vaasen tish tec’h miit’n vaan. (You stain the white tablecloth with wine.) Like that rst dent in a new car, it’s all downhill from there.

K’nyd’l/k’neidlec’h

Pronunciation: KE-ny-del/KE-nyd-lec’h

Meaning: Matzo ball, singular; Matzo balls, plural. If they were made right, they’d be oating to the surface of the boiling water and be light as air in your soup bowl.

In a sentence: Zay no vee shein dee k’nydlec’h ob’n zrc’h o geh koc’ht! (Look how nicely the matzo balls were cooked!)

Yowec’h

Pronunciation: YO-wec’h

Meaning: Chicken soup. It’s not always used to heal the sick and makes the start of any meal an uplifting experience; especially if …

In a sentence: Deh yowec’h hot oygen! ( e soup has eyes!) It’s those round globules of fat oating on the surface of the soup that adds to the character of the k’neidlec’h.

Myren

Pronunciation: MY-ren

Meaning: Carrots. ey were the key ingredient in the t’zimmess, a traditional

continued on page 16

Amanda M. Dorio Estate Planning and Trust Administration

Attorneys Amanda Dorio and Katie Kohn have represented clients from the Naples community for more than 20 years. Amanda works with her clients in estate planning, trust administration and wills, and Katie assists clients in matters regarding adoption, divorce, marital and family law. They both use understanding, compassion and experience to help with their community’s legal needs – just as we’ve done since 1924.

Katie Kohn Divorce, Marital & Family Law

Sol Awend

Sharing and remembrance

By Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

Many of the 2G members of GenShoah SWFL have been willing to share the stories of their parents. New members who attended the Welcome Brunch told the stories to those in attendance as did those who attended the annual Our Stories. This year, in addition to the stories, members shared meaningful family photos. Even though every story is di erent, there is a commonality and special bond when shared.

In addition to telling the stories of our parents who lived through a most horrific time, another way to share these important stories is to write them so that they will be preserved. Many 2Gs have already written their parent’s

stories, which are posted on the Holocaust Museum website (hmcec.org). Any local 2Gs who would like to write their stories and have them posted can do so.

And, if help is needed, contact Shelley at liebro@gmail.com.

Sharing requires remembering, something that is often not easy but, in reference to the Holocaust, is an imperative. “Memory is what shapes us. Memory is what teaches us. We must understand that’s where our redemption is,” said Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig of the Washington Hebrew Congregation. “Days of Remembrance is an opportunity for us to remember the su ering that was and the e orts that were made to put an end to such su ering, and it’s a call to conscience today in our world to make sure that we aren’t the silent ones standing by, contributing to the su ering of others.”

According to genocide prevention educator Bridget Conley-Zilic, we can honor those who su ered and died in the Holocaust by not being silent. Remembering ties the past to the present, bringing them together.

“We owe it, not only to the living, to remember the killing of 6 million Jews during the Nazi Holocaust, but to those who died as well. To forget the dead is akin to killing them a second time,” said Ellie Wiesel.

Remember Wiesel’s words and remember the victims, survivors of the Holocaust and the rescuers at our community Yom HaShoah Commemoration of April 17, 7 p.m., at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. (see page 5A for more information and to RSVP).

spring can't be far behind...continued from page 15

Ashkenazi Jewish stew typically made from carrots and dried fruits such as prunes. From experience, you know to load up on this.

In a sentence: Deh t’zimmess iz zayeh geh shmaack! ( e t’zimmess is delicious!)

Geh feelteh fish mit c’hein

Pronunciation: geh-FEEL-teh sh mit C’HEIN

Meaning: Ge lte sh with horse radish

It can also be pronounced as C’hrayn. Same explosive character and comes in regular or red; good for spilling on the tablecloth. If done right, it’ll bring tears to your eyes and make you breathe normal in no time.

In a sentence: Geb ah hayeh ah shtik’l geh feelteh sh. Tee arof ah bissel c’hein! (Pass a piece of ge lte sh. Put some horseradish on top of it!)

Oogeh praygelteh matza braan

Pronunciation: OO-geh PRAY-gel-teh MAH-tzeh BRAAN

Meaning: Fried Matzo is delicacy is one for which you wait the whole year. Depending on your background, you can add a variety of toppings. Growing up, we only used sugar, while many used sour cream

and jelly. I must admit it could be a contender for the breakfast of champions. at and a glayzel tei mit t’zikeh un t’zeh treen (a glass of tea with sugar and lemon) — what a way to say hello to springtime!

In a sentence: Hob ah freilic’hen Pysec’h! (Have a joyous Passover!)

Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

Bronia Ichel

Michael Gurtman

Rolly Jacob

Denise Pine

Rene Geist

Shelley Lieb

Shirley Moskowitz Sam Geist

New center accommodates more member and programs

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO

Life has been exciting at Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN). On Friday, Feb. 24, we held an open house to welcome donors and friends to 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. More than 200 guests celebrated our new 30,000-squarefoot building and all that takes place inside (and outside!).

In the first six weeks at our new address, we welcomed 525 new members, the majority of whom walked in to see what we are all about, then joined.

e new space enables us to increase programming, both in scale and in scope.

e tai chi, yoga and tness classes are very popular, as are the art classes. Our bright and sunny art room has classes in pastels and watercolors and is the site for our very well attended needlework program. And our Wednesday “Lunch and More” hot lunch program is now welcoming an average of 260 members.

On Feb. 23, we had our rst Café Europa luncheon, where we welcomed 36 Holocaust survivors and their families to a catered hot lunch with music by our own Naples Klezmer Band. Attending guests danced to the music and socialized. We look forward to continuing to o er more programs like Café Europa. Our Brookdale Cognitive Health Center now occupies an entire wing of the new building.

Participants are increasing in number, and we now have a total of seven respite groups here on Autumn Oaks Lane. As Medicare providers for geriatric mental health, we look forward to an expansion of that program. We are “staffing up” to meet the demand in both the respite and the mental health programs. While many things have changed, like our name and our logo, we stay true to our mission of providing con dence,

connection and support to seniors living in Collier and southern Lee counties. Senior Center membership is $60 per year and includes everything BSCN has to o er. Respite groups are $45 per session. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs assistance. No one is ever turned away because of inability to pay. Please stop by for a tour. Become a member, a volunteer or just a friend. Our best to you for a sweet Passover.

Watercolor class in progress

You’re invited…

By Chuck Naumo , Naples Jewish Congregation Publicity Chair

Everyone is invited to a beautiful Community Passover Seder presented by the Naples Jewish Congregation. e seder service will be conducted by Rabbi Howard Herman with music provided by Alla Gorelik and cantorial soloist Jane Galler.

Join us Wednesday, April 5, 5 p.m., at the beautiful Cypress Woods

Country Club. There will be a traditional Passover dinner with ge lte sh, matzo ball soup, roasted chicken and wine. e cost is $60 per person; $18 for kids under 12.

Order tickets online at www.naples jewishcongregation.org or mail your check to NJC, PO Box 111994, Naples FL 34108.

Temple Shalom events for all

By Jeanette Fischer, Temple Shalom Director of Communications

The following Temple Shalom events are open to everyone.

Torah Talk

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

Jewish yoga

Join yoga teacher Missy Balsam via Zoom as she guides you through an all-levels gentle yoga stretch session interwoven with Jewish spiritual teachings, designed to relieve stress and calm the mind. is class, held Mondays at 11 a.m., will be practiced lying down and sitting on the oor. Open to all, no experience necessary. e cost is $54 for a 7-week session. Call the Temple Shalom o ce to register and receive the Zoom information.

Shabbat ShaPlay

Join Rabbi Boxman and Miss Jane on Saturday, April 1 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@naplestemple.org.

Beach Shabbat

Join us on Lowdermilk Park beach Friday, April 7 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!

Thinking About Good and Evil

Wednesdays, April 12 – May 3, at noon, with Rabbi Frank Muller

The past year has seen an unprecedented amount of evil in the world — from the brutal war in Ukraine to mass shootings in the U.S., not to mention the toll COVID-19 has taken. People question how they can maintain their faith and belief in a God who could allow so many bad things to happen. Sadly, little has been written over the years about the problem of evil from a Jewish perspective. Using a new book, “ inking About Good and Evil,” by Rabbi Wayne Allen, Rabbi Muller will present an overview of how Jewish sages and teachers from Biblical times to the present have grappled with this vexing issue. To register, email education@naplestemple.org.

Soulful Shabbat

Join us on Friday evening, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. for the very popular Soulful Shabbat, a musical shabbat service conducted entirely in song and accompanied by the Temple Shalom Band. Everyone is invited to attend this uplifting shabbat evening service.

Sunday School For Adults

Rabbi James Perman returns Sunday, April 16 at 10 a.m. with another installment of Sunday School for Adults. is year’s theme is “Jewish Beliefs in Our Challenging World.”

Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

An old Arab proverb says, “If you do not know where you are going, you will nd yourself somewhere else.” Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida has been on a steady trek of collecting, documenting, preserving and celebrating local Jewish history since April 2010. It is our 13th anniversary, and our painstaking work resonates as far as Israel, where all our Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers lms are now a part of ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. All our lms are broadcast-quality original productions.

preserved much of the early story of Jewish life in Collier County. is free of charge event is of particular interest and value to newcomers, who are typically unfamiliar with local Jewish history. But old-timers and repeat viewers are welcome to experience it again. In-person events are as nostalgic as Weinfeld’s recollection of her early days in Naples. As of the date of this publication, Weinfeld is about a Chai short of 120. May she be blessed with good health to live to this historic age.

On Tuesday, May 9 at 3 p.m., we will share the story of “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers: e Labodas of Fort Myers,” our original production. is lm covers the days of the Jewish communities in Lee and Charlotte counties as told by its Jewish Federation co-founder Sheila Laboda. Dr. Jerry Laboda is an expert on the life and history of Abraham C. Myers, a confederate Provisions General

e resonance after the Feb. 6 premiere of “Spaiser Family Story” and March Local Jewish History Film Festival was loud and clear — please make more lms like this; there are many interesting people in Southwest Florida, each with a story to capture. We hear you, we absolutely agree and we need extra resources to complete these wonderful community expectations.

In April, after we all celebrate Passover, we will commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). Why is it important to celebrate it? e month of May has been selected for annual nationwide recognition of achievements and contributions by Jews to the U.S. We are all immigrants and descendants of immigrants of various times, countries, degree of religiousness and different cultural practices. What uni es us unfailingly is that we are Jews, and we stand together in times of peace and prosperity as well as in times of adversity, as one people, dispersed, yet united in our Jewish identity, whatever it may mean to each of us.

