Federation Star - December 2023

Page 1

Annual Community Wide

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION

Monday, December 11 at 5 PM on the Lawn at Mercato Please register at:

www.jewishnaples.org

OF GREATER NAPLES

CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

FEDERATI N STAR

Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

www.JewishNaples.org Y December 2023 – Kislev/Tevet 5784 Y Vol. 33 #4

12 Men’s Cultural Alliance

Southwest Florida must stand with Israel, reject intolerance and antisemitism

15 Arts & Entertainment

By Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 11 Women’s Cultural Alliance

20 Community Focus 26 Tributes

Jeffrey Feld

31 Jewish Interest 37 Israel & The Jewish World 39 Organizations 40 Rabbinical Reflections 41 Synagogue News 45 Focus on Youth 47 Community Directory History Uncompromised This series with Elliott Katz that challenges the conventional view of many 2oth-century events continues Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.

14

15 Jewish Book Festival Kicks Off Join us Dec. 3 when bestselling author Mitch Albom discusses his powerful novel “A Little Liar.” Move to Temple Shalom. Page 15

We Stand with Israel

Federation President/ CEO

34 Commentary

T

he unprecedented Hamas terror attack on Israel — the deadliest day of violence against Jews since the Holocaust, with captors targeting unarmed civilians, the elderly, women, children and babies — has shaken the world like few recent events. In a particularly gruesome nod to 21st-century technology, gleeful captors livestreamed their victim’s executions on social media, where friends, family and the world watched in horror. With more than 1,400 Israeli deaths, thousands more severely injured and hundreds of hostages still in captivity, it’s no exaggeration to compare this horrific violence to the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on this country. Consider: with a population 35 times smaller than the U.S., Israel’s death count was the equivalent of 50,000 American casualties in a single day. From the White House to the heartland, church pulpits to NFL stadiums, the outpouring of support for the Jewish state and its people has been swift, decisive and emphatic – including here at home. Just days after the Oct. 7 attacks, an overflow interfaith crowd of more than 500

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119

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OF GREATER NAPLES

Donate to the Israel Emergency Relief fund at www.jewishnaples.org/donate.

packed the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center for a community solidarity gathering. Hundreds more attended online, and many more have stepped up and donated to an Israel Emergency Relief Fund established by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. This widespread community support, both at home and beyond, has been particularly welcome, but there are troubling signs of cracks in the foundation, as a growing number of political pundits, skeptics and critics question Israel’s military response.

In the context of geopolitical strategy, the global domino effect and other such considerations, such dialogue is absolutely necessary. But as we have seen all too often in the past, those who lurk in the dark corners of hate, peddling antisemitic rhetoric – and often acting out on those hateful beliefs – will inevitably emerge in the daylight, exploiting this tragedy for their own benefit. Our local Jewish community has endured a rash of hate speech, even before the recent terror attacks. continued on page 2

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023 southwest florida...continued from page 1

Saturday, January 13, 2024 Entertainment by

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dancing, dining and magic! Tickets are $650 For sponsorship opportunities, contact Dr. Jaclynn Faffer at 239.325.4444 BakerSeniorCenterNaples.org

In the past year alone, vandals have thrown bricks through the window while worshippers prayed at a Cape Coral synagogue on Sabbath; racist and neo-Nazi flyers were anonymously dumped in North Naples and Fort Myers driveways; a prominent local rabbi was harassed and threatened outside a Collier County School Board meeting; and a rabbi’s home in Bonita Springs was defaced with anti-Jewish graffiti. In Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and across our region, Jews of all denominations, from the devout to the nonobservant, are deeply grieving. A social media post that went viral discussed how “you may have lost every last one of your Jewish friends this week and have no idea why.” The answer, in essence: “When you are Jewish, you are always aware that there is a large population in the world that wants to kill you … We may like your posts that say, ‘Never Again,’ but we never fully believe it.” Hamas' terror attack on Israel wasn’t simply an attack on the Jewish people. It was an attack on humanity – and one that must continue to be vigorously

condemned and not explained away or rationalized through some sense of false equivalence. As I wrote just a few short months ago, antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but a societal one that requires each of us to do our part in saying no to hate, intolerance and all forms of racial, ethnic and religious discrimination. With the renewed prospect of prolonged combat in the Middle East, and a growing tide of hate speech here in our little slice of paradise, now is not the time to remain on the sideline. It’s imperative that Southwest Florida stand with Israel and wholeheartedly reject intolerance, antisemitism and hate speech in all its guises. There is a great need to show solidarity with Israel at this time. Please help support the Israel Emergency Relief Fund to aid the victims of this barbaric attack. Donations by check may be sent to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119, or visit the Federation website at https://jewishnaples.org. One hundred percent of the money collected goes to the relief efforts.

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JEWISH FEDERATION

Federation Star

December 2023

3

Light over darkness Jeffrey Feld

Nat Ritter

Federation President/ CEO

Federation Board Chair

A

s a community, we are about to celebrate the holiday of Chanukah. This holiday celebrates the miracle of a single day’s portion of holy oil (to

be used for the eternal light) that lasted for eight days. During second century BCE, the Holy Temple was destroyed and desecrated by King Antiochus and

the Assyrians. Thanks to the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire, the Jews reclaimed the Temple and were free and able to practice Judaism. We celebrate the holiday to remember good overcoming evil. The word Chanukah means dedication. As a community, we celebrate “dedication.” We celebrate being dedicated to building a Jewish community. We celebrate being dedicated to helping Jews.

At this particular time, we are dedicated to Israel. We are dedicated to helping ensure Israel’s existence. We are dedicated to helping the Israelis who have been affected by the barbaric terrorist attack of Oct. 7. We are dedicated to Am Yisrael Chai — the nation of Israel lives! Chanukah is the Festival of Lights. We are dedicated to providing light against the darkness of evil. We wish you a Happy Chanukah — to the dedication of light over darkness.

The importance of our annual campaign By Rosalee Bogo, Campaign Chair

W

hat an incredibly caring community we are. Since the appeal for the Israel Emergency Fund has been made, you have answered the call. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have come to our Federation and will go directly to heed humanitarian needs in Israel. Anytime there are emergency needs, there is a strong effect on our annual campaign. That happened this past year when the community donated funds to help with Hurricane Ian and the war in Ukraine. As a result, the annual campaign fundraising goal, which was set to satisfy the needs of our budget, was not reached. This was especially problematic, and

our Allocations Committee was forced to cut the funding of many of our recipients as we simply were unable to fulfill their requests. You may not know where the dollars you donate to your Federation go. The larger synagogues in our community get scholarship money for religious school and camps. Our smaller local synagogues get funds for help with community programming. The Baker Senior Center gets funds to help with geriatric case management and the Holocaust survivors, who are a priority of this Federation. With the amount of antisemitism happening, it is even more important to give funds to the Holocaust Museum to educate

the community about the for abused children who are Holocaust. We support Jewish referred by the local law. It War Veterans, BBYO, FGCU has the only emergency center Jewish students, Jewish Hisfor teen girls. Many of our torical Society, and many othleadership team have visited ers. We have local and overseas these sites and see the need needs that also must be met. for support. There are core assessments There are so many needs we must satisfy annually from for the dollars we raise. Our JFNA to JAFI, ORT and JDC, campaign kickoff is Nov. 29 Rosalee Bogo our overseas partners. This also and campaign cabinet workers includes Birthright Israel. We allocate to will be calling you to get your pledge. Be agencies in Israel that help the elderly, sure to thank them for calling. Raising like Yad Lakashish, and the immigrant money is not easy, but nothing is more children who need to be educated to gratifying than helping those in need. prepare for the army and Israeli life. We “Be glad you are the hand that gives support Neve Michael, a residential home and not the one who needs to receive.”

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

Jewish and Catholic perspectives on sin and forgiveness

CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

FEDERATI N STAR

Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Published by

By Larry Hermalyn

P

lease join us for an interesting dialogue program: “Jewish and Catholic perspectives on sin and forgiveness” where Rabbi Mark Gross of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island and Fr. George Ratzmann, pastor of St. William Catholic Church, will present their commentaries on the topic. Table discussions will follow the presentations and refreshments will be served.

The program will be presented Sunday, Jan. 21, 2:30 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Road. Please register at Jewishnaples. org for this program presented by the Catholic Jewish Dialogue of Collier County.

4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 239.263.4205 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers

Rabbi Mark Gross

Fr. George Ratzmann

How to raise your voice to protect Jewish and Pro-Israel students on campus

G

uest Speaker: Dr. Rebecca M. Pinchevsky, Regional Assistant Director, Southeast Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF). Join us as we discuss the current campus climate for Jewish and pro-Israel students, how ACF mobilizes alumni to engage with college administration and campus leadership, and how you can leverage your power as alumni and concerned community members. Monday, December 18 at 1:30 p.m. Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Please register for this free program at www. jewishnaples.org Dr. Pinchevsky is an alum of Yeshiva University and Florida Atlantic University, with a bachelor's degree in Jewish Studies and a PhD in education. Her professional background is in the corporate and educational nonprofit sectors. As the Southeast

Dr. Rebecca M. Pinchevsky

Regional Assistant Director, she oversees alumni work combating antisemitism on college campuses from Florida through the Carolinas, and across to Texas and Oklahoma. This program is brought to you by: Jewish Community Relations Council, Men’s Cultural Alliance, Women’s Cultural Alliance, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and Alums for Campus Fairness (www.campusfairness.org).

