3 minute read
It takes a village
By Robin Mintz, Jewish Book Festival Chair
The 2023-24 Jewish Book Festival will soon draw to a close. There is only one event left, which will take place on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m.
It would not have been the unconditional success it was without our patrons, volunteers and sponsors. Your support has helped Jewish Federation of Greater Naples further carry out its mission.
Putting on this year’s book festival involved many people — one might say that it “took a village.” Each event was meticulously planned and presented by our many, many volunteers, who worked tirelessly both in advance and during each event.
Last spring, our Book Festival Committee met to talk about the upcoming festival, and in May, our volunteer “readers” began to review the four cartons of books we received from the Jewish Book Council. Our “Selection Committee,” comprised of Reneé Bialek, Emily Berkowitz, Jan Goldman, Carol Hirsch and me (with Susan Pittelman’s input), listened to more than 250 authors give a 2-minute pitch about their book over Zoom. Based on the selection committee’s evaluation of the authors’ presentations, combined with the comments from our readers, recommendations were made regarding which authors to invite to this year’s festival.
In anticipation of each of the presentations, our volunteer moderators did an outstanding job preparing for, and then engaging with, each of our authors. Please see their photos on page 14.
Once the season was underway, Head of Volunteers Carol Hirsch recruited a cadre of dedicated volunteers to make sure that each event went smoothly. Different teams of volunteers greeted guests at the door, checked-in and ushered guests to their seats. I would like to give a shoutout to Spencer Forman, our head usher, for eliminating the need for any seating complaints! Kudos to Forman and his dedicated team of ushers.
Susan Pittelman and Joni Zalasky were instrumental in planning and executing the delicious, themed refreshments that you enjoyed at each event. We all agree that food is a very important component of any Jewish gathering, and Susan, Joni and their team of volunteers hit it out of the ballpark this year!
Rounding out our “village” is you, members of our community, for enthusiastically attending and supporting this year’s highly successful Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival.
I look forward to seeing you at our closing event on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m. when Emily Franklin will speak about her book “The Lioness of Boston.” Light refreshments will be served at 10 a.m.
Pictured here are photos of the volunteers that were part of the “village” that made the March 1 event featuring “The Golden Doves” so successful.