On Tuesday May 2 at 3 p.m., we will present “SWFL Florida Jewish Pioneers: Helen Weinfeld.” is documentary is about Naples’ very rst and self-appointed Jewish historian, who documented and

and southern Jewish gentleman, after whom the city of Fort Myers is named. A short lm about that will also be a part of that afternoon’s program. e Laboda children were raised in Southwest Florida and found their successes locally.

Both May 2 and May 9 programs are no fee and will be held at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

Are you interested in sponsoring this or any other event? Please contact us at o ce@jhsswf.org.

You may now purchase Jewish Historical Society of SWFL memberships online or mail us a check. A family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. If mailing a check, please send to e 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 o ce@jhsswf.org. e Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwest orida.org/. e Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Marina Berkovich, Alexander Goldstein, Mitch Spaser, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos, Robert Davidson and Shellie Specter at Chabad of Naples after premiere of "Spaser Family Story." Photo credit: Lois Bolin

Brave women impact the world

Collier/Lee Hadassah President

On Purim, we read the Megillah, the story of Esther, a heroic woman who risked her life going to King Ahasuerus to save the Jewish people from extinction. Esther demonstrated the importance of women in our communities, encouraging us to act, even in the face of danger. Esther demonstrated the power of one and how amazing that can be.

Like Esther and the story of Purim, the story of Hadassah also began with one strong, brave woman, Henrietta Szold. Hadassah Shabbat Zachor, held March 3 at Temple Shalom and March 4 at Beth Tikvah, celebrated Hadassah’s origins and all the organization has accomplished since. The week of Purim marks the anniversary of Hadassah’s birth in 1912. Hadassah is the Hebrew name for Esther.

As we observe Passover, we commemorate our freedom from slavery in Egypt. Once again, we see the impact of brave women. We are thankful that ve courageous women followed their conscience, helping the Israelites on a path to freedom.

The Torah tells us that Shifra and Puah were two midwives who disobeyed Pharaoh’s orders to kill every Israelite boy born. Yocheved hid her baby, Moses, for

three months before placing him in the basket on the riverbank with Miriam, Moses’ older sister, watching over him. Pharaoh’s daughter, Batia, nds Moses and rears him as her own. These five courageous women — Shifra, Puah, Yocheved, Miriam and Batia — opposed Pharaoh’s mandates. Who knew that this baby would one day save the Hebrew nation? True power comes from standing up for what you believe is right and ethical no matter the obstacles.

All of us can take powerful actions today. If you are concerned about challenges to a woman’s right to choose, let your voice be heard. If you are distressed about the increase in antisemitism, let your voice be heard. We have to move beyond our comfort level to act on our beliefs.

Henrietta’s Szold’s passion and desire to bring “modern health care” to poor, unhealthy people living in overcrowded conditions began in 1912 in what was then Palestine. It has since transformed into the Hadassah Medical Organization. Our two hospitals in Jerusalem, Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, are recognized among the 250 best hospitals in the world! Doctors of di erent faiths and nationalities care for patients of all faiths and nationalities.

rough compassion and perseverance, Hadassah has kept the eternal light of Henrietta‘s Szold’s vision burning brightly even as it has grown into an organization with over 300,000 members, associates and supporters.

A zissen Pesach to all!

Collier/Lee Hadassah celebrated inspiring women at second annual event

By Diane Schwartz

With over 30 years of experience, I help eliminate the guesswork in choosing the right senior living community that meets your needs and preferences. I look beyond the fancy décor and evaluate facilities on:

Resident satisfaction

Health care violations

Collier/Lee Hadassah proudly celebrated and honored three women as its 2023 Inspiring Women event:

• Dr. Jaclynn Fa er, president/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples and a visionary community leader and human services executive

• Gail Markham, the founding partner of Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. Certified Public

Accountants and Consultants. Markham is a well-known and recognized community leader and philanthropist.

• Mia Hyatt, vice president and private banker in the Naples o ce of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Hyatt is a private wealth advisor and noted community leader.

Each honoree received the Lynn Wilner Award in recognition of the chapter’s late past president who inspired so many to join and become active in Hadassah.

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, Gail Markham and Mia Hyatt after each receiving the Lynn Wilner Award

Simply Put: Homeowners Despise Roaches!

by Anna Wallace, Truly Nolen

As Spring takes hold, families in Southwest Florida are planning to get together for Passover celebrations and are looking forward to loved ones returning home from college. One unwelcome visitor no matter the month is the dreaded cockroach.

Cockroaches typically have six spiny legs and two long antennae. American cockroaches, which like hot, humid conditions and have fully developed wings, and German cockroaches, implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people, are the two most common species that are found in the southwestern United States.

A very common pest, cockroaches are nocturnal and remain in the dark whenever possible, only emerging to search for water and food. Large infestations should be suspected when cockroaches are seen in the open or in the light during the day. Cockroaches have lived off the bare essentials with few changes since their creation millions of years ago.

They have become such widespread pests because they thrive on very little. Contrary to popular belief, they aren't simply attracted to

messy households, although that will extend their stay. They simply require three things: water, food, and warm shelter

In addition, cockroaches typically prefer damp, warm places and usually reproduce quickly in garages, sewers, attics, storerooms and similar locations, and then enter the home from outside breeding sites. For every one you see there can be many, many more hiding and multiplying behind your walls.

Cockroaches can get into the cleanest of living spaces because in most situations, we unknowingly bring them home. They can be found behind refrigerators, sinks and stoves, as well as under floor drains and inside of motors and major appliances. If you can't find any of them during the day, check cupboards and pantries for their droppings.

Cockroaches affect more people than any other insect. They vomit partly-digested food materials and continually defecate while eating and pose significant health hazards by transmitting diseases (bacillary dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, polio, amoebic dysentery, urinary-tract infections, diarrhea, and infectious hepatitis). The debris created by

cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies and droppings can aggravate allergies, especially in children and sensitive individuals. Furthermore, contact with cockroach allergens can cause mild to severe rashes, other allergic reactions and in extreme cases death from asthma attacks.

Some ways to prevent an outbreak before you may need a pest control professional include eliminating water (do not let water stand in sinks and eliminate outside collection areas), eliminating food sources (dispose garbage properly and wipe off counter tops often), and eliminate harborages (discard unnecessary cardboard boxes and pull mulch away from your home).

(Anna Wallace is the Manager for Truly Nolen in Naples. Her 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 more about the roach services we provide, please visit https://trulynolen.com/pest-control/roaches/.)

TV painter, broken color line, smart zombie series, and more Stars of David

By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

Editor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identi ed 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 identi ed as Jewish.

“Paint”

Opening in theaters on April 7, “Paint” centers on Carl Nargle (Owen Wilson), who has hosted Vermont’s No. 1 painting (TV) show for about 30 years. ( e Nargle character is clearly inspired by the late Bob Ross of PBS fame. But Carl is not nearly as famous as Ross was.)

ings change when Carl’s TV station hires a younger, better painter and “steals” everything (and everyone) that Carl loves.

Michela Watkins, 51, has second billing as “Katherine,” but advance publicity doesn’t disclose her exact connection to Carl. You “know” Watkins — even though it’s hard to point to a “signature credit.”

“Sweetwater”

In theaters April 14, “Sweetwater” chronicles the career of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was one of the rst two African American players to break the NBA “color line” in 1950. (Two Black players broke into the NBA within days of each other). Clifton played for the NY Knicks from 1950-57.

A number of real-life Jews are featured in the lm. It would take a column to lay out who they were and why they are important to the Clifton story. Here they are, with their titles and the actor playing them: Maurice Podolo (Richard Dreyfuss, 75), highly respected attorney and head of the NBA in 1950; Joe Laphick (Jeremy Piven, 57), he was the coach of the Knicks in 1950 and a great player before coaching; Abe Saperstein (Kevin Pollak, 65), founder and coach of the all-black Harlem Globetrotters. Clifton played for the Trotters before joining the Knicks; Eddie Gottlieb, big-time coach (Mike Star)

“The Last of Us”

I was reluctant to watch “ e Last of Us,” a “dystopian” HBO series that premiered in January and ended its rst season a week ago. I like a relatively quick conclusion and I’m tired of movies and series that are set in a “screwed-up” ctional world and go on and on (sequels or new seasons).

For example, “ e Walking Dead,” about a zombie apocalypse, ran 11(!) seasons. It concluded when viewers would no longer watch repetitive storylines.

“ e Last of Us” may “go the way” of “ e Walking Dead.” But, right now, it is an exciting, very well-written program. I tuned in and “binge-watched” it when I saw great reviews and articles that said that HBO had its biggest ratings hit since “Games of rones.”

Here’s the essential setup: in 2003, a mutant fungus infects people all over the world. ere is no vaccine or treatment.

e infection turns victims into zombies whose only aim is to infect other people

(via a bite). The storyline focuses on Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), a small-time construction contractor who deftly stays uninfected. In ashbacks, and jumps forward, we follow him from 2003 to 2023. (No Jewish actor has appeared in a main or important guest role).

“Last” is based on a series of very popular and literate(!) video games (entitled “Naughty Dog”). For the most part, the plot of the rst HBO season, and the characters, were created for the video game rst. e original video game and its sequels were created by and written (scripts) by Neil Druckmann, 44. He was born in Israel, and lived there until 1989, when his family moved to the States. He has the technical ability to create video games (programming, etc.) and the talent to write very good stories.

Druckmann and Craig Mazin, 51, co-created the HBO series and Mazin has adapted the video scripts for the HBO

continued on page 2A

PASSOVER ASSSOOVER R

SECOND ECOND NIGHT IGHT SEDER EDER

Thursday, April 6 at 6:00pm

Join us for the richness of tradition, the warmth of community, and a delicious Passover meal!

Catering by Crave Culinaire

Temple members - $100/person

Non-members - $125/person

Children 12 & under - FREE

Your payment is your reservation. Deadline to register is March 27. Sorry, walk-ins cannot be accommodated

Register online: tinyurl.com/TSSeder2023 or call 239-455-3030

Temple Shalom

4630 Pine Ridge Road

Naples, FL 34119

National Geographic announces premiere date for limited series “A Small Light”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 15, 2023) – e new limited series “A Small Light” focuses on the inspiring, real-life story of Miep Gies, who played a critical role in hiding Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. To honor Miep on what would have been her 114th birthday, National Geographic announced the powerful limited series, produced by ABC Signature and Keshet Studios, will premiere on Monday, May 1, at 9 p.m. (EST) on National Geographic with two back-to-back episodes. New episodes will debut every Monday at 9 and 10 p.m. on National Geographic and will stream the next day on Disney+.