Welcome guests to our new center with a brick paver By Eduardo Avila, Campaign Associate

W

ould you like to add your name to a brick paver as a welcome to guests visiting our new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center? Contact me at eavila@jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205. BRICK PAVER ORDER FORM Donor Information Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ State _________________ Zip Code __________________________ Email __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Donation Amount (S) ______________________________________________________________________________________ Make your check payable to JFGN and send it, with this completed form, to: JFGN, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119. Indicate how you want your engraved brick to read, using this grid for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. Each row counts as one line of text; use only the amount of lines specified below for your brick. 12” x 12” Engraved Brick - room for 8 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($1,800) 8” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 6 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($720) 4” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($360)

Board Chair: Nathaniel Ritter Vice chairs: Marc Saperstein, Arlene Sobol, Beth Wolff Secretary: Rosalee Bogo Treasurer: Steve Strome Immediate Past Chair: Jane Schiff

Board of Directors

Frank Baum, Myra Benedikt, Patti Boochever, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Paula Filler, Cheryl Ginsburg, Steve Iser, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Elliot Lerner, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Michael Rubinstein, Anne Schuchman, Michael Sobol, Jay Weiss, Jeff Zalasky, Board Member Emeritus: Alvin Becker, Emerita, Phyllis Seaman

Past Board Chairs

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson (z’’l), Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo, Judge Norman Krivosha (z’’l), Alvin Becker, Jane Schiff

Synagogue Representatives

Stan Alliker, Cantor Donna Azu, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Rabbi Ammos Chorny, Rabbi Mendel Gordon, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, Rabbi Mark Gross, Joseph Henson, Rabbi Howard Herman, Rabbi Adam Miller, Charles Flum, Rabbi James Perman, Dr. Arthur Seigel, Len Teitelbaum, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Staff

Jeffrey Feld: Federation President & CEO Eduardo Avila: Campaign Associate Reneé Bialek: Program Director Michelle Cunningham: Receptionist Courtney DeVault: Accounting Manager Alicia Feldman: Development Director Amber Ferren: PJ Library Coordinator Savannah Kelly: Marketing Communications Manager Pat Pastorius: Facility Assistant Linda Sherman: Receptionist Phil Zoltek: Facility Manager

Federation's mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of Jewish life by recognizing and supporting the charitable, educational, humanitarian and social service needs of the Jewish community locally, nationally, overseas and in the state of Israel. Programs include: • Annual Community Campaign • Celebrate Israel • Educational & Cultural Programs • Israel Advocacy Committee • Israel Scouts • Jewish Book Festival • Jewish Community Relations Council • Jewish Young Professionals • Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance • Men’s Cultural Alliance • PJ Library • Publication of the Federation Star and Connections magazine • Singles Social Group • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Philanthropy • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and Israel Experiences


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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

Happy Chanukah! Reneé Bialek Program Director

P

Book Festival Events in December Sunday, December 3, 2023 • 7:00 PM

(ALL Patrons and ticket holders will receive a book.)

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom discusses his powerful novel that moves from a small village in Greece during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption. Sponsored by Ginsberg Eye

Thursday, December 14, 2023 • 1:00 PM

Kantika, A Novel by Elizabeth Graver

Kantika, a remarkable, lyrical work that conjures and embellishes the journey of the author’s maternal grandmother from Istanbul to Barcelona, Havana and New York, is the novel that many of us have been waiting for. It is a beautiful work of historical fiction that tells the epic story of a modern Sephardic family with sensitivity, intimacy and cultural responsibility.

Please visit jewishbookfestival.org to learn about becoming a patron or to purchase individual tickets.

lease join us at the Community-wide Chanukah Celebration on Monday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m. on the lawn at Mercato. Rachel CoxRosen, anchor and reporter from WINK News will be our emcee. Hear beautiful music from Naples Klezmer Revival Band and listen to the children from our community and from Temple Shalom sing Chanukah songs. Buy delicious latkes and sufganiyote from Chef Dalia and stop by Poppin Up with Erika to see her balloon decor. Two lucky raffle winners will take home a Chanukah-themed centerpiece. Get a balloon creation from Melody the clown and enjoy various activities at each table. Please register so we can plan accordingly at https:// jfgn.regfox.com/ chanukah-celebration.

• Temple Shalom Preschool • Temple Shalom Sisterhood • Women’s Cultural Alliance Jewish Book Festival begins on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Temple Shalom with Mitch Albom, author of “The Little Liar.” Ginsberg Eye Opthalmology is the exclusive sponsor for this event. Elizabeth Graver, author of “Kantika: A Novel” will present on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. If you became a patron prior to Dec. 29, your name will be listed in the next Federation Star. If you don’t see your name in this issue, now is the time to become a patron or buy tickets! Please visit www.jewishbookfestival.org for more information or to buy individual tickets. The Singles Social Group offers monthly events. Please email Michelle at mcunningham@ jewishnaples.org to let her know you are a JFGN member, Jewish, single and ready to meet new friends. The group will consist of two separate age groups, so email specifics to Michelle.

Important January dates to save

• Monday, Jan. 15 is the MLK Jr. Parade. Rachel Cox-Rosen Meet us at 10 a.m. and walk with us in the • Beth Tikvah parade that starts at • BBYO 11 a.m. • Chef Dalia – • Tuesday, Jan. 30, purchase food, Latke the Annual Klezmer Bar and Sufganiyote Revival Band will play • Collier County at the South Regional Sheriff's Office – Library. Become a VIP kid table for reserved seats at $18 • Hadassah each. Or attend for free • Jewish Federation of by registering via Collier Greater Naples County Library. • Jewish Federation Please register for of Greater all events at www. Naples, Women's jewishnaples.org. Philanthropy Dates and times of • Jewish Historical Chef Dalia upcoming events are Society of SWFL announced on our website homepage. • Jewish National Fund If you aren’t receiving our weekly Mon• Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance day e-blast, please email me at rbialek@ • Jewish War Veterans jewishnaples.org. Registration is required • Jewish Young Professionals to receive Zoom links, which are emailed • Melody the Clown two hours prior to the start of each event. • Men’s Cultural Alliance We have a variety of groups and com• Naples Family Martial Arts mittees at JFGN, such as PJ Library, • Naples Jewish Congregation Cardozo Legal Society, Catholic-Jewish • PJ Library Dialogue, Israel and Overseas Commit• Popping Up with Erika tee, and Jewish Community Relations • Temple Shalom Council. Please join the group and/or • Temple Shalom Judaica Shop committee that best fits your needs. • Temple Shalom Men’s Club

Visit these tables

OF GREATER NAPLES

Klezmer Band


JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

Federation Star

7

Jewish unity through music with the Alta Rockers By Felicia Anchor, Program Committee Member

T

he Alta Rockers is a group of vintage men who find fellowship playing music from their youth. With instruments comprised of nine guitars, a harmonica and a banjitar, they come together weekly to play, sing, improvise and laugh. Over the past seven years, playing for Jewish and other nonprofits, the experience has become extremely meaningful to all involved. The Alta Rockers pride themselves on curating a growing song catalog that encompasses several musical genres. Members include Don Belmont (Founder), Ken Anchor, Ken Brown, Harry Chertok, Buzz Cohn, Andy Ichel, Larry Israelite, Sam Miller, Rabbi Frank Muller, Randy Solomon and Alex Wertheim.

Please join us for an engaging singalong for the entire family on Sunday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Words will be displayed to enhance participation. Admission is free but please register at www.jewishnaples.org so we can plan accordingly.

JOIN US

For a singalong for the entire family Sunday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Alta Rockers

Two PJ Library and family Chanukah events By Amber Ferren, Coordinator for PJ Library & PJ Our Way

T

his month, PJ Library will host a Chanukah event at the Collier County Library — Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. for children of all ages and their families! Get ready for dreidel spinning, music, crafts, snacks, friends and, of course,

Chanukah stories! A special guest, Ms. Jane, will make Chanukah music with all of us! Please register on the library website for December events! On Dec. 11 at 5 p.m., PJ Library will have a booth at the wonderful Chanukah event at Mercato in Naples. Please

come by, visit us and celebrate! Come for menorah lighting, entertainment, music, food and fun! Please register at www. jewishnaples.org for this free event so that we can plan accordingly. Please be sure to follow PJ Library Federation of Greater Naples on Facebook

and @naplespjlibrary on Instagram for upcoming events and up-to-date info on all things local for PJ Library.

UPCOMING EVENTS January

30

March

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Shabbat

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Purim

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Estate Planning and Trust Administration

Divorce, Marital & Family Law

May

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8

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

We Stand with Israel

How I finally lost 65 pounds and kept it off By Diane Lynn, Weight Loss Coach

M

y doctor had advised me to overweight like “I can’t wait until this lose 50 pounds for five condiet’s over so I can eat whatever I want” secutive years. The fifth year, and “If no one sees me eat it, it doesn’t she told me I was prediabetic count.” If I continued to and would be fully diabetic if think this way, of course, I’d I didn’t change. Knowing the gain the weight back! challenges faced by my diabetic What I learned was so brothers, I was determined to important that I quit my prevent this outcome. In my corporate career and became quest for a diet plan I hadn’t certified as a weight loss yet tried, I unexpectedly discovcoach. After coaching hunered weight loss coaching. The dreds of clients, I’ve concoach explained I could retrain densed what I learned into Diane Lynn my brain to not want junk a series of six online classes food as much and learn to manage stress called Permanent Weight Loss for Emowithout eating chips. tional Eaters. I hired the coach and was astounded Join us in January if you’d like to learn by what I learned and my results — how to rewire your brain to finally be I lost 65 pounds! It became evident free from the addiction and in control of that retraining my brain was the only your weight. Learn more on the JFGN way I’d ever have been able to lose website at www.jewishnaples.org. that much and keep it off. I discovered A portion of your tuition benefits Jewish sneaky thoughts that were keeping me Federation of Greater Naples. OF GREATER NAPLES

Donate to the Israel Emergency Relief fund at www.jewishnaples.org/donate.

Sit and stand with poles and bands The fun way to greater strength and better balance By Shari Greenberg, Fitness Instructor

W DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE

Monday, January 15, 2024

Meet: 10:00 am • Parade Start: 11:00 am Location: Broad Avenue S & 3rd St. S

Please walk in the MLK Jr. parade with the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Come hold our banner while we walk in the parade!

CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER The celebration will continue with food, music and entertainment at Cambier Park. The Jewish Community Relations Council is looking for volunteers to walk with us in the parade. This is a family friendly, kid friendly program and everyone is invited to walk with us.

