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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
December 2020
Channukah — That time of year, again By Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld and Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff
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very year, Channukah, like all the Jewish holidays, comes around before we are ready for it. “Again” or rededication is the reason for the season. The oil lasted eight days, a miracle. Miracles and rededication are what Channukah is all about. And miracles and rededication are what the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is all about! Our Jewish community is a miracle. And each year, we rededicate our community at our annual community-wide Channukah celebration. This year, it will be virtual, sigh. How we will all miss being together. Next year, there is a possibility that we will be together in our new space, outdoors, of course, as it is doubtful the building will be ready for the very early Channukah that happens in 2021. But if we are back together in Mercato for the Channukah lighting next year, that, too, will be wonderful. We just hope and pray to be back together.
Rededication means reviewing and recommitting to our Jewish values. Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Federation is your gateway to doing that. Programs for children, programs for families, programs for teens, programs for adults, programs for women, programs for men and programs for seniors.
Annual campaign We touch every segment of our community here, in Israel and worldwide. We do this through our Annual Campaign, which raises funds for every group mentioned above. We distribute the funds through our allocation process, which carefully scrutinizes the needs, requests and amounts available to make sure there is an equitable allotment to each agency and all programs. Your annual campaign contribution is your rededication to our community. It keeps us going and keeps us vibrant. It builds our community, brick by brick.
Jane Schiff and Jeffrey Feld
Capital campaign Your commitment to the Capital Campaign is the cornerstone of the future of our community. When COVID-19 takes its place next to the seasonal flu, measles and other ongoing medical problems, and we start to fully reclaim our lives, as
the Maccabees did so many years ago, we want you to walk with pride, excitement and joy into our new building. To do that, we need you to commit to joining the more than 70 families that have given to the Capital Campaign. We need so many more of you to step up and say “hineni,” here I am. Step up and contribute to our efforts to build the future community of Greater Naples. Step up and show your support for what this community will become and will project as an image to future Jews, who think about this area for their retirement years. Step up and say to our community, “Join us in this venture.” Building, Tikkun Olum and rededication. These are Jewish values. We know you care. You are reading this and all the articles in this and every FedStar, so you do care. You Zoom with us, you contribute to our causes and you are proud members of our community. Your Channukah rededication is now! Thank you!
Happy Chanukah! Reneé Bialek Program Director
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ur community-wide Chanukah Celebration is on Thursday, Dec. 10. This event will take place virtually at 5 p.m., so make sure to register in order to receive the Zoom link. The Zoom link is emailed two hours prior to the start of the program to those
who register. The registration link can be found on our homepage at www.jewishnaples.org. The Chanukah celebration event is free to the entire community. We look forward to welcoming you and watching everyone light their own menorah in their home. What a festival of light show this will be!
Important upcoming programs not to be missed
Warm and Happy Wishes at Hanukkah The Festival of Lights is here… light the menorah, play with the dreidel, and feast on latkes and sufganiyot. Celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah with friends and family! HONORING TRADITIONS, strengthening
Every life is unique and deserves to be remembered in a special way. The professionals at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones honor the heritage of the Jewish faith with a meaning-
faith
ful memorial that truly captures the essence of the life it represents. We offer our deepest gratitude for giving us the opportunity to assist you through one of the most challenging times in life, and for allowing us to earn and keep your trust.
525 11th Avenue North | Naples, FL 34108 239-597-3101 | www.HodgesNaplesMG.com
• Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.: Ambassador Dennis & David Makovsky in conversation • The Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival begins on Thursday, Dec. 3. You can find more information on the Jewish Book Festival throughout this Federation Star issue. All of these virtual programs will take place on Zoom. Some programs are free, while others have a fee. More information on all the above programs can be found
throughout this Federation Star and in our Monday weekly e-blast. Please make sure to register via the link that is provided in the weekly e-blasts. If you need help registering, please ask me. A confirmation email will be sent to you immediately after you register. The Zoom link is emailed to you about two hours prior to the start of each program. Please contact me at rbialek@jewish naples.org with any questions. Please like us on Facebook!
2021 Campaign Kickoff...continued from cover Your generous gift supports Leket Tomorrow begins today Israel, which provides hot meals for We are continuing our Matching Holocaust survivors and vulnerable Challenge Grant for your gift, new or seniors; Hatikvah preschool in Ukraine, increased, to the 2021 Annual Comthat enables Jewish life to continue munity Campaign. Jewish Federations and thrive in Kiev; Neve Michael, a of North America (JFNA) has launched children’s home in Pardes Hanna, Israel, a Human Services Relief Matching Fund, serving youth from 4-18 years old which was made possible, in partnerwho have experienced trauma and ship with seven national foundations, abuse; Susan’s House, which employs an $18-million match to the Federation youth between ages 15 and 19, providsystem on a 1:2 basis. JFNA will match ing many the only warm, encouraging $.50 for every new and/or increased dollar environment they have known; Yad commitment to our current Campaign. Lakashish in Jerusalem, providing meals Please help us raise $50,000 of new and transportation for the elderly to a and/or increased gifts now, so that we creative workplace; Yashar LaChayal, will receive $25,000 from JFNA to help providing assistance to the Needy Solthe needy. This challenge is only good dier Fund; the Ethiopian National through this calendar year! Please donate Educational Project; and so many more today for a better tomorrow! worthy programs! Todah Rabah, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
