JEWISH FEDERATION
December 2020
Federation Star
5
The naming of the new building in honor of Nina Iser Capital Campaign spotlight
By Lauren Segal, daughter of Nina and Steve Iser
W
hen a loved one like Nina Iser passes away unexpectedly, it leaves profound grief and immense challenges for those who remain. Our family, friends and the communities of both Nyack, New York, and Naples were overwhelmed with sorrow at this sudden tragic loss. Nina left behind many broken hearts, unspoken words, unfinished plans and a desk full of papers and notes. Among her notes was the brochure for the new Jewish Federation building in Naples, with her handwriting and comments written all over it. She had been reviewing the papers, planning to donate in memory of her loved ones. Little did she, or anyone else, ever Nina Iser Nina and Steve Iser with their granddaughters Ilana and Wendi Segal expect it to be in honor of her memory, to read. Steve then joined the that her name would grace the new Jewish MCA (Men’s Cultural Alliance), Cultural Center. also under the umbrella of the As many of you know, Nina was a force Jewish Federation of Greater to be reckoned with. She dedicated herself Naples, where Nina and Steve had to the Jewish community, as well as many become active participants. They other organizations that she believed both loved the dinner dances, the would benefit all. Her dedication, paslectures, the trips. They greatly sion, talent and philanthropy has helped appreciated and took advantage many organizations grow and prosper. of all the opportunities provided Nina maintained a kosher Jewish home (except when their grand-girls came to devoted community. Last winter, Nina and followed many of the traditions of her years, eventually as president. She was visit, when all else stopped). At the Jewish was chairing a fundraising celebration beloved family. Her commitment to being then asked to spearhead a hugely sucTHE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES BUILDING Federation, they found their “people,” the in honor of the temple’s “bat mitzvah” involved in the Jewish community led her cessful capital campaign for the building friends that became family, with whom — from the invitations to the flowers, to pursue her Bat Mitzvah late in life, well and expansion of CongregaPINE RIDGErenovation ROAD VIEW they shared their lives with enthusiasm, the venue, the menu — she coordinated after her children had grown and left the tion Sons of Israel. Active members of love and laughter. every detail with the skill and finesse she family home. Her passion and commitRockland’s Jewish community, Nina Nina identified strongly with her was known for. Sadly, it was COVIDment to learning and Judaism endured, and Steve were honored many times Jewish heritage, believed in giving back postponed, and will hopefully take place and she continued to actively participate — by the Federation, Israel Bonds, the generously, doing so with all her heart. sometime next year. in (all) her temples, often honored with Synagogue and the JCC Rockland — for She believed in the future and the future As a new arrival to Naples, the WCA an Aliyah or chanting Haftorah. their efforts to support and help these of the Jewish community of Greater (Women’s Cultural Alliance), an affinity Nina’s passion for volunteering began organizations grow. Naples. It is very fitting and most approgroup of the Jewish Federation of Greater many years ago. She served as president When they began to “winter” in priate that the new building bear her Naples, presented Nina a welcoming of the Rockland Jewish Federation’s Naples, Nina and Steve sought out the name in honor of her memory. It is our group that offered lectures, book clubs, Women’s Division and was honored to Jewish community and dove right in. family’s hope that the Nina Iser Jewish garden trips, cultural events, and social be a Lion of Judah. When she and Steve They joined Beth Tikvah, and became Cultural Center will always be full of opportunities, of which she took full moved to Nyack, Nina became active at active participants, attending services, life and love, ensuring Jewish values and advantage. She often called Lauren to Congregation Sons of Israel, where she kiddushes and events, serving on comopportunities for generations to come. discuss an interesting lecture or book served on the executive board for many mittees, and finding great friends and a
Supporting our new home for the Jewish Federation A welcoming place for all Jews in the Greater Naples area
T
odah Rabah Our Capital Campaign total to date is $7.5M! We would like to say Todah Rabah, to the following donors that have contributed $500 or more as of Nov. 6. Interested in adding your name to the list in one of our upcoming issues? Contact Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign Director, at mfriedland@jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205. Patricia Adkins Stuart & Tess Axelrod Ronald & Barbara Balser Alvin & Sheila Becker Larry & Nancy Bell Andrew & Beverly Blazar Michael & Margery Bluestein Jerry & Rosalee Bogo Steve & Patti Boochever Braverman Family Foundation Stephen & Rhonda Brazina Barbara Carocci
Daniel & Linda Carp Harvey & Katie Cohen Barbara Dave Robert Davidson & Shellie Specter Stan & Karen Deutsch Steven & Shelley Einhorn Ron & Kathy Emanuel Stan & Mignon Farb Jeffrey & Susan Feld Ronald & Paula Filler Marc & Jennifer Fleischer Marcy Friedland Elaine Goecke Gene & Barbara Goldenziel Bill & Carol Goldman David Goldsteen & Marcia Cohodes Michael & Ellen Gordon Howard & Sherry Greenfield Lenore & Rabbi Howard (z”l) Greenstein Merrill Hassenfeld & Paula Brody Steve Iser Larry & Wendy Israelite Joseph & Merrylee Kandel Nancy L. Kaplan
Ed Kaufman James Knafo Gary & Deborah Kohler Gracia Kuller Howard & Gail Lanznar Larry Lechtner Elliot & Helene Lerner Merlin & Harriet Lickhalter Bernard & Bobbie Lublin MCA Stuart & Carol Mest Andy & Robin Mintz Les & Gail Nizin Ben Post & Debbie Laites Harvey Oriel Marshall & Elaine Paisner Judy & Howard (z”l) Palay William Petasnick Joel & Susan Pittelman Stuart & Estelle Price Ilya & Kate Prizel Nat & Susan Ritter Richard & Ellaine Rosen Lyle & Gloria Rosenzweig
Sam & Judy Roth Michael Rubenstein Kenneth & Sheri Sacks Stephen & Bebe Saks Marc & Joan Saperstein Rose Saperstein Jane Schiff Schiff Family Foundation Bill & Caroline Schulhof Ls & Betty Schwartz Phyllis Seaman Donald & Arlene Shapiro Russell & Gail Smith II Michael & Arlene Sobol Elaine Soffer Howard & Janet Solot Stephen & Phyllis Strome Malcom Thomson Jerry & Linda Wainick Jay & Susan Weiss WCA Brian & Beth Wolff Ed & Ellen Wollman Barry & Debbie Zvibleman