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL! The first 50 registrants will receive a free t-shirt to wear in the parade. Wear comfortable shoes! Please register to walk with us at: www.jewishnaples.org OF GREATER NAPLES

ith passion and purpose, After several class sessions, you will Shari Greenberg brings a begin to notice less pain and stiffness, fitness strategy to support resulting in greater ease of movement, your lifestyle to each 45-minute class, along with a greater sense of confidence which is designed to safely guide parand a bonus of more smiles! ticipants through a total body moveThe classes will be held at the Nina Iser ment experience. Jewish Cultural Center as follows: Each session includes fun Tuesdays in January (Jan. activities to build and enhance 2, 9, 16 & 23) strength, endurance, balance, Pole Walking Class, 10:30agility and posture. While 11 a.m., $8 per class targeted to all levels, those Sit/Stand/Poles/Bands, who engage in racquet sports, 11:15 a.m.-noon, $12 golf and other activities will per class also benefit. Wednesdays in February Each class begins with (Feb. 7, 14, 21 & 28) a warmup while seated or Pole Walking Class, 1-1:30 standing. With a strong focus p.m., $8 per class Shari Greenberg on balance, Shari integrates Sit/Stand/Poles/Bands, both static and dynamic 1:45-2:30 p.m., $12 per class exercises throughout each class session. Wednesdays in March (March 6, 13, Resistance bands are a great way to 20 & 27) target upper and lower body to improve Pole Walking Class, 1-1:30 p.m., $8 strength, flexibility and overall conditionper class ing. Walking poles will be introduced Sit/Stand/Poles/Bands, 1:45-2:30 p.m., in creative ways, using all directions of $12 per class movement to allow for increased range of Please register at www.jewishnaples. motion. Walking poles help to improve org or use the direct link: https://JFGN. posture, which promotes better balance regfox.com/sit-and-stand-with-polesin motion. and-bands. Wear sneakers and bring In order to stay functional with less your poles. To encourage good grip and pain and stiffness, we need to move stability, I recommend special Urban and challenge our heart, muscles, bones Poling poles (different from trekking and brains. poles), which I will bring for purchase. To remain steady on our feet, it is (Prices range from $106-$132) imperative to do something active every The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples day. Each week you will learn a new is co-sponsoring these classes and a portion movement pattern to practice at home of the tuition will benefit them. to support and enhance skills learned in class.


December 2023

9

Federation Star

ADVERTORIAL

Siena Lakes Offers Vibrant Senior Living in the Heart of North Naples Discerning seniors who want a maintenance-free, amenity-rich lifestyle are flocking to Siena Lakes,® North Naples’ premier senior living community. Managed by Erickson Senior Living,® a national leader in senior living, Siena Lakes offers a stunning campus, beautiful homes, and an enviable location in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast. There’s never been a better time to discover everything this lifestyle offers.

A predictable Monthly Service Fee covers utilities, property taxes, 24-hour security, on-site dining, and much more.

Amenities for Every Interest All of the community’s resort-style amenities are conveniently located just steps from each apartment home. Residents socialize, dine, and stay active at the Piazza Clubhouse, multiple restaurants, the fitness center, indoor pickleball space, the outdoor pool, bocce courts, the dog

Ideal Location, Worry-Free Lifestyle Nestled in a private enclave close to shopping, dining, beaches, and recreation, Siena Lakes offers a variety of spacious apartment homes. Each stylish floor plan features modern finishes, open concept spaces for easy entertaining, and screened lanais for relaxed outdoor living. A move to this independent living community provides real peace of mind and unmatched value. All buildings have been constructed to meet rigorous hurricane-preparedness standards. Procedures are in place to keep residents safe and operations running smoothly during Florida’s storm season. Interior and exterior home maintenance and repairs are taken care of, leaving residents free to enjoy the many amenities and activities available on campus.

park, and more. And with dozens of clubs to choose from, there are ample opportunities to enjoy current hobbies and explore new ones.

Care at All Levels To ensure residents’ continued good health and well-being, Siena Lakes has a dedicated medical center on campus. Construction is underway on a continuing

care neighborhood offering higher levels of care should you ever need them. These services help residents enjoy life to the fullest now and plan for a secure future.

The Housing Market Is Hot! The Naples-area real estate market is red hot, but there’s no telling how long it will last. For many seniors, there is no better time than the present to make the commitment to vibrant senior living. Don’t be overwhelmed by the moving process. Let us make it easy. At Siena Lakes, future residents are able to take advantage of the Erickson Realty and Moving Services program, which features expert advice on everything from selling your home to downsizing and packing to moving. Our team makes home visits to future residents to help plan the layout of their new apartment home, and much more. Erickson Realty and Moving Services connects seniors with preferred, local real estate agents who ensure that future residents of Siena Lakes receive the best possible return on their homes.

Learn More Today! Call 1-800-597-9105 today to request a free brochure and to arrange a tour of our beautiful campus and available homes.

Siena Lakes Has It ALL! Discover the Best Vibrant Senior Living in North Naples. There are so many reasons to make Siena Lakes your next home: • Ideal location close to beaches, shopping, and dining • Spacious floor plans with high-end finishes • Resort-style amenities steps from your door • Hurricane-ready construction and safety

to receive your free brochure and to arrange a tour before your dream home is gone!

North Naples SienaLakesNaples.com 981358-FS

Only a limited number of homes remain! Call 1-800-597-9105 today


10

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

supports Bubbe’s Jewish Bakery

JCMI BAKE SALE

Sunday, December 3, 2023 • 10:00am – 4:00pm Jewish Congregation of Marco Island 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island

Traditional Homemade Enjoy Our Café Baked Goods Homemade Baked Goods Challah by the slice or piece Babka JCMl’s Famous Cakes Bingo Kosher Brownies Hot Dog & Chips Cookies Coffee, Soda Cheesecake and Water Mandel Bread Rugelach Kugel B u bb Macaroons e's Jewish Bakery Strudel For more information and Chicken Soup visit us online at marcojcmi.com with Matzo Balls! or call the office at 239.642.0800

SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SINCE 1996 Fuller Cremation Center 5325 Jaeger Road Naples, Florida 34109

Fuller Funeral Home 1625 Pine Ridge Road Naples, Florida 34109

239.592.1611 wecare@fullernaples.com

By Bruce B. Rosenblatt, CDP, Owner/Senior Housing Advisor

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he decision to move clients for the visit, if desired. I to a senior living comwill provide an understanding munity is a compliof the terms of the contract cated process. There are many and assist with negotiations, factors to consider, including as appropriate. financial, medical, lifestyle, As a long-time Southwest location and timing. Choosing Florida resident, I have develthe right place adds another oped key relationships with layer of difficulty since the invaluable resources in the typical consumer is unaware area to help people every step of many nuances of each of of the way. Bruce B. the senior living communities Should a move outside of Rosenblatt and probably wants to avoid Southwest Florida be necesmoving to a community with financial, sary, I have developed a network of operational and/or staffing issues. advisors throughout the country who Nicknamed the “Matchmaker” of have ‘boots-on-the-ground’ knowledge Senior Housing, I take the mystery out of the senior living options in those this process through market areas. my 30+ years of expeWa n t t o l e a r n rience and in-depth more… Please join us knowledge of every Jan. 17, 10-11 a.m. at senior living comthe Nina Iser Jewish munity in Southwest Cultural Center for an Florida. educational seminar I meet one-on-one with clients to best “Should I stay, or Should I move?” — understand someone’s needs, wants and Understanding the Senior Living Options preferences. I will help narrow down the in Southwest Florida. RSVP at www. choices, schedule visits and even join jewishnaples.org.

Let’s Take a Trip (or two) You don’t have to go very far to discover interesting places. Join your MCA friends as they visit the: January 9 - Collier County Courthouse and Jail January 17 - Art/Glass Collection of Lawrence Sibrack January 17 - Collier County Mosquito Control

www.FullerNaples.com

You deserve the care of a Real Estate Specialist.

Understanding senior housing in Southwest Florida

January 26 - Studios of WGCU at FCGU

DZ

February 6 - Collier County Operations Center

DEBORAH ZVIBLEMAN REALTOR® | PA

February 15 - Holocaust Museum February 20 - Revs Institute February 28 - Ringling Art & Circus Museums To register, go to: mcanaples.org or scan the QR code below.

Past President of Temple Shalom and Federation Member since 1998. 10% of my net commission will be donated to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in your honor.

Deborah Zvibleman, PA

ABR, AHWD, CIPS, CLHMS, PMN, RSPS, SRES, SFR,TRC

DZvibleman@johnrwood.com

239.272.8878 DebbieSellsYourHome4You.com

Stay connected. Visit www.jewishnaples.org


JEWISH FEDERATION

Federation Star

December 2023

WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

11

www.wcanaples.org / 518-852-3440

WCA, friends and me — we are family By Rhonda Brazina

C

an you imagine being bound and gagged and driven to a new home 1,181 miles away? I was leaving my lifetime home for the unknown. That’s what happened to me in 2009. Well, not quite that dramatic, but it was quite traumatic!

years vacationing there and he always dreamed of living in Florida. Way back, when he asked for my hand in marriage, I immediately said, “Yes.” When he asked me to move to Naples, I said, “No way!” Heated negotiations lasted a full year with bribes offered. Finally, the deal was sealed with a written declaration stating that after a one-year trial, he would return me to my beloved Columbus if I was not completely satisfied! (Call it a moneyback guarantee!) I was fortunate to have made one good friend during my visits to Florida, Sandy Levine. She became my link to life in Naples. I was busy every day. Rhonda Brazina and her first A wise person once Naples friend, Sandy Levine said, “If you have one I had lived the first five decades of my good friend, you will be fine in your life in Columbus, Ohio. I believed my new home.” life was more perfect than an episode of We joined WCA. What did I know? “The Brady Bunch.” When Steve Brazina It sounded like a good idea and cost less moved to Ohio from Philadelphia, than dinner in a Fifth Avenue restaurant. my life was even better for 30-some I signed up for every luncheon offered, years, until he decided that he found a a Spanish class with Paulette, a Foodie new love — Naples, Florida. We spent group, a New Yorker group (even though

KATZ

New York Deli has arrived in Southwest Florida

By popular demand, we now have a physical location!

We have joined Gourmet Mama

2063 Pine Ridge Road, next to Chinatown restaurant

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – 3pm All of your favorites are there for dining in or takeout. Delivery remains available.

In addition to our regular menu, we now have

Bagels & Lox • Baked Salmon • Whitefish Salad • Katz Hot Dogs Catering & platters available See our full menu and order online at

KatzNYDeli.com

I was from Ohio), canasta, and more. I can still remember the New Member Coffee and the friendly newcomers I met. I was even inspired to host a coffee at my house! Currently, I am especially enjoying the WCA Creative Writing group led by volunteer Iris Shur. I am appreciative of the opportunity it provides to practice my writing skills. I had found my new home and I loved my new life in Naples. The diverse group of women that I met in WCA

provided a network of very close friendships as well as cadre of acquaintances. I run into WCA women everywhere I go. Since my husband passed away in 2022, these friends have been here to help me through the greatest loss of my life. No, I am not going back to Ohio — other than for visits. Naples is now my home, and I cherish the friends I have found here. They are my family now. WCA, friends and me. We are family.

WCA is a Community of Friendship Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be with other wonderful women!

Not a member? Join today! You will be glad you did. Visit our website: WCAnaples.org and click on Membership. QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Chair Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com

OUR 31ST YEAR!