Told with a modern sensibility, “A Small Light” tells the remarkable true story of secretary Miep Gies (Bel Powley), who was a young, carefree and opinionated woman — at a time when opinions got you killed — when her boss, Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber), asked her to help hide his family from the Nazis during WWII.

Without hesitation, Miep agreed.

For the next two years, she and her daring and devoted husband, Jan (Joe Cole), with several other everyday heroes, watched over the Frank, van Pels and Pfe er families hiding in the secret annex.

A life once lled with parties and pints, the series details how Miep’s life changed the moment she said “yes.” From daily food runs to scrounging for ration coupons to selling beloved heirlooms, it took countless selfless sacrifices. In the end, it was Miep who found Anne Frank’s diary and preserved it so that she and Otto could later share it with the world to ensure it served as a testament for generations to come.

SEASON

Saturday, April 22, 2023 3:00pm

The concert will be held at: Moorings Presbyterian Church 791 Harbour Drive, Naples

The concert will be followed by a reception for all concert attendees

Filmed on location in Amsterdam and Prague, “A Small Light” also reveals that in addition to hiding the eight souls in the annex from the Nazis, the brave couple was simultaneously hiding many others in and around Amsterdam with the help of the Dutch Resistance.

Powley’s erce performance shakes the cobwebs o history and makes Miep’s story feel relevant and timely, forcing audiences to ask themselves what they would have done in Miep’s shoes; and,

stars of david...continued from page 1A

series. He is best known for writing and directing the HBO series “Chernobyl.”

“So Help Me Todd”

in modern times, asking if they would have the courage to stand up to hatred. e series title comes from something Miep said late in her life: “I don’t like being called a hero because no one should ever think you have to be special to help others. Even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can turn on a small light in a dark room.”

Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, creators and executive producers, said, “People may know the story of Anne Frank and her family, but what happened outside the annex walls was just as powerful, inspiring and resonant. When we heard about Miep and Jan’s inherent strength in risking their lives for others during the occupation, we were blown away. “A Small Light” is a true story that should never be forgotten. We hope it leaves a lasting impact on viewers and helps to show the importance of discovering untold stories of the Holocaust and the lessons it continues to teach.”

Additional cast includes Amira Casar, who plays Edith Frank, mother to Margot and Anne; Billie Boullet, who portrays Anne Frank; Ashley Brooke, who plays Anne’s older sister, Margot Frank; Andy Nyman as Hermann van Pels, Caroline Catz as Auguste van Pels, Rudi Goodman as Peter van Pels, and Noah Taylor as Dr. Fritz Pfe er, who all hid in the annex with the Frank family; Eleanor Tomlinson as Tess, Miep’s best friend; Sally Messham as Bep Voskuijl, Ian McElhinney as Johannes Kleiman and Nicholas Burns as Victor Kugler, Miep’s coworkers; Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Stoppelman; Laurie Kynaston as Casmir; and Sebastian Armesto as Max Stoppelman.

“A Small Light” is produced by ABC Signature and Keshet Studios for National Geographic. Executive producers and writers Joan Rater and Tony Phelan (ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and CBS’ “Fire Country”) serve as showrunners, and DGA Award winner and Emmy®-nominated executive producer Susanna Fogel (“ e Flight Attendant,” “Cat Person”) directs multiple episodes, including the pilot. Executive producers are Peter Traugott and Lisa Roos for Keshet Studios, Alon Shtruzman for Keshet International and Avi Nir for Keshet Media Group.

he does well at his mother’s rm, he can quickly get back his license.

$40/Single ticket

Last September, I very brie y noted the premiere of the CBS drama “So Help Me Todd.” is series stars Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret Wright, a buttoneddown, tough defense attorney. Her son, Todd, played by co-star Skyler Astin, 30, screws up as a private investigator and loses his license. His mother, however, can legally hire him as an investigator for her law rm and that’s what she does. Wright gures she can keep a close eye on Todd. Todd gures if

Reviews have been pretty good, and the series drew a big enough audience that it was renewed for a second season last month.

Harden won a best supporting actress Oscar for playing painter Lee Krasner (1908-1984), in the 2000 movie "Pollock." It’s about the famous abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock. Krasner was married to Pollock.

By coincidence, I recently looked up Krasner’s bio and was surprised to learn that her reputation has soared since “Pollock” opened. Krasner’s paintings now often sell for a million dollars or more.

Some stood by. She stood up.

Featured cello soloist for

Adam Satinsky

Our New Artistic Director Alvin Ho

Chad Gadya — why a goat?

Why, you may ask, have Jews always celebrated goats?

By Arlene Stolnitz

Editor’s note: is is a repeat of this column’s April 2022 article due to its timeliness.

Why? Because they have always lived with goats. In every shtetl, even the poorest family kept a goat to provide milk for the children. roughout the centuries, Jews have identi ed with the klor vays tsigele, the small white goat, a familiar gure 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 sacri ce 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

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

literature. I recently read “ e 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, you can cook porridge with milk, you can make a milk soup for dinner, noodles and milk for supper and, besides, you can count on a pitcher of sour cream, a piece of cheese, a bit of butter. ink of it. If we only had a goat! … ere is an ancient law that every Jew must own a goat. Let me quote you…”

Arlene Stolnitz

is small, useful animal was important in ancient civilizations, especially in the Fertile Crescent. Goats were animals of unique intelligence, virility and behavior. Because of their usefulness and hardiness, the goat is often depicted as a symbol of fertility, abundance, aggression and good luck in many ancient cultures. It is clear to me that, through the centuries, goats played an important role both in household and temple rituals.

So, back to the beginning…why a goat? Let’s go back in time. My research shows that goats have been around as far back as prehistoric times. Goats were the first animal to be tamed by humans and were being herded over 9,000 years ago! Earliest remnants of domesticated goats were found in Iran over 10,000 years ago.

My interest in goats was piqued when I visited the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA. eir logo is a goat, and I was curious to know why they had chosen this as their symbol. And all of this led me to the article you are reading today.

Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sarasota Jewish Chorale, is a member of the Jewish Congregation of Venice. A retired educator from Rochester, New York, she has sung in choral groups for over 25 years and also sings in e Venice Chorale. Her interest in the preservation of Jewish music of all kinds has led to this series of articles on Jewish Folk Music in the Diaspora.

Avoiding trauma at the Seder table

Aging Jewishly – What our traditions teach us about growing old

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

With the “good dishes” gracing the table, wine glasses gleaming and places set for 26 guests, the annual Passover Seder was, as PopPop pronounced, “ready for prime time.” But in seconds, the tranquility of the evening was disturbed by the shrieks of the two youngest granddaughters.

“It’s my turn to put the parsley on the plates,” said granddaughter Keeley.

“Uh Uh, no way. at’s the job I always do,” was granddaughter Naomi’s response.

“Well, I’m in charge of the parsley this year!” Keeley yelled.

“No way.” Naomi shot back. e girls continued what was escalating into a big ght until Bubby intervened.

“Girls, Girls, this year, like we always do, we’ll be dipping parsley in salt water but this year we have a Sephardic family joining us, so we’ll be dipping celery in vinegar as well. ere’s no need to ght. You both have jobs to do.”

at’s when PopPop looked up from his iPad and commented, “I wish all of our family quarrels could be resolved so easily. Some of our Seder dinners turned into battle-grounds. Frankly, I don’t look forward to family gatherings so much anymore.”

Bubby agreed. “Remember last Passover, when we got to the Ten Plagues and our son wanted to go around the table a second time to list modern day plagues …”

“Oy vey, what a mess! When politics got into the mix, we almost had a

st ght at the table! What’s it going to be like this year?

Bubby's and PopPop’s concerns are not unique. In recent years, controversy, particularly political concerns, have dominated traditional family gatherings — so much so that sociology and psychology experts have devoted hours of counseling time and pages in professional journals to the issue of contention around the family table.

According to the online news service, Health Partners, “Scientific research shows that we need healthy relationships in order to be in good health” and, specifically, humans need social support — that special connection with other people “who make you feel loved, heard and cared about.” However, when social support is damaged or even absent, family gatherings like Easter dinner or the Passover Seder can deteriorate into a battleground where old grievances surface, where generational di erences provoke misunderstandings and where di ering values and opinions can ignite con ict.

Just ask Andrea M. Darcy, whose article “How to Survive a Family Gathering Emotionally Intact,” appeared recently (January 2023) on the Harley erapy Mental Health Blog. Darcy’s counseling initiatives have resulted in seven steps to di use negativity when families come together.

New York Deli has arrived in Southwest Florida New York-style deli sandwiches and more brought right to your door!

Step 1: Show up neutral

Darcy cautions “If there are any lingering disagreements between you and your family members and you show up charged with either anxiety, anger or righteousness,” you have created fertile ground for having a di cult time.

Step 2: Don’t create triangles

Darcy explains that “triangles” is a group dynamics term that “refers to what happens when two people disagree and one person pulls a third bystander into the situation … that creates an “us against them” energy that can snowball into a fullblown argument.” Instead, Darcy advises “ ere is nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone in your family. But disagree by yourself. “

Step 3: Lower your expectations

Darcy emphasizes that “The less you expect from a family gathering, the more likely you are to enjoy yourself.”

Step 4: Stop judging yourself

Darcy o ers the example of the daughter who beat herself up for snapping at her father after he began his usual pattern of hurtful teasing. Alternately, it is less painful to hold reasonable expectations of your family and of yourself, acknowledging that no gathering is perfect.

Step 5: Stick to one time zone

According to Darcy, “The problem with families is that we all go way, way back. And this means we can spend every family gathering noticing what our family members do wrong, ‘just like always.’” A focus on the present rather than past annoyances allows family members to ignore past hurts and slights and enjoy the present moment as best they can.

Step 6: Save it for later

Regarding the cumulative nature of years of family turmoil, Darcy reminds us that the family gathering is rarely the place to sort out lingering issues “once and for all.” For serious issues, Darcy recommends professional support.

Step 7: When in doubt, use your ears

Darcy believes that listening is key and notes that listening is perhaps the most underrated way to avoid overacting and thus to improve relationships. Rather than nodding one’s head in agreement while thinking about a million other unrelated issues, actively listening requires staying in the “now” and re ecting back certain key phrases and pointed comments that demonstrate that the other person has been heard and understood. Where families are concerned, con ict is a given. In fact, our Jewish traditions acknowledge that it is normal for family members disagree. As a midrash emphasizes, “Even a father and son, when they sit to study Torah together, become enemies to one another. But they do not move from there until they have become beloved to one another.”

Here’s hoping that none of us leaves the Seder table until we’ve reestablished respect, compassion and the bonds of love.

