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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
December 2020
www.WCANaples.org / 215.820.6697
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Use the “Zoom Highway” to connect with WCA North and WCA South (Part Two)
By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
I
t has been impressive to peer into the wide variety of activities offered by WCA’s two satellite groups, WCA North and South. As I shared in last month’s article, WCA North has successfully been using Zoom for months and WCA South began programming through Zoom in October. Even though we are still required to be physically apart, the WCA events provide all members additional opportunities to stay connected. With a simple click onto Zoom, women can see one another and feel part of our welcoming WCA community.
WCA South WCA South was formed in spring 2015 as a result of both the huge success of WCA North and the interest expressed by women who live in the southern and eastern sections of Naples, along the East Trail down to Marco Island. WCA Board Member Lenore Greenstein became the coordinator of WCA South, spearheading this new group. From its inception, WCA South focused on offering programming year-round. This past spring, after Lenore had served as coordinator for five years, Leslie Wasserman and Cathy LoneDawson became co-coordinators and honored Lenore with the title “Coordinator Emerita.”
2015 WCA South Board of Directors (l-r) Sandy Schulman, Leslie Wasserman, Lenore Greenstein, Alice Licker, Pat Sutker and Leda Lubin WCA South has approximately 240 members and continues to grow. When the pandemic hit, all the programs planned for March and April were canceled. Co-coordinators Wasserman and Lone-Dawson held special meetings with their WCA South Board — Cheryl Abrams, Barbara Chester, Enid Dairman, Arlene Greenberg, Linda Hyde, Alice Licker, Bobbi Morein and Coordinator Emerita Lenore Greenstein — to prepare to transition to the new Zoom platform.
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Women’s Cultural Alliance
2020-2021 MEMBERSHIP FORM
The membership year is from September 1 until August 31 of the next year. Dues received after March 1 will be applied to the next season. Please check one: NEW RENEWAL (PLEASE fill out the form completely and PRINT CLEARLY!) Is there a change in your information from last year? YES NO
W C A
If you checked NO, just LEGIBLY print your name, fill in payment info, sign Event Waiver below, and mail to WCA/JFGN.
Print Name Email (very important)
Spouse/Partner Name
Local Street Address
FL Community
City Florida Phone
State Cell Phone
Northern Address City State In Southwest Florida Full-time Part-time from
Zip
No. Phone Zip to
NAME BADGES: New Members receive a one-time name badge as a welcome gift from WCA/JFGN. Returning Members: If you need a new or replacement name badge, please increase your fee by $8.
Print your name as you want it to appear on the badge MEMBERSHIP DUES: $90 (US Funds only, Minimum for the year; includes membership to the JFGN):____ $ I am also including a voluntary donation to the Federation in the amount of: _ $ I am including $8 for a replacement Name Badge: __ $ Total enclosed or authorized: __ $ I will be paying by check. Please make your check payable to JFGN/WCA.
90.00
I will be paying by credit card. Card Number Expiration Date
Name on Card
CVV
Mail this SIGNED form (with your check or credit card number) to: WCA/Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201, Naples, FL 34109 I would like to VOLUNTEER my services/expertise and would be willing to chair or co-chair an activity on the following topic or topics.
EVENT PARTICIPATION WAIVER. By signing below, I accept the terms of this waiver.
As a participant in a WCA event,* I, acting for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns agree as follows: That I waive all rights, claims and/or causes of action of any kind whatsoever that I or my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns may claim to have against either the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and/or the Women’s Cultural Alliance, their members, agents, servants, and/or employees, for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by me while participating in a WCA event. This waiver and release shall be construed broadly under the Laws of the State of Florida.
Signature ________________________________________________Date ____________ *Note: Certain higher risk events such as athletic activities or trips require an enhanced waiver to be signed. Contact your activity’s director for more information.
For more information contact Membership Director Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com 2020-21
The board planned a full season of Zoom programs, including a virtual “Inaugural Luncheon,” speakers, other virtual luncheons, meetings for two book clubs and more. “The creative and intelligent women who serve on our board came up with ideas to make WCA South’s sixth season fun through Zoom. We have so much going on — it is very exciting,” says Wasserman. WCA South held its first Zoom event, a joint program of the Fiction and Jewish Experience Book Clubs, on Thursday, Oct. 8. The members had a lively discussion of The Button Man by Andrew Gross. Many women were eager to read it after hearing the author at last year’s Jewish Book Festival. Bobbi Morein, the liaison for the Fiction Book Group, comments, “I was a little apprehensive about a Zoom book club, but our discussion exceeded my expectations.” Beginning in November, each book group resumed its separate monthly meetings. The Fiction Book Group discussed Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano on Nov. 12 (the second Thursday of the month); the Jewish Experience Book Club discussed Gateway to the Moon by Mary Morris on Nov. 20 (the third Friday of the month). Greenstein comments, “Meeting through Zoom gives more women a chance to join — and to relax in their own homes!” (Reading lists for both book clubs are on the sidebar of the WCA e-blast.) New members of WCA South participated in the two WCA new member coffees held via Zoom in October and facilitated by WCA Membership Director Harriett Kleinman. “The New Member Coffee was a huge success. We socialized virtually and learned about the many opportunities for us to become more involved. It was a great way to connect! We left with bated breath,” comments WCA South member Barb Murray.
Nineteen women Zoomed in with their own homemade lunch for WCA South’s “Inaugural Luncheon” on Oct. 21. Friends reconnected and shared their favorite activities during COVID19, including making “crazy quilt” kimonos, writing a Jewish etiquette and cookbook, watching Netflix and reading. One member relayed her experience dancing to Broadway show tunes with her daughter! Jane Linderman comments, “The luncheon was a great way to visit with each other and have some laughs with our WCA friends!” Each month, WCA South will host either a lecture or a virtual luncheon. Lone-Dawson and Linda Hyde will oversee the lecture series. The topic of the Nov. 18 lecture, the first one in the series, was “Dr. Richard Conrath: A Renaissance Man.” Dr. Conrath, husband of WCA member Karyn Conrath, discussed his former life as a priest, his family’s nomadic lifestyle and how his experiences have become fodder for his crime mysteries. “Richard proves to be a true Renaissance Man in every way,” says Hyde. The next lecture will be held Dec. 16 and will feature Dr. Carolyn Daitch, who will speak on “Taming COVID Anxiety.” The January lecture, which will be presented by talented artist Dr. Paula Brody, will address the topic “Creation & Creativity: Finding Your Inner Artist.” In December, members will have the opportunity to watch the film “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers — The Greensteins of Marco Island,” which was produced by The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida. “We are excited to show this film, as it features our wonderful WCA South Coordinator Emerita, Lenore Greenstein,” says Lone-Dawson. Although South’s Canasta Chair Enid Dairman explained that canasta is on hold for now, WCA South is certainly taking advantage of Zoom to continue continued on page 11