NAPLES COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA 2024 SEASON January 13, 2024 Light Classics Around the World February 24, 2024 Viennese Classics March 23, 2024 Romantic Classics April 13, 2024 Spring Classics All concerts will be held at Moorings Presbyterian Church 791 Harbour Drive, Naples at 3:00pm

Artistic Director Alvin Ho

TICKETS ON SALE SOON! www.naplescommunityorchestra.org $40/Single ticket • $130/Series • Students free of charge


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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

December 2023

www.MCANaples.org / 508-733-9427

MEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

MCA — back for its 11th season By Michael Sobol, MCA President

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he 11th season of MCA is underway. Our program committee has worked throughout the summer to put together programs covering a wide range of topics such as: tours and trips, discussion groups, dining options, speaker programs, films, sports and leisure, fun and games, and volunteer activities. On Oct. 25, MCA men toured the Bonita Springs wastewater treatment plant. The facility processes over six million gallons of sewage water each day and 1.3 billion gallons each year. Raw sewage is processed through the reclamation treatment plant. The cost to treat this water amounts to one-half a penny per flush. The men were ushered through the plant and witnessed the process of cleaning the incoming wastewater. A very popular MCA program is the Dine Around. On Sunday night, Oct. 29, we enjoyed two sittings at AZN Azian Cuizine at the Mercato Center. MCA members and their partners were treated to delicious food and wonderful conversation. Then came a first for MCA after all these years … couples bocce. On Nov. 2, 19 couples enjoyed a rigorous game of bocce followed by dinner at Joey D’s. Fun for all! Remember the ’60s? Well MCA members and their guests were treated to a lively evening of fun and music, as we turned the Nina Iser Center into a sock hop dance hall. As you may remember, a sock hop is a dance party from the ’50s and ’60s, where teens would take off

their shoes and dance in their socks on the wooden floor in the school gymnasium. The evening included dancing to music that was popular in the ’50s and ’60s. Everyone who attended had a blast from the past! On Nov. 7, over 200 members of MCA and WCA attended a screening of “Baltic Truth,” the first film of the season in the Brazina Documentary Film Series in the Nina Iser Center. Hosted by award-winning Israeli performer Dudu Fisher (“Les Misérables”), “Baltic Truth” exposes the tragic events of the first months of World War II in the Baltic states and how almost the entire Jewish community of the occupied Baltic nations was eliminated by faceto-face executions, one bullet at a time, with the assistance of the local population, before the final solution, before Auschwitz and before gas chambers. The film reflects

the need for accuracy of Holocaust history and does not allow the shifting of blame simply onto Nazis, and the exculpation of Latvian and Lithuanian perpetrators. The Brazina Documentary Film Series continues on Dec. 5 with a unique holiday treat — our first ever double feature. The first film will be “The Nazi, the Rabbi, and the Camera.” This is the story of a young rabbi who traveled to Germany, the country that, on the one hand, is responsible for the death of his relatives in Poland but, on the other, also gave birth to the rabbi’s greatest passion — the Leica

35mm camera. The second film will be “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas.” This film was shown several years ago and has since become one of the most often requested films. Two days later, MCA held the season kickoff of one of its most popular and longstanding programs — The MCA Monthly Luncheon. We were honored to have Paul Hiltz, CEO of Naples Community Hospital Healthcare, as our guest speaker. Paul spoke about the history of the hospital and plans for growth in the future. Almost 100 men joined the luncheon speaker and Q&A at the Audubon Country Club. The next luncheon, also at Audubon Country Club, is scheduled for Dec. 14. The speaker, Laurence S. Kalkstein, will focus on the impact of heat, the leading weather-related killer in the United States, and present-day innovative technologies that can significantly lessen the negative health consequences of excessive heat events, Lots of other programs are taking place as the season unfolds. Please check out our website, MCANaples.org, for a full description of all our programs or click the QR code included here.


December 2023

Federation Star

13

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e r t a e h T l a c i s u M r e i m Naples’ Pre

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888-966-3352 BI COKOE T S www.Theatre.Zone T N O W TZ19_JewishFedFullPg_Jan24.indd 1

11/13/23 6:12 PM


14

Federation Star

December 2023

ELLIOTT KATZ LECTURE SERIES At Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Join ELLIOTT KATZ and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples for six more History Uncompromised presentations that challenge the conventional view of many 20th century events. Meticulous research supports critical assessments made, and archival and original documentation is utilized to demonstrate that history is often recorded or revised to fit political, public and media prejudices and predilections.

EVENT DETAILS TIME: 10-11:30 a.m. with a Q&A following LOCATION: Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center PRICE: Series tickets are $145 pp Individual tickets are $30 pp

FRIDAY PRESENTATION SCHEDULE Oct. 6: “Oh Canada”

When it came to accepting Jewish refugees from Europe from 1933 until 1948, no Western democracy exceeded Canada in its zeal to limit such immigration, a policy the country later apologized for.

Oct. 13: “The Universities. The lvys and The Jews”

In the 1920s and ’30s, many Ivy League Universities were anxious to limit the number of Jewish students while simultaneously rolling out the welcome mat for Nazi students.

Nov. 3: “Hooray for Hollywood” Hollywood’s film moguls decided to take action against the West Coast Nazis who seemed hell bent on spreading their poison and infiltrating the movie industry.

Nov. 17: “Casablanca”

Morocco, Vichy France and a city teeming with refugees, collaborationists’ and spies was also the site where Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill met to determine the fate of Europe. You will be surprised at what FDR said there about the Jews.

Dec. 1: “Hitler’s Jewish Princess”

Hitler called her, “My Princess.” He was enamored with this Jewish woman, FDR despised her. How did she end up?

Dec. 15: “The Farhud”

For thousands of years, Iraqi Jews prospered in their Mesopotamian homeland. Then the acknowledged leader of the middle eastern Arabs decided it was time for a pogram. It was called The Farhud.

PURCHASE SERIES OR INDIVIDUAL TICKETS AT WWW.JEWISHNAPLES.ORG

OF GREATER NAPLES


ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

December 2023

GREATER NAPLES JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL

Interest in Jewish Book Festival Kickoff event necessitates move to larger venue By Robin Mintz, Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival Chairperson

W

e are thrilled by the outstanding support from the community for this season’s Jewish Book Festival. The response to the kickoff event with Mitch Album is so tremendous that we moved the event to Temple Shalom in order to accommodate everyone who wants to attend. We look forward to seeing you at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples (for this event only) as we kick off the 2023-24 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival. This year our lineup includes a variety of “great reads.” The very talented Carole J Greene, writer, editor and JBF committee member will be providing us with a

“sneak preview” of three of the books. I know you will enjoy her review of “Kantika: A Novel” by Elizabeth Graver, who is presenting on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. Reviews of “Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler” and “The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World” by Jonathan Freedland will be in the January and February Federation Star issues, respectively. It’s not too late to become a Jewish B o o k Fe s t i v a l patron or to purchase individual tickets if you haven’t had a chance. Please visit jewishbook festival.org or call Reneé or Michelle at 239-263-4205. OF GREATER NAPLES

Federation Star

15

www.jewishbookfestival.org

A review of “Kantika” A Jewish Book Festival book being presented Dec. 14 By Carole J Greene

M

ost of the Jews in the Greater Naples area trace their ancestry to the shtetls of Eastern Europe — the Ashkenazic diaspora. They are more familiar with Yiddish than with Ladino, the language of the Sephardic Jews — those hailing from the Mediterranean areas of the diaspora. For that reason, Elizabeth Graver’s latest novel, “Kantika,” offers illuminating keys that open doors to Sephardic culture and history. Although it is a personal history drawn from actual events in the life of her own grandmother, this saga is so much more. Graver blurs the line between fact and fiction, utilizing the actual names of many of her maternal ancestors while embellishing, where necessary, the details of their lives. As she puts it, “I changed facts to suit the story, imagined inner lives and invented liberally at every turn.”

“Kantika,” “song” in Ladino, paints a portrait of one family’s displacement across four continents. It revolves around her grandmother, Rebecca Cohen, who grows up as the feisty daughter of Sephardic elite in early 20th-century Istanbul. The collapse of the Ottoman empire spells the end of the family’s high status, and Cohen is forced to flee to whatever culture would have her: first Barcelona, then Havana and, finally, New York City. Each move presents new challenges that motivate Cohen to discover inner strengths, and readers to unspool an inspiring tale peppered with Ladino phrases to add to their other modes of Jewish expression. Graver herself will explore more elements of this sensitive historical novel when she is the speaker at the second event of this season’s Gre a t e r Na p l e s Jewish Book Festival. Hear her tell more of this fascinating story on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25, available through JewishBookFestival.org.

While Preparing for the Profound Transition,

Be Understood

Avow knows and respects Jewish traditions about living with serious illness and the return of the soul to G-d at the end of its journey in the world. Our hospice program is certified by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, and every staff member studies Jewish customs and beliefs about end of life so we can care for you and your family. When it’s time for hospice, call us 24/7/365 to speak to people who know your values and needs. Visit our website to see the dozens of support groups we offer for adults and children dealing with loss. HOSPICE • PALLIATIVE CARE • GRIEF SUPPORT • CHILDREN’S SUPPORT THROUGH AVOW KIDS ®

Avow | Florida Hospice License 5022096 | (239) 430-3653 | 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples FL 34105


16

Federation Star

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

December 2023

Comedian and author Joel Chasnoff featured in two December events “Celebration of Jewish Life” By Rabbi Fishel Zaklos, Chabad Naples

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Celeb ra

ife hL is

he “Celebration of Jewish Life” Jewish experiences. From his nine years in program hosted by Chabad of Jewish day school to his IDF service and Naples brings a showcase of the challenge of raising Jewish kids, his Jewish presenters to Naples to entertain, stories are those that make us who we are. enrich and empower community members. A favorite in the Jewish world for more It provides opportunities to come together than 20 years, Chasnoff has performed at for cultural experiences and to explore more than 1,500 synagogues, JCCs and the richness and diversity of Jewish life. Chabads in America, Europe and Israel. The December events feature Joel ChasJoin us on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. noff, stand-up comedian, former IDF at Chabad (1789 Mandarin Road) for soldier and author of multiple “Jewish Comedy Night.” nonfiction books. Tickets are $25 for general o ion f Jew t Chasnoff’s comedy is clever, admission in advance ($30 at clean, hip and hilarious. the door); $54 for VIP seatHis humor is based on real ing; $100 for a private cocktail 2023-24

CJL •

Enrichment Entertainment Empowerment Enlightenment Engagement

reception with Chasnoff from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and VIP seating. On the following afternoon, 2 p.m. at the Naples Conference Center (1455 Pine Ridge Road), join us for “Celebrate Israel: An afternoon of stories, reflection and conversation with Joel Chasnoff.” Chasnoff will have copies of his new book, “Israel 201,” available for purchase and signing. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. For details on these and the other “Celebration of Jewish Life” events and to order tickets, visit CJLnaples.com or call 239-262-4474.