Note: Link to the complete article by Andrea Darcey: https://www.harleytherapy. co.uk/counselling/family-gathering-tips.htm

For 10 years, Rabbi Barbara Aiello served the Aviva Campus for Senior Life 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 rst Reconstructionist synagogue. Contact her at rabbi@rabbibarbara.com.

We are proud to announce the addition of the following items to our menu for Passover: Homemade Gefilte Fish • Carrot Tzimmes

We always have: Matzoh Ball Soup • Brisket • Roast Chicken • Kugel We are also offering a package that includes all of the above!

We anticipate high demand and limited quantities, and advise ordering well in advance.

As always, please go to katznydeli.com, click on the orange button to see the menu and order, or call (239) 291-8340

Rabbi Barbara Aiello

“Wear it with pride, the yellow star!”

By Paul R. Bartrop, Professor Emeritus of History, Florida Gulf Coast University

Ninety years ago this month, in April 1933, a massive statement of Jewish self-assertion in the light of Nazi antisemitism was made by Robert Weltsch, the prewar editor of a twice-weekly Berlin Jewish newspaper, the Jüdische Rundschau (Jewish Review).

Born on June 20, 1891, to a longestablished Jewish family in Prague, his father, eodore Weltsch, was an active member of the Jewish community and played an important administrative role in communal organizations.

Robert Weltsch studied law at the Karl-Ferdinand German University of Prague, where he joined Bar Kochba, a Zionist student association to which many young Jewish intellectuals were attracted. He served as the association’s leader in 1911-1912. Between 1910 and 1914, he published articles in Germanlanguage Zionist newspapers, an activity he continued when serving as an o cer on the Russian front in the AustroHungarian army during World War I.

After the war, Weltsch became editorin-chief of the Jüdische Rundschau in Berlin, where he would remain until he left Germany in 1938. A committed Zionist, he was keen to develop the idea of a joint Jewish-Arab commonwealth for Palestine, in which statehood would be rarely discussed and never advocated.

One of the reasons behind his opposition to a singular Jewish state in Palestine stemmed from his reaction to any form of nationalism or chauvinism, which he

attributed to the horrors of war. Given this, he was fearful as to where the organized Zionist movement might lead.

Accordingly, he became one of the leading lights of the movement Brit Shalom, which advocated a bi-national Arab-Jewish presence in Palestine focusing on ideals such as political equality, cultural autonomy and socioeconomic coexistence. is led to hostility from some circles within the Zionist movement and, periodically, there were unsuccessful moves to have him removed as editor of the Jüdische Rundschau.

As one who wielded in uence within the German Jewish community through the pages of his newspaper, Weltsch saw that he had an important responsibility to somehow accommodate Nazi antisemitic measures while at the same time showing that the Jewish community would not be cowed.

On April 1, 1933, the Nazis organized a boycott of all Jewish shops, banks, o ces and department stores in what was arguably the rst overtly antisemitic measure adopted by the new Nazi government, and it was a failure.

Weltsch, alert to the possibilities the boycott signi ed for the future, reacted by publishing an article on April 4, which became famous as one of the earliest Jewish responses to Nazi anti-Jewish persecution. Entitled “Tragt ihn mit Stolz, den gelben Fleck!” (known by its English title as “Wear it with Pride, the Yellow Badge!”), Weltsch’s editorial was a call for the Jews of Germany to recognize the reality of

their situation and confront their changed situation with dignity and in solidarity.

He wrote that, in view of the new regime, “Today the Jews cannot speak except as Jews. Anything else is utterly senseless. ... We live in a new period … indicating that the world of our previous concepts has collapsed. at may be painful for many, but in this world only those will be able to survive who are able to look reality in the eye.” He continued, in italics, that in view of the Jewish self-deception that they would always be accepted as Germans, “It is not true that the Jews betrayed Germany. If they betrayed anyone, it was themselves, the Jews. Because the Jew did not display his Judaism with pride, because he tried to avoid the Jewish issue, he must bear part of the blame for the degradation of the Jews.”

Paul Bartrop

thoroughly integrated part of German society. Now that the Jews were being marked out, he was alerting them to the need to unite in view of what was now their “difference” from mainstream society — a metaphoric “yellow star,” so to speak.

He noted that, during the boycott, one often saw “windows bearing a large Magen David, the Shield of David the King. It was intended as dishonor.” Given this development, in which “the Jew is marked as a Jew” with “the yellow badge,” he now called upon the Jews of Germany to “take it up, the Shield of David, and wear it with pride!”

While the Nazis did not actually require Jews to wear yellow armbands with the Star of David until September 19, 1941, Weltsch was instead referring to a German-Jewish community that had, until that time, seen itself as a

During these early years of the ird Reich, Weltsch made trips to Palestine, reporting back to the Jüdische Rundschau on what he saw there. Though unconvinced that Palestine was the right place for German Jews to live, he tried to encourage them to leave Germany. He was, however, concerned that whatever befell Germany’s Jews would, soon enough, extend across all of Europe, so any refuge — including Palestine — would have to be considered. War, he held, would mean that all German Jews “would be lost.”

He also acknowledged that, with things getting worse by the day, he would be lucky to escape with his life, something he was able to do in September 1938, when he left Germany for Palestine.

He worked there for many years as a correspondent for the newspaper Haaretz and, in 1945, moved to London as the newspaper’s European correspondent, covering the Nuremberg Trials during 1945-1946. He remained in London as a political journalist until his return to Jerusalem in 1978, where he died on December 22, 1982 at age 91.

At just 16-years-old, Abraham Piasecki’s life is uprooted by the Nazi invasion of Poland. From living in the ghetto of Kielce to imprisonment at Auschwitz- Birkenau, Remember brings to life the harrowing true story of a Holocaust Survivor who escaped Nazi captivity five times. This immersive, challenging, and ultimately captivating story of resilience brings us into one man’s memories and asks us to never forget.

The best part of Passover

By Chef Dalia

The best part of Passover is when it’s over. One of the most special parts of the holiday for me has always been Mimouna, a Moroccan tradition that celebrates the end of Pesach, the return to eating chametz. Mimouna is one of my favorite holidays of the entire year. After a full week of eating matzo and lots of potatoes, the end of Pesach really feels like freedom as we patiently await the Mimouna (pronounced mee-moo-nah) celebration. In my Moroccan family, we calmly count the minutes for this special occasion to come.

When I was growing up in Israel, the way my family nished Passover was very di erent from most of my friends’ families. My age group was mostly Ashkenazi Jews and, as the holiday ended, their parents would obediently pack away their Passover dishes for another year. In our small Ja a apartment, though, something paranormal was happening. My parents — immigrants from Morocco and Spain — were preparing for one of the best parts of our family’s Jewish year, a remarkable celebration called Mimouna.

Mimouna, which falls on the night when Passover ends, is one of Sephardic Judaism’s most beautiful celebrations. For our family, it was an all-night party. My mother, dressed in a beautiful kaftan,

Mufleta Recipe

Ingredients

Yeast

3 cups warm water

1 tsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. salt

About 7½ cups unbleached all-purpose our

About 1 cup vegetable oil for dipping

Melted butter for drizzling

Honey for drizzling

Instructions

1. Dissolve the yeast in ½ cup water. Stir in the sugar and let stand until foamy, 5

would lay out a luxurious spread of Moroccan sweets on our Mimouna table — marzipan pastries, dates and fried dough pancakes dipped in honey, called mu eta, to name just a few. My father would crank up Arabic music on the stereo. We’d swing open the doors and welcome scores of guests — fellow Moroccan Jews, Israelis, Muslims, Christians and a fair share of neighbors who just wanted to see what the excitement was all about.

My mom describes the eve of the Mimouna, where families held a gathering, like an “open house,” where anyone could stop by, enjoy a sweet treat and visit with others. Since it was an open house, everyone was welcome, no questions asked. When the mu ettot (the plural of mu uletta, the yeasted pancake served at Mimouna) were served, blessings for prosperity, fertility, luck and success were o ered. Visitors who were single at the time were blessed to nd a partner for marriage so that they could build a Jewish home together.

If you’ve never been to a post Passover Mimouna celebration, you have no idea what you’ve been missing. is Moroccan tradition is celebrated by inviting friends and relatives over to enjoy table after table of prepared pastries and sweet treats that hail from North African Jewish cuisine. Traditionally, many of the

to 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, remaining water, salt and 4 cups our. Gradually add enough remaining our to make dough slightly softer than regular bread dough. On a lightly oured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

2. Divide the dough into 40 egg-sized balls. e traditional way is to grab the mass of dough and squeeze the desired amount between a fore nger and thumb, then twist and pinch o the protruding ball. Dip and roll the balls in the oil to coat, place on a at surface and let stand for 30 minutes.

cookies are adorned with marzipan owers and mint leaves.

During Passover, we restrict leavened dough and Mimouna celebrates all the delicious, leavened dough that we return to our dietary repertoire. Traditionally, in my family, we make s nge for Mimouna, which is a Moroccan donut that we also eat on Hanukkah. We also eat various traditional cookies, some stu ed with dates, almonds, pistachios and chocolate, and others with rose water and coconut. My family, which loves to bake and cook, is big on fancy presentation, so Mimouna ends up showcasing a plentiful spread of the most beautiful desserts.

However, the most popular dish served on this night is a thin yeast pancake called mu eta, which is eaten spread with butter and honey. Mu eta is the most favorite part of the celebration, and the Mimouna simply wouldn’t be complete without it.

Mimouna is rst and foremost about opening up your home and, no matter how many people show up, there’s always plenty of room and food for everyone. at’s part of the sweet magic of Mimouna. ere are no formal invitations, and food is abundant and seemingly endless. e traditional greeting at Mimouna is Tirbah u’tissad (May you prosper and succeed), and it seems that

3. Heat an ungreased large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat.

4. On an oiled at surface and using oiled hands, atten the balls into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Cook the dough rounds until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until golden and cooked through, about 1 minute. Cover the mu etas with a kitchen towel until serving to keep soft. Eat warm, drizzled with butter and honey.

the atmosphere of wealth and success hovers over every Mimouna.

On ursday night, April 13, I am going to host a Mimouna celebration — a traditional Israeli Mimouna fest to celebrate the end of Passover exactly like I use to do in Israel. Come, listen to traditional music, connect with friends and, of course, eat mu eta, the Moroccan crepe-like pancakes dipped in honey. Drop by if you want to join in the fun!

Even if you can’t get to my house, Israel or Morocco to join in one of the many community parties, you can get in on the Mimouna celebrations by trying your hand at mu eta. It takes a bit of practice to make perfectly but are easy to make.

Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can be reached at

1

FACT: Every Passover we open the door for Elijah, the Hebrew prophet whose unseen presence is felt helping people Throughout the world.

