Channukah — That time of year, again

By Federation President/CEO Jeffrey Feld and Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff

Every 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.

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!