Joel Chasnoff

The Jewish heritage in American folk-art exhibit By Arlene Stolnitz

S

o, you ask (having read my article in the October Federation Star article), what is this subject all about? In the 1980s, the Jewish Museum and the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City collaborated in an exhibition they would call “The Jewish Heritage in American Folk Art.” It explored a subject which was largely unknown to scholars. There was virtually little or no

information readily available. Naturally, specialists in both Jewish religious ceremonial art and American folk art were apprehensive. They were not even sure if there was enough material for an exhibit. However, researchers continued their exploration and, two years later, curated an impressive collection of significant pieces, many of which were previously unknown. The exhibit was so impressive

CHANUKAH

DINNER PART Y

and

25th ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION! DECEMBER 11, 6:30pm CYPRESS WOODS COUNTRY CLUB, NAPLES Featuring cocktails, an elaborate buffet dinner, and entertainment Guest Fee $85 per person

RSVP by December 7 at NaplesJewishCongregation.org

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION A S M A L L C O N G R E G AT I O N W I T H A B I G H E A R T

that it later traveled to several major cities According to researchers at The Jewacross the U.S. ish Museum, Ring was born in Vishya, The exhibit included items such as Lithuania and emigrated to the United ketubahs (marriage contracts), prayer States in 1902. He was a widower with shawl bags, pinkas (registers), omer counfive children. He earned his living as ters, memorial plaques, matzah covers, a Hebrew teacher and scribe (sofer) in seder towels, mizrachs (plaque denoting Rochester. His expertise, however, was in Eastern Wall), Torah binders, microhis creation of memorial plaques and mizgraphic portraits, challah covrachim, which were displayed ers, silhouettes, circumcision admiringly in synagogues record, ceremonial chairs and throughout the community. even carousel horses (to be To understand the imporexplained in a later column). tance of his work, and of With major grants from others who were producing The National Endowment Judaic artworks during that for the Arts and the New time, we must understand York State Council on the that period. During the late Arts, along with several fam1900s, there was a great influx ily foundations, the exhibit of Jewish immigrants into the was organized by Norman L. United States from Eastern Kleeblatt, long-time curator, Europe. They brought with Arlene Stolnitz critic and consultant at the them many of their crafts Jewish Museum in New York and the late known to us as “folk art.” Their expertise Gerard C. Wertkin, past director of The in the field of handicrafts was considerable. American Folk Art Museum. Among them were cap making, haberSo, what has all of this got to do with dashery, boot making, goldsmithing, and my family? more. There were also lesser handicrafts, One beautifully sunny day (rare in often extremely original and beautiful in Rochester, NY), my husband and I their simplicity. With little contemporary received a phone call from Rabbi Abradocumentation, knowledge of these crafts ham Karp, z’l, who at that time was our is scarce. These lesser-known handicrafts esteemed rabbi at Temple Beth El, a were the subject of the exhibit “The Jewish Conservative temple in Rochester, NY. Heritage in American Folk Art.” He informed us that our My next article will focus on the family possessed some art of paper cutting, popular in pieces of Judaic artwork Poland in the late 1900s. that could be an important Baruch Zvi Ring was a “maspart of an upcoming exhibit ter” in that art form. His works being organized by the Jewish are still displayed, not only in Museum of New York and the synagogues but in Judaic art American Folk Art Museum. galleries in Eastern Europe as As a scholar and historian of well as the U.S. Judaica, Rabbi Karp owned “See” you in my next artiseveral of these pieces, which cle with a discussion on the art of paper were paper-cuts, and knew of others in cutting, its origin and influence on various synagogues in the Rochester enviAmerican Folk Art. rons. Rabbi Karp also knew the artist was Arlene Stolnitz, the “Jewish Music” conBaruch Zvi Ring, my husband, Avrum (A. tributor to Federation papers the past eight Harvey) Stolnitz’ s maternal grandfather! years, is starting a new series focusing on An interesting aside is that Ring was Judaic folk art. A native of Rochester, NY, my father’s Hebrew teacher, a fact I did Stolnitz is a retired educator and lives in not discover until many years later. Venice, Florida.


Federation Star

December 2023

CJLnaples.com

17

CJL 2023-24

Music • Comedy • Theater • Food • Israel • Sports • Children • Pop Culture • Wisdom • Heroes

Celebrate Jewish Life in Naples at these two December events Live from Naples, it’s Jewish Comedy Night with Joel Chasnoff!

Tuesday, December 12:

7:00 - 8:30pm at Chabad of Naples, 1789 Mandarin Road 6:00 - 6:30pm • Private Reception with Joel Chasnoff, including cocktails and snacks Light nosh and beverages after the show Joel Chasnoff is not your zayde’s Jewish comedian. Joel’s comedy is clever, clean, hip and hilarious. Best of all, his humor is based on real Jewish experiences, not stereotypes. From his nine years in Jewish day school to his service in a combat unit of the IDF and the challenge of raising Jewish kids today, Joel’s stories are the stories that make us who we are. A favorite in the Jewish world for more than 20 years, Joel has performed at more than 1,500 synagogues, JCCs, Jewish Federations, Hillels and Chabads in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Israel. Highlights include sold-out shows at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia and Montreal Just-For-Laughs, multiple appearances at Limmud UK, two off-Broadway shows, Jewish conferences on three continents, and Israeli late-night TV. For Joel, comedy is about more than just laughter – it’s about community.

When We Laugh Together, We Are Together

Tickets: $25 for general admission in advance ($30 at the door) $54 for VIP seating $100 for private cocktail reception & VIP seating

Order your tickets to these and all CJL events

at CJLnaples.com or call 239.262.4474

Celebrate Israel: An Afternoon of Stories, Reflections and Conversation with Comedian and Author Joel Chasnoff Wednesday, December 13 • 2:00 - 3:30pm Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Road

Joel’s original plan was to talk to the Naples audience about his newest book, Israel 201, which goes beyond the typical introductory “101” course to show readers the real Israel, behind the headlines. Based on the authors’ own experiences living in Israel for a combined 25 years and interviews with Israeli experts like Fauda co-creator Avi Issacharoff, Olympian Yael Arad and others, Israel 201 is a behind-the-scenes look at the magic, mystery and, yes, the chaos of one of the most fascinating and least understood countries on earth.

This event is sponsored by JNF-USA Naples

While the book will be for sale and Joel will talk a bit about its contents, he will shift focus to share his personal and professional insights as they relate to Israel. Come and be engaged and enlightened as we celebrate Israel through stories, reflections and conversation.

$18 in advance • $25 at the door • books for sale and signing at the event Thank you to our CJL sponsors!

Federation Media Group


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Federation Star

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

December 2023

Five movies (two very Jewish) and a documentary By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

E

ditor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in, or identify with, a faith other than Judaism. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. There are quite a few Jewish-connected films this month. So much so, I can’t provide my usual “level” of Jewish and bio-details. Please check online for more “general” biographies.

“May December”

Annual Community Wide

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Monday, December 11 at 5 PM at Mercato on the Lawn Please register at: www.jewishnaples.org so that we can plan accordingly

“May December,” a comedy-drama, opens in a handful of theaters on Nov. 17 (so it will be eligible for Oscar nominations) and begins streaming on Netflix on Dec.1. This film is loosely based on the late Mary Kay Letourneau, a schoolteacher, who was 34 when she began (in 1996) an affair with a student. She had two children with him — one before she went to jail (in 1998) and one after she was released from jail (in 2004) and married him (in 2005). Natalie Portman, 42, plays an actress/ journalist who travels to Georgia to interview Gracie (the “Letourneau” character) and Joe Yoo (Gracie molested him as a child and now he’s her husband of 20 years). Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe have adult twin sons. Advance reviews are very good. The film was directed by Todd Haynes, 62 (“I’m Not There;” “Far from Heaven”). His mother is Jewish and he identifies as Jewish.

“Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford”

Join us for this free event as we celebrate Chanukah and light the Menorah. Entertainment, music, food, and fun! Naples Klezmer Revival Band Chef Dalia will be selling Israeli food Enjoy donuts, gelt, and balloon creations

OF GREATER NAPLES

For sponsorship and/or table reservations, please contact Renee at rbialek@jewishnaples.org

On Dec. 1, Disney+ premieres a new documentary entitled “Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford.” In the words of a publicity release, it “showcases the legendary adventurer” and you “discover the untold story of how Harrison Ford became Indiana Jones.” The documentary calls Ford, now 81, “a once in a generation actor.” It covers his entire life: his early years, “Star Wars” and the five “Indy” films he has made. There are a lot of new interviews about Ford and his work. Ford’s father was Irish, and his mother was Jewish. He was raised secular and has remained so. Also on Dec. 1, Disney+ begins streaming the (Ford) film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which was released last July. It made a lot of money, but not enough to cover its very big budget.

Hanukkah movie – “Round and Round”

Like last year, the Hallmark Channel is nice enough to provide an original Hanukkah movie — along with their usual 25 new Xmas flicks. Entitled “Round and Round,” this movie is

another “Groundhog Day” clone. Plot: Rachel (Vic Michaelis) is stuck in a time loop, reliving her parents’ Hanukkah party. Rachel hopes that Zach (Bryan Greenberg, 45), a nice guy and a party guest, can help her end the “time loop.” (Premieres Dec. 10 at 8 p.m.)

“Wonka”

The second remake of “Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” (1971), “Wonka” opens in theaters on Dec. 15 and is a musical romp “for the whole family” starring the late, great Gene Wilder in the title role. The 1971 film didn’t do well in theaters but became immensely popular over time. The first remake, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005), starred Johnny Depp. It made money, but many didn’t like it. The new remake stars Timothée Chalamet, 27, as Wonka. Chalamet, reports say, can really sing and dance. The rest of the cast is almost all British and not Jewish. Chalamet’s mother is Jewish and he identifies as Jewish.