2

FACT: We invite Elijah in to drink from his cup on our Seder table.

3

FACT: He never drinks. What’s up with that?

4

FACT: The cup isn’t actually for Elijah. It’s for us. To remind us of all the times we’ve been helped by his unseen hand, and to inspire us to return the favor.

ELIJAH. TEETOTALER.

Fact or fiction?

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 jbialek@porterwright.com

Dignity for the body, peace for the soul

By Malka Forshner, SW Florida Chevra Kadisha

My rst encounter with Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) was when my mother passed away 24 years ago. I was clueless. All I knew was that “they” would take care of “everything.” And they did, quickly, quietly and professionally. She was buried according to our age-old traditions — simple shrouds, no makeup, no fancy casket, in-ground burial — as our ancestors have done since the very rst Jew, Abraham, purchased the eld of the Machpela in Hebron to bury his wife, Sara.

Fast forward to 10 years ago, when I was asked to attend a training session for prospective members of the Chevra Kadisha — a job I never thought I’d do but remembered four Jewish women did for my mother somewhere in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Now it was my turn to do the mitzvah.

So, what’s the deal with Jewish burial? We all really need to know, since there is a shockingly high rate of cremation, not just in the population at large but within our Jewish community. One or two generations ago, this was unheard of. A generation of Jews was beyond shocked with grief when they heard the unfathomable report of the crematoriums of Nazi Germany. e notion of doing that to one of our own was unthinkable. Reform, conservative, orthodox or una liated, we could not, would not, entertain such a plan.

But every generation has its challenges, and one of ours is insipid media pressure to consider the cremation option as

1) more ecological, 2) more suited to the demographics of parents and children not living in the same geographic area,

3) cleaner and quicker, and 4) cheaper (that last argument is the only valid one, but a myriad of Jewish organizations will help with that).

Fast forward to just a month ago, when we hosted an extensive training session for current and prospective members of this organization, right here, for residents of Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota

counties. We were educated by the Florida representative of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha, Rabbi Jay Lyons (Nasck.org), a man of vast knowledge and sensitivity on the topic of Jewish burial and all it entails.

Why do you need to know about our organization, especially if you’ve never had the notion to perform this particular mitzvah? (You should know it’s the only mitzvah called “chesed shel emes” – “the kindness of truth,” since we can never expect to get the favor returned) You need to know about us because you’ll need our services. It’s for every Jew, and you shouldn’t assume that it happens automatically.

We are here for every Jew, and we hope that all your loved ones (and you) have the proper paperwork in place so that, when the time comes, there will be no concerns or delays about how everything should be done.

To quote a brochure written by the renowned Doron Kornbluth, author of “Cremation or Burial:” “Why should I care if I am dead anyway? Our bodies are a gift, and we have no right to hurt ourselves in life or death. Cremation is often chosen due to social or cultural in uences based on misconceptions about its impact on our family, our soul, our environment and our Jewish traditions ... On a deeper … level, when a soul departs from its body … it has a much greater understanding of the spiritual implications of cremation. Looking “down” at its body, there is nothing a soul wants more than a proper Jewish burial. No matter how religious you were or weren’t, choosing burial means: you were born a Jew and want to be remembered as a Jew.”

Do you need help with this decision or nding the proper paperwork to make sure everything will go smoothly at the right time? Do you want reading material? We’re here to assist you in attaining dignity for the body and peace for the soul. Email us at sw oridachevrakadisha@ gmail.com.

FIDF holds emergency briefing with search and rescue delegation in Turkey

Kahramanmaraş, Turkey (Feb. 15, 2023) – As the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) humanitarian delegation concluded its mission to rescue individuals from the destruction and treat the injured following the Feb. 6 earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, Friends of the IDF (FIDF) yesterday held a special live emergency brie ng on their heroic e orts. e brie ng, live from the earthquake site, was given by Col. Elad Edri, commander of the IDF Search and Rescue Brigade and commander of the Humanitarian Medical Aid Delegation in Turkey. Major (Res.) Dr. Daniel King, an intensive-care-unit specialist at the IDF’s eld hospital, also joined the brie ng.

In the brie ng, Edri and King discussed the IDF’s tremendous efforts to save lives and rescue people trapped underneath the rubble of destroyed buildings, and the enormous undertaking of treating the countless wounded victims.

King reinforced the impact support from across seas has had on the soldiers, who at a moment’s notice left their daily lives to provide aid.

"It’s very hard to be so far away from our homes, sleeping on the oor, with no water,” said King during the brie ng. “To know that people out there around the world, Friends of the IDF, are supporting us, thinking about us and understand what we are doing, is deeply important.”

For the mission, which Israel dubbed “Operation Olive Branches,” the IDF sent nearly 400 specialists in two teams — the search and rescue delegation and the medical delegation.

The first group consisted of 150 personnel, led by the IDF Home Front Command. Several hours after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated the region, the IDF unit departed Israel for Turkey, part of an enormous, international rescue e ort. e brigade has played a critical role in 31 major humanitarian missions worldwide after disasters struck, including the 2021 collapse of a high-rise building in Surfside, Florida.

The soldiers in the delegation are among Israel’s elite and experienced experts in rescue operations. As of Feb. 13, after six full days on the ground, the IDF delegation concluded its activities and returned to Israel. It rescued 19 people from the earthquake zone; the youngest was 2 years old and the eldest a 65-year-old man.

e Search and Rescue Brigade is an FIDF-adopted unit. Adopted brigades receive multifaceted support from FIDF. e program bene ts a brigade’s soldiers with funds dedicated to both their nancial welfare and emotional well-being. It also gives units direct connections to their donors in the United States, which

greatly boosts morale, as soldiers feel support from across oceans. FIDF’s donors thereby were personally connected to the soldiers on the ground in Turkey.

e 230-member medical delegation, including members of the IDF Medical Corps and Ministry of Defense, landed in Turkey on Feb. 7 to provide aid to the tens of thousands injured. e team consisted of highly trained o cers and soldiers from the IDF Medical Corps, search and rescue personnel from the Home Front Command, and doctors, nurses and paramedics from the Ministry of Health. On Friday, Feb. 10, the medical delegation, led by the deputy IDF surgeon general and the head of the IDF’s Medical Department, took on the enormous task of reopening a local hospital in the city

of Kahramanmaraş that was abandoned during the earthquake.

The group treated more than 180 patients, including 10 injured in Syria and brought over to Turkey, with stateof-the-art Israeli medical equipment and advanced technique. Approximately 140 doctors, nurses, a pharmacist, an X-ray technician, paramedics and medical logistics personnel constituted the team. e medical delegation departed Turkey Feb. 15, leaving supplies and equipment to the Turkish medical authorities.

Since the teams arrived in Turkey, FIDF was in constant contact with the IDF about needs on the ground. Olive Branches’ medical delegation asked for FIDF’s support to fund lifesaving medical equipment for use at the hospital, including portable X-ray machines, de brillators, ventilators, EKG machines, ultrasound machines and CPR airway suction devices. IDF also requested equipment for the eld, such as in atable tents to create a sterile environment for surgical procedures and coolers to transport blood.

About Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF):

FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(c)(3) notfor-pro t organization with the mission of transforming the lives of the young men and women of the IDF who protect Israel and Jews worldwide through empowering educational, nancial, well-being and cultural initiatives. FIDF proudly supports soldiers before, during and after their service, as well as families of fallen soldiers and wounded veterans. www. df.org.

Photo credit: Courtesy of FIDF

Jewish National Fund-USA’s Breakfast for Israel Explores the Legacy of David Ben-Gurion

Naples, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023 — On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, nearly 200 philanthropists and pro-Israel community members in Naples attended Jewish National Fund-USA’s Breakfast for Israel at e Baker Museum at Artis— Naples. This annual signature event in the region celebrated the upcoming 75th anniversary of Israel’s Independence.

“We are blessed to have good homes and communities to return to, places to work and schools to send our children,” said Nancy Kaplan, member of the organization’s Naples Board of Directors, in her remarks at the breakfast. “Our synagogues and Hebrew schools are vibrant and alive with young people and small children — the next generation — who look to their own futures with hope and wonder. Many of them will one day get to go to Israel to visit, study or live. Along the way, Jewish National Fund-USA will be there to connect them to their eternal homeland, a place we, as family, are entrusted to ensure remains secure and vital. ere can only be one constant in our lives and theirs; that Israel maintains its existence, that the great hope for peace is realized, and that our people will always have a Jewish homeland to turn to when in need.”

e event featured Alon Ben-Gurion, the grandson of the state of Israel’s rst prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. His keynote speech received a standing ovation and addressed the legacy of David Ben-Gurion as a statesman, father and

grandfather; how he is actively promoting development in Israel’s Negev Desert, working to make the region bloom; and how his grandfather’s vision is being brought to life through Jewish National Fund-USA’s game-changing initiatives in Israel’s north and south.

Cary Barbor, a reporter with WGCU, Southwest Florida’s NPR station, attended the event to interview Ben-Gurion about Israel’s role in the world as the country prepares to reach this incredible milestone, as well as his thoughts about the rise in antisemitism.

Ben-Gurion quoted his grandfather’s vision in the interview: “Our historic yearning has been for a new society built on liberty, equality, tolerance, mutual aid and love for man,” he said. “A society without exploitation and discrimination, slavery or tyranny. Our stance in the world will not be determined by our supposed material wealth nor by our military might but by the moral light of our understanding. And, although there are some shadows, among them heavy shadows in our lives now, we have the grounds to believe that we can be an example nation.”

Other highlights from the event included announcements regarding the organization’s not-to-be-missed Israel@75 mission to Israel in April, Jewish National Fund-USA’s 2023 Global Conference for Israel, taking place in Denver from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, and that the organization

had reached its ambitious $1 billion fundraising goal for its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade initiative 10 months ahead of schedule.

For more information or to learn about future events in Naples, contact Joshua Mellits, director, Western Florida and Orlando at jmellits@jnf.org or call 941-462-1330 x865.

About Jewish National Fund-USA

JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic

organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south. rough its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs and heritage site preservation. Learn more at jnf.org.

