Center to develop Café Europa program for Holocaust survivors

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/ CEO

Naples Senior Center has some exciting news! We received a grant from the Sephardic Foundation to develop a socialization program for Holocaust survivors. The program, Café Europa, already exists in many locales across the country and is an opportunity for Holocaust survivors to socialize over a meal and music. The name comes from a Café in Stockholm, Sweden where survivors would meet after the war to try to find family and friends.

Café Europa is open to all survivors and their children in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. The luncheon will be scheduled in mid- to late-February and will take place at the new Naples Senior Center at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. There is no cost to attend, and transportation will be provided, if needed.

Naples Senior Center invited community leaders to be part of its planning committee. Attending our first meeting were representatives from Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Holocaust Museum, Beth Tikvah Synagogue and Generations of the Shoah of SWFL. We asked the committee, and we are asking you, to let us know of survivors in the area who may be interested in attending Café Europa. For more information and answers to questions, please contact Anne Chernin at achernin@naplesseniorcenter.org or 239-325-4444.

Helping seniors after Hurricane Ian

The Center continues working with seniors impacted by Hurricane Ian, with a specific focus on those living in senior mobile home communities. With funding from Collier Community Foundation, we hired a designated case manager to focus on this effort. Additionally, hurricane relief from Federation has enabled us to respond to immediate needs of food and damages.

Our special evening approaches

An Evening for Better Tomorrows is Jan. 14, 2023, and we look forward to welcoming our friends to an evening of dining and dancing. Tickets are $600 each and patron tables are $10,000. For more information, please contact Chloe Goldstein, director of development operations at cgoldstein@naplessenior center.org or 239-325-4444.

Naples Senior Center board and staff wish all a wonderful Hanukah and a great start to 2023.