“Ferrari”

Opening in theaters on Dec. 25, “Ferrari” is set in the summer of 1957, when Enzo Ferrari’s “fast car” empire is in crisis. It focuses on a major endurance race that may save the company. Adam Driver plays Ferrari. The film was directed by Michael Mann, 80. He has directed a number of great films, most of which he wrote (he didn’t write “Ferrari”). They include “Thief,” “Heat,” “Last of the Mohicans” and “Ali.”

“Maestro”

Last but not least is “Maestro,” a film about Leonard Bernstein. It opened in a few theaters in November and premieres on Netflix on Dec. 20. The characters are all “real” and most are/were Jewish. About half of the cast is Jewish, too. I can only devote a few words to each person. All have bios online. The film covers a 30-year period — roughly the time of Bernstein’s marriage to actress Felicia Montealegre (1951) until her death in 1978. Bradley Cooper plays Leonard. He also directed the film, and he co-wrote the script with Josh Singer, 51. Carey Mulligan plays Felicia. The rest of the cast in credit order: Matt Bomer as David Oppenheim, a top music producer; Maya Hawke as Jamie Bernstein, now 71, Leonard’s daughter; Sarah Silverman as Shirley Bernstein, Leonard’s sister; Michael Urie as choreographer/director Jerome Robbins; Brian Klugman as composer Aaron Copland; Gideon Glick as Tom Cothran, radio music director, and possibly Leonard’s lover; Sam Nivola as Alexander Bernstein, now 68, Leonard’s son; and Alexa Swinton as Nina Bernstein, now 61, Leonard’s daughter.


Federation Star

December 2023

NAPLES JEWISH

FILM FESTIVAL 2024

2024

February 4 - “Remembering Gene Wilder” – (English)

This highly anticipated documentary explores the life and career of the legendary comedic actor revealing insights into his life and career with many astonishing surprises. Gene Wilder, the prolific actor and screenwriter, is known all over the world for his endearing roles in classic films. Featuring rare never-beforeseen home videos and memorable scenes from our favorite films. You won’t want to miss it!

• Welcome Back Reception!

February 18 - “Barren” – (Hebrew)

This graceful and compelling Israeli drama touches on the tough topic of infertility in the Hasidic community. When the difference between good and evil is unclear, the family must deal with unresolved secrets that raise fundamental questions about religion and faith. This film will, no doubt, stimulate conversation.

March 3 - “All About the Levkoviches” – (Hungarian/Hebrew)

Sit back and enjoy this contemporary drama about family dynamics telling the story of a generous, stubborn and loving boxing coach who gets along with everyone except his own son. When the son returns to sit shiva for his mother, they are forced to face old grievances.

March 17 - “ Irena’s Vow” – (English)

Fresh off its world premier at the Toronto International Film Festival, this gripping drama tells the true story of a 19-year old nursing student, Irena, who is employed by a Nazi officer. Irena secretly smuggled Polish Jews out of the ghetto and to safety. Irena’s Vow sheds light on the untold stories of courage and compassion during the Holocaust. It serves as a poignant reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the potential for heroism, even in the darkest of times. • Q&A with Guest Speaker: Jeannie Opdyke Smith, daughter of Irena Gut

Basic Festival subscription $100 per person Tickets for individual performances $36 per film, per person

Get your TICKETS at

NaplesJewishFilmFestival.org Inquiries and Sponsorships: admin@naplesjff.com or 239-434-1818

Sponsors

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Federation Star

December 2023

COMMUNITY FOCUS

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & JANET G. AND HARVEY D. COHEN EDUCATION CENTER www.HMCEC.org / 239-263-9200

Messages of mutual respect through the museum both the lessons of the past and their crucial Susan importance now. Suarez The North Wing comprises the Auschwitz President Gallery, the Estelle and & CEO Stuart Price Gallery for Special Exhibits, ith the world still reeling from the Shelley and Steven the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas Einhorn Genocide Galterrorist attack on innocent lery, the Herbert H. civilians, the importance of our Museum’s Schiff Classroom and mission to inspire action against bigotry, our relocated education hatred and violence becomes even more department offices. important. FBI Director Christopher The Price Gallery Wray recently warned that antisemitism has the capacity to Treasurer Alan Englander, Vice Chair Fred Roth, Development Chair Maureen Lerner, is reaching historic levels in the U.S., display larger special noting that while Jews represent about exhibits from other Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez, Board Chair Stuart Price cutting ribbon, Naples Chamber of Commerce representative Matthew Morinello and past Museum Board Chair 2.4% of the U.S. population, they account museums, as well as Fred Hirschovits. Photo Credit: Charlie McDonald Photography for about 60% of all religious-based larger exhibits created hate crimes. inhouse with items While hateful messages that flourAs part of our Grand Reopening, Marshall Besikof, Penni and Mark from the Museum’s Permanent Collecish online can, and do, lead to hateful the Museum hosted a ribbon-cutting Blaskey, Rosalee and Jerry Bogo, Susan tion Archives. The Einhorn Genocide actions, we must continue to push back ceremony with key donors and partners Bookbinder, Paula and Ronald Filler, Gallery is dedicated to an overview of with education and messages of mutual in our expansion and renovation projFGCU Foundation, Eva and Alan human rights and genocides through respect. Our recently reopened Museum ect, a Family Day event with children’s Freeman, Nancy Garfien, Jo Ann Golden, history. The Schiff Classroom will allow is uniquely positioned to do this. The programming and a special Veterans Jim Hale, Bobbi and Randy Heiligman, the Museum to host larger size student additional 3,600 square feet in the new Day program. The latter featured comNancy Kahn, Jan Larson, Bobbie Lublin, field trips and private group tours. AddiNorth Wing and renovated Museum plimentary Museum admission and a Dottie McGovern, Lorelei Meeker and tionally, the classroom provides meeting galleries now provide the space to offer a discussion with Heinz Wartski, Holocaust Geoffrey Grodner, Patti and Sid Price, space for community organizations. deeper focus on the Holocaust as well as survivor and Korean War veteran. Susan and Nathaniel Ritter, Ellaine and Renovations also updated each of the a broad overview on human rights and Richard Rosen, Janet and Howard Solot, Museum’s existing galleries with new other genocides. This will help connect The Luncheon Mindy and Jay Sterns, Phyllis and Steve exhibits, artifact displays and interand engage visitors and students with A live dramatic performance of "Letters Strome and Nancy White active exhibits. from Anne and Martin" will be the highlight of The Luncheon, our annual winter Upcoming exhibits fundraising event. Presented in conjuncand programs The Holocaust Museum & tion with the Anne Frank Center USA, We have an exciting calendar of events the presentation’s script is this season. Exhibits in the Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education based on the writings of new Estelle and Stuart Price Center is proud to announce Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Gallery include: our Grand Re-Opening! Luther King, Jr. The play • Forgeries and the Holouses their iconic words to caust, December 2023 examine their parallel expe• Stitching Histor y riences living in the shadow from the Holocaust, of hatred and prejudice. January-March Many thanks to all who • Lawyers without Rights: plan to attend and to our The Fate of Jewish Lawyers Luncheon sponsors (as of in Berlin after 1933, April 10/31/23 press deadline): through October 2024. • Remembrance Sponsor: Shelley and On Jan. 17 at 2 p.m., we will host Steven Einhorn a special film/Q&A program on “The • Testimony Sponsors: Maureen Rescue in the Philippines.” and Arnold Lerner, and Estelle and In honor of International Holocaust Stuart Price Remembrance Day, we will offer compli• Hope Sponsors: Rissa Grossman, and mentary admission and a special program We invite you to see our beautiful, newly expanded Fran and Rob Nossen on Jan. 26. and updated Museum. Our extraordinary new North • Inspire Sponsors: Silvie and Herb Museum Docent Ellaine Rosen will Wing has 3,600 square feet of new exhibits and Berkeley, Diane and Ron McGinty, and present a three-part lecture series, “Witness displays. The North Wing features the Auschwitz Sandy and Fred Roth to Goodness,” on Feb. 7, 14 and 21 from Gallery, the Shelley and Steven Einhorn Human Rights • Patron Sponsors: Cheryl and Warren 2 to 4 p.m. and Genocide Gallery, the Estelle and Stuart Price Alifeld, Harriet and Louis Berneman, Triumph 2024, our annual fundraisSpecial Exhibits Gallery, and the Herbert H. Schiff Goldie and Lou Bertone, Shirley and ing event, will take place March 6 at the Classroom. Arthrex Conference Center. For more information on hours, ticket purchase and Board Vice Chair and upcoming programs, please visit HMCEC.org. Museum Docent Stuart Mest, M.D. will present a lecture, “The Holocaust: Medically Driven Genocide," on March 20 at 2 p.m. For more information on Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center these exhibits, programs and 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Suite 108, Naples, FL 34110 events, please visit the Museum’s 239-263-9200 HMCEC.org Info@HMCEC.org website, www.hmcec.org.

W


COMMUNITY FOCUS

December 2023

Federation Star

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“Ich red Engelesh!” Zoog mir in Yiddish By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

M

y mom and dad And when I really found out were liberated from what, not who, it was, my Dachau. They met, whole world turned cold and fell in love and got married. chocolate chip. Had me and, two years later, Then again, thinking you my father died from canknow the language and knowcer. My mom and I came to ing it are two different conAmerica and settled in St. cepts. To me, the American Louis, Missouri where she adventure continued when I met and married another surwent to school. There was one Sol Awend vivor. A year later, my brother problem. They didn’t speak was born. Yiddish and I didn’t understand English. Logistics… I’ll wait a minute until it Neither did my parents. sinks in… It was time for lunch one Sunday afterAs a 4-year-old kid, growing up in noon, and I came home and sat down America was an adventure, the sights at the table, famished. “Ma! Voos iz doo and sounds of all the moving parts were t’zeh essen?!” I asked. Without skipping so exciting. Cars, buses, fire trucks and a beat, she answers with a straight face, airplanes groaning, screaming and hissing. “Nah, doo ost deh ah sendevahbeech!” I Everywhere you went there were signs; still see her smiling proudly. She was billboards with smiling fellows lighting speaking Engelesh! cigarettes for smiling women smoking. But then again, it wasn’t all fun and Ads for Coca-Cola were everywhere. And games either. As he tells it, my dad had at night, they all lit up! to take the bus for his job. He got on One name really stuck out from all the the bus and the driver asked him which rest. I thought he had to be the richest stop he wanted. My dad stood there, person in America, because wherever paralyzed, suffering from the ailment I you looked, there he was. His name? encountered. The driver spoke no Yiddish “Ice Crème,” pronounced “Issa Crema.” and my dad understood no English.