Josh Mellits, JNF-USA director, Western Florida and Orlando; Neil Braverman, member, JNF-USA Naples Board of Directors; and David Braverman, president, Naples Board of Directors

Rabbi Adam Miller, member, JNF-USA Naples Board of Directors; Stuart Price, member, JNF-USA Naples Board of Directors; Alon Ben-Gurion; and Estelle Price, member, JNF-USA Naples Board of Directors. Photo credit: Ted Epstein

Justice, mercy and humility

Rabbi Ammos Chorny

Acouple weeks ago, a congregant confessed having a very di cult time contending with the laws of slavery outlined in the current cycle of Torah readings and, of course, he got me thinking and searching for ways to better relate to the subject.

at is how I came across a remarkable passage in the Mishnah Torah — Maimonides’ code of Jewish law — in which he goes out of his way to state that notwithstanding the fact that the law of the Torah may permit something (the passage concerns slavery, speci cally the treatment of the non-Jewish slave), a good Jew would much rather follow a more merciful path. He explains that “even though this is the law, the quality of mercy and the ways of wisdom teach one should be merciful and pursue righteousness and not act unjustly … as cruelty and harshness are the ways of [the world],

while Israel — who were taught by the Holy One through the bene cence of the Torah — must be merciful toward all.”

ere is a prominent and well-documented dictum in our tradition that suggests that the importance of “going beyond the requirements of the law,” ought to be applied primarily to matters of ethics and morals. However, as we set out on our yearly quest for special products for Passover, it is clear that, over the past few decades, the prevalence of glatt kosher products — termed mehadrin — seem to have proliferated beyond all expectations. Not only can one nd glatt kosher meat, but also sh, vegetables and even water. is is strange, considering that the label “glatt" can only be applied to the way in which meat is examined after slaughtering. Under a certain light, we can understand the term has come to mean “extra strict supervision,” or the supervision by rabbis that are more trusted in certain circles. But the phenomenon has reached the point where, although one would be happy to eat products simply labeled “kosher,” it has become harder and harder to nd them.

If people want to add an extra dimension of stringency to their religious

practice, that is their right, but I wonder why this extra strictness is con ned only to ritual rather than to ethical behavior. Whenever I hear about “glatt,” I recall Rabbi Heschel’s comment that we need a “mashgiah” (supervisor/overseer) not just for food but for other things such as lashon hara (gossip) as well.

In rabbinic literature, we have the concept of “midat hassidut” (the quality of piety) in which an individual goes beyond the strict requirements of law to fulfill the Torah’s injunction to “keep the way of the Lord by doing what is just and right...” (Genesis 18:19). e truly pious person will not only do what the law requires but will want to know what justice and righteousness demand of him or her.

All too often, observant people look upon Judaism as a series of laws guiding them on what to do and what to avoid, making them complacent — feeling they have done what is required. But the truth is that such conduct is not su cient. We

The courage to have a real Seder

Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD

Every year, as Jews, we are exhorted to tell and retell the story of our slavery in Egypt and of our Exodus from that slavery to freedom. So, we sit down to a Seder every year and we tell the story. We do it with narrative, poetry, music, art, culinary cues and rituals. We do it as families and with friends. We do it together as communities and congregations. We do it with Jews and non-Jews. We invite “all who are hungry” to come and eat. We add new rituals and texts updating and exploring modern versions of the same hatred, distain and prejudice our people experienced by narrowminded rulers in Egypt.

Never once, in all the history of Judaism, did any of the rabbis or sages or leaders of the Jewish people ever say, “if any of the Passover story makes you feel bad you shouldn’t tell it.” ey never said, “alter the story so that it gives you a positive feeling about who you are.” ey never said, “we have to change the focal points of what we are ‘sedering’ about, so that we should feel good about ourselves.”

ey never said any of these things for a whole host of reasons: Firstly, the truth

of history is the truth of history. We need to know the truth so that we can do differently in our world.

Secondly, they intuitively knew that you can’t legislate feelings. Whatever someone is going to feel, they are going to feel, whatever that is. We don’t make judgement calls on feelings, they simply are what they are. Our feelings have a way of helping us explore who we are and grow from there.

irdly, the leaders of the Jewish people, in commanding us to tell the story over and over, knew that, if we didn’t reprise it year after year, it would disappear in future generations and it is too much an important part of our history to allow that to happen.

We are living in a time in Florida when our civic leaders and legislators are not only asking but telling us we need to change the narrative about Black history and slavery. We need to make ourselves and our students feel good about who we are and proud of our American heritage.

I don’t know this for a fact, but most people I have spoken to tell me that, after sitting at a Seder, they feel pretty good about themselves as Jews and as human beings. e Seder exhorts us to “know the heart of the stranger, because you, too, were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

You are asked to put yourself in the place of the Jewish slave and make it seem as if you, yourself, were redeemed from slavery. In doing this, we try to feel the pain and the distress. For centuries, Jewish leaders have told us to do this because it was hard, because it was painful. at is one of the ways we learn. In all the history of Judaism, we are never told we have to

would do well remembering the words of the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require of you? — only to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). We must judge our actions not against a checklist of laws, but against the greater demands of justice, mercy and humility. Without the foundation of Torah upon which we can build the ‘good life,’ our actions are little more than rote, lacking any moral passion.

Let it be God’s will that, during the forthcoming days of Passover, as we remember the plight of our ancestors in Egypt, we nd the inspiration to bring to bear Maimonides’ lesson and realize that following the “statutes of righteousness and mercy toward all,” the bene cence of Torah can ensure we eliminate “cruelty and harshness from the world.”

Chag Kasher v’Sameach!

Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah.

Just because a subject is di cult psychologically and emotionally doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taught — and taught from the point of view of truth.

tell the story from the Pharaoh’s point of view, where he might have a point about losing free labor.

Learning comes in a variety of formulations. My mother used to say, when I put my hand on a hot stove, “I guess you’ve ‘learned” to never do that again.”

e way we alter a Seder is by adding the plight of modern-day oppressed people; not by taking out what happened in the past. Whitewashing, and altering history, as civic leaders and legislators here in Florida are trying to do, serves no educational purpose whatsoever. I am not even certain it even allows people to feel better about themselves. Feeling good about yourself is important but it is not a mandatory part of the quotient of learning. I am all in, for people feeling positive about themselves, but that, in and of itself, doesn’t bring about real sustainable change nor knowledge. e philosophy of the Seder does.

A zissen Pesach to you.

Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD serves at Naples Jewish Congregation.

“WhatdoestheLordrequireof you?—onlytodojustice,tolove mercyandtowalkhumblywith yourGod”(Micah6:8)

Are we celebrating too soon?

There’s a classic Jewish joke about when a censor taker went to the Goldstein house.

“Does Louis Goldstein live here?” he asked.

“No,” replied Goldstein.

“Well, then, what is your name?”

“Louis Goldstein.”

“Wait a minute, didn’t you just tell me that Goldstein doesn’t live here?”

“Ach,” said Goldstein. “You call this living?”

I’ve been thinking about Louis. I’ve also been thinking, why do we have a huge holiday that only celebrates the very beginning of an extremely long journey?

Passover is all about the Jews leaving Egypt, and the big miracles G-d made for our ancestors to escape that slavery. But the whole point in leaving Egypt was to get to and settle the Land of Israel and, ultimately, build the Holy Temple. When the Jews left Egypt, as miraculous as it was, they still had a very long journey

ahead. ey knew they were about to trek across the desert with their children and elderly, face a lack of food and water as well as wild animals, snakes and attacks from multiple enemies. When they’d nally arrive in Israel, they’d have to work to settle each city and town while ghting o frequent invaders — and only then would they start to build the temple.

If you’re counting, that’s a 487-year journey from the time they left Egypt until the completion of the rst temple by King Solomon. Forty of those years were spent wandering the desert, the next 436 had the Jewish people busy settling the land and dealing with the invader problem, until King David nally secured things enough for King Solomon to start building. Is it not too soon to celebrate when they barely started year one?

Let’s imagine for a moment how overwhelming it must have been for the Jews who left Egypt, knowing what was ahead of them. All they’d known until then was slavery in Egypt and, while slavery is no fun, at least it was familiar and

Standing at the sea

Rabbi Adam F. Miller

One of the most powerful images we have ingrained in our minds is that of our ancestors standing at the Sea of Reeds (those who attended People of the Book learned that “Red Sea” is a mistranslation). It is an image shaped in part by retelling the Exodus story at Passover each year as we sit around the Seder table. at visual is brought into focus with help from lms like “ e 10 Commandments” and “Prince of Egypt.”

In your own mind, you can easily imagine the Israelites standing there

with Charlton Heston, OK Moses, at the edge of the sea. ey are anxious and restless, aware that Pharoah’s chariots are closing in. If you watch the lms, Moses lifts his sta — praying that the waters will part. In the Rabbinic tradition, the waters did not part at rst. Only when a man named Nachshon bravely enters the waters, believing they will part, does the sea actually split.

Either way, with the waters now separated, the Israelites rush across. Just as the last of the Israelites crosses, the waters crash down on the Egyptians, who drown as their mired chariots strand them in the sea.

Exhausted, yet still exuberant, Miriam and the women led a celebration throughout the Israelite camp. Men and women danced and sang, grateful for their freedom.

Standing at the sea, everyone was part of the people Israel. No one asked what

predictable. Moses was about to lead them into what must’ve felt like a neverending journey.

But the Jewish people took that rst step and, every year for 3,335 years, we’ve been celebrating that start with the very elaborate holiday of Passover.

Because Passover isn’t about the construction of the temple; it’s about the journey towards it. Passover celebrates that rst step out of slavery and into freedom, then all the little steps along the way. It’s a powerful perspective on life; an attitude that changes everything.

We’re all on a journey for our whole life. We have many goals we’re trying to achieve, whether it’s starting a family, growing a successful business or becoming a better person — and these things take time. If we push o happiness until we nally make it to the end, we’d all be like Louis Goldstein who never gets to enjoy what he has in life because he’s too busy thinking it could be better.

Passover teaches us to stop and celebrate every little milestone. Celebrate the day you decided to break free of an old

habit. Celebrate the day you did it just a little less than before. Celebrate when you set out on a new job. Celebrate each new thing you learn and every nice conversation along the way. Freedom is dancing between the raindrops and enjoying the journey you chose to set out on.

And remember, journeys have ups and downs. Life wasn’t all roses and peaches in the desert; the Jewish nation su ered through many low points. Just as we learn to celebrate the highs, we learn to have patience with ourselves and forgive the more di cult moments as we continue facing forward, one step at a time.

Today, when our world feels dominated by adversarial forces, life's journey may feel particularly overwhelming. And, while we need to address these issues, they need not prevent us from remembering how far we've come as a nation. We have thriving Jewish communities and can step foot on the holy soil of Israel after a (relatively) short plane ride (just ask one of our Naples family members who went on the Israel trip with us last month). We have so much to celebrate!

This Passover, may we all learn to celebrate our journeys and nd happiness in every step along the way.

Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad Jewish Center of Naples.

tribe they were from, or their ancestral heritage. All were accepted, and that has been the theme of Passover — we seek out freedom on behalf of all Jews everywhere without quali cation.

