Jewish Community Day and Evening of Learning goes virtual

By Jeff Margolis and Ken Goldstein

The annual Jewish Day of Learning promises to be like no other. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire program will be presented virtually. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Naples is pleased to announce a two-day event on Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Part one of this not-to-be-missed experience is titled “It’s Chai Time to Visit Jewish Neighbors.” Viewers will have the opportunity to hear from three notable and engaging speakers about Jewish communities around the world — Jews of China, Jews of Persia and Crypto-Jews.

Dr. Steven Derfler will speak about the Jews of China. Many in our community may be familiar with Derfler’s popular lectures, including a multipart program on world religions presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Derfler is an international educational consultant, public speaker, archaeologist, historian, researcher, teacher and author. His area of expertise includes ancient civilizations and development of western religions. Derfler has been associated with institutions in the U.S. and in Israel, including Tel Aviv’s Institute of Archeology, the Israeli Antiquities Authority, The Negev Museum of Beersheba and the Arad Archeological Center. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Now residing in Florida, Derfler has collaborated with the Ringling College Department of Liberal Arts, Florida Gulf Coast University, the Sarasota County Adult and Community Education Program and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

In future issues of Federation Star, leading up to the Day of Learning, we will profile bios of the other presenters, including author Dr. Ron Duncan Hart, a cultural anthropologist from Indiana University and Naples’ own Cantor Donna Azu from Temple Shalom.

The Day of Learning has traditionally been on a Sunday afternoon, but as noted, this year, there will also be an Evening of Learning. This came about because March 2021 is exactly one year after a national emergency was declared. During the initial few months, we celebrated the heroes of the pandemic, including health care workers, the police, firefighters and other essential workers.

It was suggested that it would be interesting to hear the stories of other heroes — the clergy. These heroes had to deal with difficult and emotional issues such as funerals, illnesses, depression and abuse as well as celebrations such as weddings, births and other life cycle events.

On this Evening of Learning, the following clergy are scheduled to tell their stories: Reverend Edward Gleason, Trinity by the Cove Naples; Fr. Hugh, Our Lady of Light Catholic Community Estero; Rabbi Adam Miller, Temple Shalom in Naples; Pastor Lonnie Mills, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Naples; and Reverend Dr. Dawson Taylor, Naples United Church of Christ.

This year, there is no charge for either program. To be a part of this special community event, just be sure to register in February when registration begins.