I will never forget what happened some five years later in Memphis, Tennessee. Our family was visiting friends. One afternoon, the ladies went shopping; the guys were going somewhere else. It involved a bus ride and when it arrived, we got on. It was an episode of Rosa Parks in reverse. The Black passengers were sitting towards the back of the bus, while everyone else was up front. Except for one person: My dad. He walks to the back of the bus and sits down amongst the different colored riders. There was a commotion and when he was urged to move he said, “No!” In broken English he declared, “Vy I hev to mov? His hartz iz not like mine? Vee are deh same!” Everyone was stunned. He sat there, smiling and looking at his seat mates, who also broke out in geh laac’hteh. Even though they couldn’t really understand each other, everyone knew what would be talked about at the dinner table that night. Perhaps one reason Yiddish has lasted for so long is its adaptability. Remember when cellphones came out? The Internet was blossoming? Terms sprouted up

to identify them. An email became a blitzpost, and your cellphone became deh sellkeh. And my mom, having a name for everything, helped move the conversation along. It seems we had somvehs to go and were hustling out the door. Cheerfully, my mom yells out, “Fah guess nisht Deh Kaakeh mykeh!” I was so caught off guard that I had tears running down my leg from laughing so hard. And there stood my mom, smiling. “Ich red Engelesh,” she commented. I’m sure we could all compare stories and the laughter would be so healing and beneficial. Here then, are the explanations of the words and statements from the stories above. 1. “Ma! Voos iz doo t’zeh essen?!” (Ma! What is there to eat?!) 2. “Nah, doo ost deh ah sendevahbeech!” (Here’s a sandwich!) 3. “Geh laac’hteh.” (Laughter) 4. “Ich red Engelesh!” (I’m speaking English!) 5. “Fah guess nisht Deh Kaakeh mykeh!” (Don’t forget the whatchamacallit!)

WHO’S ON FIRST? SWEET ART GALLERY

O R I G I N A L F I N E C O N T E M P O R A R Y A R T I W W W . T H E S W E E T A R T G A L L E R Y. C O M 852 1ST AVE SOUTH, STE 100 -101, NAPLES FL 34102 I 239 -597-2110 I M-F 10-5 I SAT 11-2 C O M I N G S O O N ! N E W L O C AT I O N AT S AW G R A S S V I L L A G E I P O N T E V E D R A B E A C H , F L

Visit the Federation’s website for a continuously updated community calendar www.jewishnaples.org


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Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

December 2023

2023-2024 GenShoah SWFL programs By Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis

Zoog Mir in Yiddish – November 2023April 2024

Genealogy workshops

Held the third Sunday each month, November 2023-April 2024, 3:305 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum; limit 20 people, RSVP required to attend: hmcec.org (special events)

Annual GenShoah member hors d’oeuvres potluck gathering

Dec. 10, 5 p.m.; Location TBD; limited attendance, RSVP required to attend: Shirley Besikof, shirleybesikof@gmail.com

Open House/New Member Reception

This event for all GenShoah members will be held Jan. 26, 10 a.m.; Holocaust Museum; RSVP required to attend: hmcec.org (special events).

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan. 26, 2024, 1-3 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum; complimentary admission Jan. 26, 2024, 2 p.m., special program; RSVP required for both: hmcec.org (special events)

"Our Stories" GenShoah member get-together

Feb. 4, 1 p.m.; Location TBD; limited attendance, RSVP required to attend: Rene Geist, rene@geistgroup.com

March of the living

Feb. 25 and April 7, 1 p.m.; Location TBD; limited attendance, RSVP required to attend: Shelley Lieb, liebro@gmail.com

The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is sponsoring a “March of the Living” delegation designed for 2G families May 2-9, 2024 in Poland. To sign up for an informational session or for more details, contact Michael Morgenstern at 323-456-5083 or michael@hmla.org.

“They Were Children: Rescue as Resistance” exhibit

March 3, 10 a.m.; FGCU Archives; RSVP required to attend: Shelley Lieb, liebro@ gmail.com

Growing Up Sephardic in an Ashkenazi World by Sam Varsano

Wednesday, March 13, 2 p.m.; Holocaust Museum; RSVP required to attend: hmcec.org (special events)

Yom HaShoah Commemoration

May 5, 4 p.m. at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center; RSVP requested: www. jewishnaples.org Pre-event reception for GenShoah SWFL and survivors at 3 p.m.

Possible book discussions

Locations/dates/times TBD based on interest. Contact Estelle Kafer at ekafer520@gmail.com.

“They Were Children: Rescue as Resistance”

This special Florida Gulf Coast University Library exhibition depicts the story of the

Yiddish Alive Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb Œuvre de Secours aux Enfants (OSE), an organization of ordinary people who did the extraordinary by smuggling Jewish children across the border to Switzerland from 1942-1945. Paris' Mémorial de la Shoah, Œuvre de Secours Aux Enfants Archives and Naples Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center have graciously loaned artifacts and photographs to the University Archives and Special Collections for this exhibition. The exhibit opens Nov. 1. GenShoah SWFL has a special tour arranged for Sunday, March 3 at 10 a.m. Register by sending an email to liebro@gmail.com.

Elliot Katz Lecture Series

Dec. 1 – “Hitler’s Jewish Princess;” Dec. 15 – “The Farhud.” Presentations at 10-11:30 a.m. with Q&A to follow at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Individual tickets $30 pp. To register, go to https://jfgn.regfox.com/elliot-katz-li.

Attendees of this program range from those who have some understanding of Yiddish to those who speak it fluently. We try to speak as much Yiddish as possible but do translate a lot for those less familiar. Zooms on alternate Mondays. Contact Michael Mills at millsms1@ gmail.com, 513-673-9001 or https:// fjmc.org/yiddish-alive-affinity-group. (Thank you, Sol Awend.)

Jewish neighborhoods series

As part of the Yiddish Book Center’s 2023 Decade of Discovery, Yiddish Around the World, memories of Jewish life from Jewish neighborhoods from Montreal to Melbourne have been compiled. Visit https://www.yiddishbookcenter. org/language-literature-culture/wexleroral-history-project-films-features-news/ features/jewish-neighborhoods for more information and access to interviews. (Thank you, Dorothy Schwebel.)

IN THE SHADOW OF AUSCHWITZ: HOW JCC KRAKOW IS REBUILDING JEWISH LIFE IN POLAND AND SUPPORTING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES Everyone is invited to attend this free presentation brought to you by Israel and Overseas Committee and Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, 7 p.m. At the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center Please register at www.jewishnaples.org for this FREE event to allow us to plan accordingly.

ewish Book Festival Sponsors

e are grateful to these businesses and organizations IN THIS TALK upport of the 2019-20 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival: JCC Krakow CEO Jonathan Ornstein will discuss the center’s mission to rebuild Jewish communal life in the shadow of Auschwitz, the idea and celebration of Holocaust Survivor Day, and the impact of the Jewish community’s work with Ukrainian refugees.

Sisterhood

Since its opening in April 2008, Ornstein has served as executive director Temple Shalom of the Jewish Community Centre of Krakow, Poland, an organization devoted to rebuilding Jewish life in Krakow and one of Poland’s most visible signs of Jewish revival. A native of New York City, Ornstein moved to Israel in 1994, lived on a kibbutz in the Negev desert for 7 years and served in a combat unit in the I.D.F. before moving to Poland in 2001 and lecturing in Modern Hebrew at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University Department of Jewish Studies for 6 years.

Strengthening our temple, our community and each other

OF GREATER NAPLES

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MARCO ISLAND COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Residents and guests on Marco Island and vicinity are invited to celebrate on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 5:30 PM Jewish Congregation of Marco Island 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island (239) 642-0800 • www.marcojcmi.com

Join us for a Candle Lighting Ceremony, Chanukah music and lots of holiday spirit for the entire family. Chanukah holiday treats will be served!

SPONSORED BY

Jewish Federation

FEDERATI N MEMBERSHIP According to the bylaws of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $72 or more to the Annual Federation Campaign in our community.

For more information, please call the Federation office at 239-263-4205.


December 2023

Federation Star

AMILY F E L O H W E H T OR F FESTIVAL ! H A N K U U N A F H R A US FO N ELECTRIFYING E V SC ND E N A L I C P I O S A U E M NING OF J DN A B A CH B R E A L T E E E C 2 0 E H Y E W T A R S OF ILLUMINATION AT AS &

NISSIM PRESENT

BLACK HASSIDIC RAPPER

Live in Concert! l and a v i t s Fe ert are conc

FREE

en to and op

all !

4:15 - 5:15 PM: Children's Activities & Rides! Kosher food for sale including Latkes, sufganiot, and hot dogs 5:15 - 6:15 PM: Immerse yourself in the extraordinary music of Nissim Black as he takes the stage, all the way from Israel! 6:15 PM: Special performance by POTA’s students, followed by the kindling of the Menorah.

Thursday

DECEMBER 7

TH

4:15 - 6:30 PM | Cambier Park, Naples Preferred Seating & Sponsorship: Elevate your experience with our Preferred Seating Ticket Options that will give you a prime view of the festivities, and contribute to the festival’s success. Luminous Patron: $108 for 2 tickets | Bronze Glow: $360 for 2 tickets Silver Radiance: $540 for 2 tickets | Golden Light: $1000 for 2 tickets Platinum Illuminator: $3,600 for 4 preferred tickets Diamond Luminary: $5,400 for 5 preferred tickets and kindle the Menorah In addition to sponsored preferred seating, limited reserved seating is available: $54 for 2 seats | $30 for 1 seat Join us in illuminating the celebration and secure your place now! Act swiftly, as these exclusive seats are in high demand and once they’re gone, only standing room will remain.

To reserve preferred seating, explore sponsorship opportunities, and more info visit www.chabadnaples.com/festival or call 263-2620.

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Book Festival Events

SIGN U

All events (except Dec. 3) take place at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center*

Don't miss your this year's Jew JEWISHBOOKFE a Patron or purc

Welcome to this year's Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival. We are so excited to present the following authors for your in-person enjoyment. Please visit jewishbookfestival.org to learn about becoming a patron or to purchase individual tickets. Sunday, December 3, 2023 • 7:00 PM (ALL Patrons and ticket holders will receive a book.)