When we learned of Russian Jews who were refused the right to be Jewish or to leave the Soviet Union, we rallied to the cause of the Refusniks.

When it came to light that there were Jews in Ethiopia who sought to return to Israel, we provided the resources for them to reach the Holy Land. Like our ancestors, we did not ask “Who is a Jew? How Jewish are you?” We helped because they said they were Jews.

Our world is full of labels and distinctions. On Facebook, one nds the descriptions: Jew, liberal Jew, reform Jew, conservative Jew, secular Jew and orthodox Jew, and that is just a sampling. In our conversations about famous individuals, we talk about whether someone has one Jewish parent or distant Jewish relatives. At a time when the debate in Israel over “who is a Jew?” heats up again and our divisions are widening with tensions rising, we need to remember the feeling

of unity that we experienced during the Exodus.

Instead of seeking out ways to di erentiate ourselves — to put up walls and boundaries — we should remember the message that we read each year in the Passover Haggadah. Each one of us is called to imagine that we were there in the land of Egypt, standing in the shoes of our ancestors. We realize at that moment that there are no “good Jews;” there are no “bad Jews;” there are no half-Jews or quarter-Jews. There are just Jews — those individuals who actively identify as being part of the people Israel.

Passover is our holiday of freedom. We joyfully celebrate, grateful that the Israelites were freed from bondage and oppression under Pharaoh. This year, may we also free ourselves from the labels that bind, opening our minds so that we may embrace all of our Jewish brothers and sisters simply as Jews. In this way we will be one people — united in our faith, our heritage and our role as God’s partners called to make our world whole and holy.

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

thereareno“badJews;” there are no half-Jews orquarter-Jews.

Passover 2023

Are you looking for a Seder that is not too long, easy to follow and has a meaningful and relevant message? Great food and company, traditions explained and lots of joyous Passover spirit? Then the Chabad of Naples Community Seder is perfect for you. We will hold our very popular rst night Passover Seder. is family event is always a sell-out, so be sure to reserve your seats soon. Call the o ce at 239-2624474 for reservations or reserve online at www.chabadnaples.com/passover.

If you know of someone who needs assistance with Passover, please let us know how we can help.

Calendar 2023

If you didn't receive your special calendar that was sent out last month, please notify the o ce and we will make sure you get it.

Adult education

Our season of adult education has been amazing, with big turnouts and great learning with the two courses: De ning the Divine and Booksmart. We continue with the Hebrew reading class every ursday and a Wednesday parsha class. Come join us!

Hebrew reading

Ever wished you could follow along with more of the prayers in synagogue? Have your “Baruch Atahs” gotten a little rusty since your bar/bat/mitzvah? Join us every ursday evening to learn how to read Hebrew! The instruction is peppered with insights and explanations on the meanings of the prayers, to enrich your understanding and make your attendance at services more meaningful. Call the o ce for more details.

Men’s Club

Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., the Men’s Club offers meaningful conversation and Torah classes. Call the office for more details.

Rabbi Fishel gives a parsha class to which men and women are invited, also on Wednesdays, at 11:45 a.m.

The Big Build has begun!

Chabad of Naples and Preschool of the Arts has launched a capital campaign

to extend the campus, thus increasing our facilities to include much-needed additional preschool and Hebrew School classrooms, expanded summer camp and new spaces for community events.

During phases 1 and 2, we raised $4 million. We're getting there, but we need your help to complete phase 3 and our goal of $6 million.

Now that the drawings have been submitted to the City, we await the building permits, which should take about two more months, and then we can break ground.

e times are exciting, but we need your help to allow us to reach the goal.

To learn more about dedication opportunities, please call our o ce or email Rabbi Fishel (rabbi@chabadnaples. com). We would love to discuss the beautiful opportunities to honor a loved one and invest in the Jewish future of Naples through this momentous project.

Visit NaplesBigBuild.com for more information. Every donation will go towards completing phase 3 and bringing us to e Big Build nish line!

Flying challah

Every Friday, we send a challah to someone in need or celebrating a birthday, or just because. You can nominate someone. Call the o ce for more details.

Lag B'omer celebration

Tuesday night at 6 p.m., join us for a family-friendly, delicious BBQ in honor of Lag B'omer! Crafts and s’mores for the kids …

Shabbat and Kiddush

Shabbat services at Chabad Naples are

very popular. e Torah service begins at 11 a.m. and includes the Rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading, which always have a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Minyan

If you have a yahrzeit or need to say Kaddish, we are always here to help make a minyan during the week. We are grateful to those who help us with this minyan service when called.

Chabad Naples community care

Chabad of Naples has a special committee of professionals and lay volunteers who are available and trained to visit anyone in need. If you know someone who would appreciate a visit, especially before the High Holidays, please call 239-261-0772.

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Our Superstar staff! - We are fortunate to have a talented and committed team of superstars, working daily to enrich the community.

Celebrating Pesach

Charles Flum President

Pesach is one of several holidays during which we give thanks to God. In this case, we are thankful for the deliverance from Egypt, a moment which has defined many aspects of Judaism for thousands of years. The holiday actually has four names: Zman Cherutainu (Season of our Freedom), Chag Hapesach (Festival of the Pascal Lamb), Chag Hamatzot (Holiday of Matzah) and Chag HaAviv (Holiday of Spring).

Originally, Pesach was two festivals. The oldest is Chag Hapesach. When Jews were still a nomadic people, they celebrated the beginning of spring with an animal sacrifice. Chag Hamatzot was a spring festival to celebrate the beginning of the grain harvest. Before cutting the grain, they would discard all the fermented dough. In time, the two became one as the Exodus was celebrated in the spring.

A Pesach joke

A Jewish airplane manufacturer had just built a new type of airplane. e test pilot got inside the plane and taxied down the runway. Just before he took o , the wings of the plane fell o and it was back to the drawing board. Months later, the test pilot revved the engine of the new plane,

Still more to come at JCMI

Join us!

Stan Alliker President

In April, JCMI continues to o er 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.

Adieu to all

Steven Chizzik President

As I sit down to write my final Federation Star column, I want everyone to know that it has been my pleasure to serve as president of Beth Tikvah these last two years. Hopefully, my service to our wonderful synagogue will be remembered as one in which many positive changes have occurred while keeping the tradition of conservative Judaism alive and well here in Greater Naples. Beth Tikvah has grown enormously during my two-year tenure as president, and I know the synagogue has continued its reputation of warmth and caring that has become our calling card.

• Torah Study takes place every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Meer Room o ering an in-depth learning experience.

• Shabbat Shachrit Worship also takes place on Saturday mornings right after Torah Study at 10:45 a.m., which is led by Rabbi Mark Gross and Cantor Hari Jacobsen.

Congregational Passover Seder

Wednesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for our 41st annual Congregational Passover Seder here at JCMI!

taxied down the runway and the wings fell o — back to the drawing board again.

Shabbat morning, the airplane manufacturer was in shul. After services, he told his rabbi about the wings falling o the new plane. e rabbi thought a moment, then advised the man, “put holes along the wing at the point the wings break.”

e man thought it was nuts but decided to take his rabbi’s advice.

e test pilot revved the engine, taxied down the runway and took o for a beautiful maiden ight. e manufacturer couldn’t believe putting in the holes worked. He went to his rabbi. “Rabbi, putting the holes in the wings worked perfectly. How did you know this?” His rabbi said, “Have you ever been able to break a matzah along the lines with the holes? If it works for matzah, why not for airplanes?”

Join our community Seder

On April 5, Naples Jewish Congregation will host a community Seder led by Rabbi Herman at Cypress Woods Country Club. Tickets are available through March 27 and can be ordered at www.naplesjewishcongregation.org. e cost for nonmembers is $60 for adults and $18 for children 12 and under. is will be a full Seder with the traditional Pesach foods. Please come and join us.

You can also join us for services on Friday nights, 7 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist church just o Pine Ridge Road in Naples. We would love to welcome you to the small congregation with the big heart.

A complete traditional Passover meal will be catered by “Mango’s Dockside Bistro.” Visitors and guests are welcome! Please RSVP by March 24.

Tickets are $75 for members, $85 for visitors/guests; children ages 4-12 are $35 for member and $45 for visitors/guests. Children under 4 are free

For more information, please visit our website at www.marcojcmi.com under “Concerts/Flyers & Info.”

Women’s book club in its 15th year

ursday, April 6 at 11 a.m.

In its 15th season, the monthly women’s book club will take place in JCMI’s Meer Room. Men are welcome! ere will be a discussion of “banned books.”

You can read any book of your choice! Suggestions are: “Maus” by Art Spiegelman, “Are You ere God? It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Blume and “Beloved” by Toni Morrison.

Temple membership is not necessary, and everyone is welcome to participate.

I must thank Rabbi Chorny for all he does for Beth Tikvah and for being my friend and o ering his guidance during my tenure. I would also like to thank our board of trustees and committee chairpersons whose expertise and experience is most appreciated, as well as all those people who go above and beyond for Beth Tikvah’s interests.

In the columns that I’ve written here, I’ve tried to bring Jewish values to many of today’s world issues. I’ve enjoyed your many comments and I hope I may have precipitated some conversation in your homes. I would welcome anyone reading this to experience Beth Tikvah’s shabbat service, where I can be found every Saturday, and join me after services for a savory kiddush in our beautiful outdoor garden for the day’s discussion. I hope to see you there!

I’ve shared some beautiful poetry with you from my favorite poet, Emily Dickinson. I’d like to nish today with some beautiful verses from our Torah:

May Adonai bless you and guard you.

May Adonai show you favor and be gracious to you.

May Adonai show you kindness and grant you peace.

I hope everyone has a joyous Passover!

I again would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is o ering new members their rst year’s membership free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us.

Please see the calendar below to view all the great events taking place at Beth Tikvah this month. Beth

Chorny’s Lunch and Learn via Zoom

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and via Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. in person and via Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

Please check the Beth Tikvah website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org, for details regarding all our events.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.

Beth Tikvah is the a liated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All ings Jewish programs.

Chocolate Seder — an idea worth trying

By Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Director of Lifelong Learning

Temple Shalom Preschool and YESh students are getting very excited to celebrate Passover this month! For weeks now, the students have been preparing for the holiday with songs, food, crafts and dramatic play.

On Sunday, April 2, students in YESh will enjoy a special Chocolate Seder led by myself and Miss Jane Galler. is annual tradition has become beloved and one that our students wait all year for! Instead of the traditional Seder foods, the students will enjoy a whole Seder experience with chocolate Seder alternatives. Instead of 4 cups of grape juice, students will enjoy four small cups of chocolate milk. Instead of matzah, students will have chocolate-covered matzah, and so on.

By adding the element of chocolate into the Seder, students experience the

excitement of the holiday and have a positive association with the Seder ritual. From our rabbinic literature, we learn that Rabbi Akiba would give treats and snacks to his children during the Seder so that they would not fall asleep and take an interest in the Seder. A chocolate- lled Seder is surely a good way to keep children’s attention!

If you want to also enjoy a chocolate Seder at home (or even do a chocolate Seder instead of a traditional one), you may access the Chocolate Haggadah at https://tinyurl.com/chocolateseder haggadah. Listed in the Haggadah are the chocolate substitutions for the traditional Seder foods.

We wish you and your family a wonderful Passover holiday and look forward to hearing how you enjoyed the chocolate Seder experience!

Come for the fun. Stay for the friends! Find your afikomen and get a prize! Can

Sunday, April 2, 2023

3:00PM–4:00PM North Collier Regional Park 15000 Livingston Rd

March at Preschool of the Arts

By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

March felt like one long joyous celebration at Preschool of the Arts. And why wouldn’t it? Purim was in the air! Our school community joined together early in the month in grand fashion with an elaborate “Purim in Candyland” mega-party that was enjoyed by all. e well-attended holiday event welcomed the Greater Naples community to visit a life-size Candyland board with all the trimmings — lollipops, gumballs and chocolate fountain included. ere was even a real train to take us around the campus-sized board. It was de nitely our sweetest Purim ever!

In our classrooms, children got well into the spirit of the festivities, dressing up in costumes, singing Purim songs and baking hamantashen. In art class, the children designed and decorated beautiful baskets that they lled with yummy goodies. e children then gifted their basket to a friend in the Purim custom of Mishloach Manot, encouraging sharing, giving and friendship.

Many of the holiday themes and values our school shares with the children stem from our tradition. e Purim story is told in the Book of Esther, the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name nor any reference to G-d. It seems as if the Jewish victory over Haman was due to wonderful coincidences and ordinary good luck. But G-d often works in ways that are not apparent, in ways that appear to be chance. It is up to us to uncover that “hidden-ness” of the Divine/human relationship and acknowledge its place in our lives.

Taking this message to human relationships — friendships and even strangers — we share a world together and it is wonderful to take the time to acknowledge the connections we have with each other. Purim reminds us that there is always a special relationship to celebrate. All we need to do is stop, think about it and tap into it. And that’s what Purim asks

of us. To stop and think about the people dear to us and show our appreciation. We give each other gifts of food to express our gratitude for the relationship.

Here at Preschool of the Arts, we are a family. We share common goals and aspirations for our children and know the value of creating relationships. at is why March also hosted one of our most popular events of the year — Grandparents Day! Grandparents and special friends joined us for a “Touch-A-Truck Party,” a wonderful interactive day of fun and inspiring activities to nurture that special intergenerational bond. ere were truck activities of all sizes, from a real-life car wash to a mini-city lled with every truck imaginable.

Our school body has grown signicantly over the years, but we always work to maintain an intimate experience for our dear grandparents so that they can really connect with their grandchildren. e program focused on facilitating hands-on memorable experiences for the grandparents and children to play together, creating magical “touch”ing moments that are sure to last a lifetime.

We know that being a grandparent is one of the greatest gifts in life and we were honored to recognize the special role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives. roughout the day, we were inspired to witness the 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 special and loved. It is truly only grandparents who can bring so much joy!

Want to find out more about the Jay and Patty Baker Preschool of the Arts? Please visit our website at Naples PreschooloftheArts@gmail.com or call 239-263-2620.

The Chabad of Naples and Preschool of the Arts Purim bash was a magical "Candyland" party filled with the sweetest treats and the sweetest community we could ever imagine!

The grand masquerade at POTA had children dressed to the nines in costumes galore!

BBYO Naples teens in action

By Bobbie Katz and Marc Saperstein, co-chairs of BBYO Naples

BBYO Naples teens participated in two key programs in February.

e rst, on Sunday the 12th, was an ice cream social Meet & Greet with new BBYO Naples sta professional Cayla Schreier. is event was attended by 13 Naples teens.

The second event, on Sunday the 26th, was a cookie decorating and informational session for the teens and their parents. We had 17 teens and six parents in attendance at this second event. Bella Schaab, Chapter N’siah (president), ran the informational session along with Schreier. Both events were held in our new home, the BBYO Lounge at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

is year, BBYO Naples is celebrating its 11th year serving Jewish teens in Greater Naples in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah. Each of these organizations provides nancial support, along with the generosity of our BBYO Friends and alumni donors.

Over the past decade, BBYO Naples has engaged over 350 local Jewish teens in programs that allow them to connect to their Jewish roots, serve others through community service, build leadership skills and create lifelong friendships. Today, we have over 30 AZA and BBG members in our two chapters in BBYO Naples. We are also partnering with BBYO Ft. Myers teens on various programs.

International convention

BBYO held its International Convention in Dallas in mid-February, with over

3,000 teens from around the world participating in person. Presenters included luminaries such as former Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett; Second Gentleman of the U.S. Douglas Emho ; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jodi Kantor; David Hogg, co-founder of March for our Lives; Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt; and many other inspiring individuals. In addition, the teens heard songs from the cast of “Hamilton.” BBYO’s 100th birthday is next year, and the International Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida.

Upcoming events

We are looking forward to several upcoming events including a Shabbat Beach Cleanup and an Escape from Egypt escape room trip for Passover. e teens are also looking forward to the North Florida Region Spring Convention in Orlando in April.

Finally, as we create a safe, fun and engaging space for our BBYO teens in the new BBYO Lounge, we have procured a ping pong table, bean bag chairs and games for the teens to play both inside and outside in the courtyard.

BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish activities. BBYO welcomes Jewish teens in eighth through twelfth grade regardless of background, denominational a liation, gender, race, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Today, BBYO reaches over 70,000 teens globally in over 60 countries with hundreds of chapters across North America.

Jewish continuity is critically important to our future and nding ways to keep our teens engaged Jewishly, post B’nai Mitzvah, is a key element of what BBYO provides.

If you know of someone who has a teen who might like to join BBYO Naples or know of someone who might like to be an advisor to our chapters, please email Cayla Schreier at cschreier@bbyo.org.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

azabbg.bbyo.org/on-demand/home Conne C t with your Jewish Community www.facebook.com/ JewishFederationofGreaterNaples

Scholarships to attend BBYO conventions and summer programs are available through both Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and Temple Shalom Men’s Club. For more information on scholarships, please contact Schreier.

Another amazing Chabad at FGCU month flew by

By Rabbi Mendel Gordon

Some special highlights we had for the FGCU students in March include a special Hakel Shabbat, joining students from schools all over Florida for a shabbat together at UF. What a special feeling it was to sing shalom aleichem and welcome in shabbat with more than 300 Jewish students from all over.

Another highlight was a shabbat dinner in North Lake, where one of the students hosted shabbat for the clan.

We had a fun night at Headpinz for bowling organized by our student leaders, and how could I forget the pre-Purim hamentashen bake?

We had a fun course called paradigm shift, learning the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s

positive outlook on life. Allowing us to see things in a whole new light, and a great text-based class on the weekly Parsha.

We look forward to celebrating Passover together with our student community. Our seders are open to any college-age Jews in Southwest Florida. Reach out for more information.

Chabad at FGCU services students at FGCU other local college-age Jews. For more information or to connect, reach out to Rabbi Mendel at 239-355-8481 or Rabbi@ chabadfgcu.com.

Candle lighting times

Apr. 7: 7:29 p.m.

Apr. 14: 7:32 p.m.

Apr. 21: 7:35 p.m.

Apr. 28: 7:39 p.m.

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.

Gabe and Andrew enjoy hamentashen bake

Hayley, Jack, Robyn, Max and Rabbi Mendel delving into the parsha

Courtney at hamentashen bake Max, Barrell, Jonah and Jonathan at bowling night

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

Len Teitelbaum, 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 & Ettie Zaklos Co-directors

Dr. Arthur Seigel, President 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

Rabbi Mendy & Luba Greenberg

Co-directors

Services:

Sunday 9 a.m.

Monday through Friday 8 a.m.

Shabbat 10 a.m.

Adult Education

Challah of Love

Community Events

Daily Minyan Services

Hebrew School

Kosher Grocery

Kosher Meals on Wheels

Smile on Seniors

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 Stan Alliker, President

Shabbat Services

Friday 7:30 p.m.

Seasonal: Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m.

Rabbi’s Lifelong Learning Series

Sidney R. Hoffman Jewish Film Festival

Saul I. Stern Cultural Series

JCMI Book Club

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION (Reform)

Services are held at:

The Unitarian Congregation

6340 Napa Woods Way

Rabbi Howard Herman 431.3858

Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

Charles Flum, President

Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

Shabbat Services

Friday evenings 7 p.m.

May - August: services once a month

Sisterhood • Men’s Club

Adult Education • Adult Choir

Social Action • Community Events

FLY HIGH

WITH YOUR ESTATE PLANNING

Whether you are traveling far or staying home, your flight and your life are better when you plan. We can help you map out a fulfilling and smooth trip through the new year. It is time to soar. Here is a good place to start on your estate planning this year:

Write or update your will

Check with your bank and investment advisor to update your transfer on death forms

Take inventory of your highly appreciated assets and use them, rather than cash, to transfer gifts to charity

Partner with us! YOU WILL SOAR WHEN YOU SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO LOWER YOUR TAXES AND POTENTIALLY INCREASE YOUR INCOME, ALL WHILE HELPING OTHERS

Ellen Weiss Executive Director 813.769.4785 ellen@topjewishfoundation.org

The community foundation for the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Marcy Friedland Planned Giving Director 239.263.4205 mfriedland@jewishnaples.org

The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 4720 Pine Ridge Road • Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 239.263.4205

E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org • Website: www.jewishnaples.org

Volume 32, No. 8 • April 2023 • 40 pages

USPS Permit No. 1101

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 2023 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: March 30 • Advertising: April 5 Send news stories to: sharon@marketcrank.com

BETH TIKVAH

(Conservative)

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109 (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

Baker Senior Center Naples

Phone: 325.4444

Chairperson: Prentiss Higgins

President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

Friends of the IDF

Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305.354.8233

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

Men’s Cultural Alliance

President: Michael Sobol, 508.733.9427

Naples BBYO Tara Harris, 407-832-4443

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA)

SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954.457.9766

PJ Library Coordinator: Alicia Feldman

www.jewishnaples.org/pj-library

Women’s Cultural Alliance

President: Patti Boochever, 518.852.3440

Zionist Organization of America

President: Jerry Sobel, 914.329.1024