Thursday, December 14, 2023 • 1:00 PM

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom discusses his powerful novel that moves from a small village in Greece during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the *This event only will take place grace of redemption. at Temple Shalom, Sponsored by Ginsberg Eye

Kantika, a remarkable, lyrical work that conjures and embellishes the journey of the author’s maternal grandmother from Istanbul to Barcelona, Havana and New York, is the novel that many of us have been waiting for. It is a beautiful work of historical fiction that tells the epic story of a modern Sephardic family with sensitivity, intimacy and cultural responsibility.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 • 3:30 PM

Thursday, February 1, 2024 • 1:00 PM

Kantika: A Novel by Elizabeth Graver

4630 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples

Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler,

Because the World is Round

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author comes the compulsively readable and sometimes jaw-dropping story of the life of Polly Adler, Manhattan’s most notorious madam. Her decadent parties made the Jazz Age roar as she played hostess to every gangster, politician, writer and sports star worth knowing.

In her lyrical memoir, Jane Saginaw presents a coming-of-age portrait of both her family and herself. Focusing on a year-long family trip through Europe and Asia in 1970 when she was a teen, Saginaw describes how, in stepping away from their lives in Texas, the family gained a new understanding of their relationship with each other.

by Jane Saginaw

Icon of the Jazz Age by Deborah Applegate

Monday, February 12, 2024 • 1:30 PM Friday, March 1, 2024 • 10:30 AM

The Einstein Effect: How the

The Golden Doves

World’s Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds by Benyamin Cohen

by Martha Hall Kelly

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II — a pulse-pounding novel inspired by true events, from the New York Times bestselling author of "Lilac Girls." Sponsored by Women's Cultural Alliance

Cohen embarks on a global quest to unearth Einstein’s ongoing relevance today. Along the way, he meets scientists and celebrities, speaks to dozens with the last name Einstein (including two rabbis), and even tracks down the brain of Einstein, stolen from his body during the autopsy.

JBF Patrons (as of November 5, 2023) PLATINUM Vera Bergermann Patti Bloom Sue Bookbinder Shelley Einhorn Ellen Frankel Myra Friedman Lisa Gorman Larry Israelite Merrylee Kandel Laurie Keegan Anna Levin Leda Lubin Robin Mintz Annette Pakula Jackie Paulson Susan Pittelman

Estelle Price Stuart Price Nat Ritter Susan Ritter Elaine Rosen Ellaine Rosen Judy Roth Marc Saperstein Jane Schiff Gale Schulman Ilana Seligman Arlene Shapiro Donald Shapiro Phyllis Strome Deborah Waranch

SILVER Anonymous Emily Berkowitz Harriet Berneman Louis Berneman Mark Blaskey Penni Blaskey Rosalee Bogo Cipora Brown Norma Carl Ann Cowen Terri David Arnan Finkelstein Marlene Finkelstein Spencer Forman Louise Forman Susan Garelick Nancy Garfien Nancy Garfinkel

Jan Goldman Diane Goldstein Carole Greene Sherry Greenfield Lenore Greenstein Ronna Hain Linda Hamburger Carol Hirsch Susan Horowitz Wendy Israelite Judy Isserlis Arline Kaplan Bobbie Katz Deborah Kohler Sarann Kraushaar Fran Kroll June Kruger June Kruger

Debbie Laites Dale Lazar Lynn Lazar Dana Lefkowitz Gayle Levy Stephen Light Arlene Litow Marci Margolis Arthur Murphy Laura Murphy Marla Osgood Rick Osgood Steve Podolsky Ben Post Mae Riefberg Linda Scheinberg Anne Schuchman Phyllis Seaman

Mark Shiffman Anita Siegal Abbie Joan Fine Living Sladick Gail Smith Arlene Sobol Susan Sokolov Howard Solot Janet Solot Sharon Stein Joyce Toub Allison Tucker Ferne Walpert Barbara Winthrop Leona Wreschner

Leslie Aderson Lynda Adler Sheryl Affrime Nancy Armocida Diane Aronson Tracy Askotzky Patti Badiner Harvey Becker Joan Becker Lea Bendes Minda Bernberg Rosalyn Bernstein David Bernstein Rose Bernstein Stephanie Bernstein Lynn Bigelman Jill Binder Paula Blachman Jamie Blatter

Patti Boochever Kathy Braddock Rhonda Brazina Phyllis Brodkin Mona Brodsky Tim Broms Peggy Brown Sandy Burton Susan Calkins Deenalil Caplan Barbara Carlstrom Ellen Chaney Jacqueline Chizever Nan Ciralsky Diane Clarke Rochelle Cohen Miriam Cohn Marilyn Davidson Susan Dean


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(Live from London.) ü ($25 at theBenefits: door) 2 $360 $225 Recognition in Federation Star h_ronWeitzman $36 x Congregation ___ =$500 $_____ ($45 at the door) event Patron with an author TBA FastPass & separate check-in *As of October 13th ü ü üü ü ü ü atIsland ü Jewish of Marco Island: 991 xWinterberry Drive, Marco @ 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman $36 ___ = $_____ ($45 the door) a luncheon event ticket for guest ü Tickets to all 12 events (aNaples $320 value) _ NCC: ($35 at the door) Naples Conference Center ü Center:ü1455 ü Conference Pine Ridge Road, Naples Recognition in Federation Star ü ü ü omen’s Hilton Naples: 5111 Tamiami Reserved VIP seating ü Trail N., Naples of theCopy Event) $18 x Jewish ___ = Weitzman $_____ ($256340 at the door) 00pm -Book HN Ken Sutak &Center Elizabeth $36 x ___Way, = $_____ ($45 at the door)of Marco Venues rco Island NCC: Conference Naples Congregation: Napa Woods Naples Congregation of LoriNaples Gottlieb’s book Sisterhood ü ü Reserved ü VIP seating Jewish Island: 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island ü ultural Temple Shalom Sisterhood e Shalom Reserved Temple Shalom: 4630 Pine($35 RidgeatRoad, Naples seating area Become a Book Festival Patron Jewish Book Festival Sponsors ü Hilton Naples: 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples FastPass & separate check-in Frank $25 x ___ = $_____ the door) Strengthening our temple, our community and each other ü ü ü Reserved seating area Naples Conference Center: 1455 Pine Ridge Road, Naples @ 7:30pm TS Lori Gottlieb (People of the Book Event) $18 x ___ = $_____ ($25 at the door) ü No tickets sold Festival Ticket Order Form h_ after Book lliance Jewish Congregation of Marco Island: 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island We are grateful to these businesses and organizations Free book voucher(s) Recognition in Federation Star 2 6340numerous 1 Woods Way,benefits! November 25 Naples Jewish Congregation: Napa Naples ü ü Free book voucher(s) ü 2 and 1 receive 7:30pm - TS$30 Closing Event w/ Jewish Josh x ___& = $_____ ($35 at the door) Book Festival Patron Levels and$25 Benefits ron:Reserved Tickets allx ___ 12 events Naples Conference Center: 1455 Pine Ridge Road, Naples Friedland $30 = $_____ ($40 atFrank door) xseating ___ = $_____ ($40 atthe the door) for their support of the 2019-20 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival: Festival Website Email VIPto Temple Shalom: 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples Patron Gold event with an author TBAan author ü üTBA Platinum Silver Patron event with JewishüBook Festival Patron Levels and6340 Benefits Check the events you will beWay, attending Naples for easy reference: ü ü Congregation: Sisterhood Naples Jewish Napa Woods Patron $500 $360 $225 No tickets sold ach, Alan Zweibel $45 x ___$_____ =Visit $_____ ($55Benefits: at theFestival door) website the official at www.jewishbookfestival.org for more $500 x ___ = total Temple Shalom Reserved seating area luncheon event ticket for guest Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm - HN Elyssa Friedland $40 x ___ $_____ weibel $45 x ___ = $_____ ($55 the(a $320 door) üfor guest Tickets to= all at 12 events value) ü Extra ü November ü ü 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Platinum Gold SilverNaples after 25 Extra luncheon event on Gottlieb’s the and their books, event updates andticket a printable order Andrew Gross & Steve Israel ü Temple Shalom: of Loriat book n Silverman x ___$_____ =information $_____ Copy ($45 the authors door) Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm - NCC ü ü ü $360 ___voucher(s) =$36 total Freexbook Platinum

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Festival Website & Email Schedule of Events: Festival Website & Email Venues

2 check-inthat have 1 tree:  chicken  salmonform.  vegetarian NoPatron tickets sold Benefits: $500 $360 $225 Have questions answered insert? Send an email FastPass & separate - HN Alana=Newhouse x ___in=this $_____ ü $40 ü $36 x=with ___ $_____ ($45 atthe the door) ünot been Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse _n1:30am ($25 at the door) after November 25 itzman $36 x ___ = $_____ ($45 at door) $225 x ___ total $_____ Venues Patron event an author TBA Recognition in Federation Star üthe Federation ü ü office at 239.263.4205. ssert:  pastry Please fruit indicate Check the events you will be ü  chicken ü to fedstar18@gmail.com or call Tickets to all 12 events (a $320 value) Mon, @ 7:00pm - HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel choice of entree:  salmon  vegetarian ü ü üDecember Tuesday, March 26, 2024 • N., 1:00 PMa Book Reserved VIP seating ü Become Jewish Book Festival Sponsors the official FestivalFestival website at Patron www.jewishbookfestival.org for 9more Naples: 5111 TamiamiVisit Trail Naples he Book Event) $18 x ___ = $_____ ($25 seating atat the door) Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival is present ___ =indicate $_____ ($45 the door) Hilton Extra luncheon event ticket for guest Tue, November 5 @ 7:00 _1:30am “$36 xw/ Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman area Luncheon Alana Newhouse ü ü Copy of Lori Gottlieb’s book Please choiceReserved of dessert:  pastry  fruit Jewish Congregation of Marco Island: 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island üFestival ü ü information on the authors andVisit their books, event updates and aWe printable order are grateful to- TStheseMelanie businesses and organizations Check the events youwebsite will be attending for easy reference: Free book voucher(s) and receive numerous benefits! 2 1 e:  chicken  salmon$25 xvegetarian Check the events you will be attending for easy reference: the official at www.jewishbookfestival.org for more Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm Benjamin & Pam Jenoff Mon, November 11 @ 1:0 nk ___ = $_____ ($35 at the door) Hilton Naples: 5111 Tamiami TrailNaples N., Naplescheck-in The Jewish Deli: Illustrated Naples Conference Center: 1455An Pine Ridge Road, Festival Levels and Benefits DEBORAH Tickets to“$18 all 12 events Jewish BookPatron _rt: eventPatron with the an author TBA FastPass & separate ent) door) ü ü for their ofevent 2019-20 Greater Naples üFriedland ü üJanuary form. Have questions that not5 @been answered in this insert? an email have Tue, November 7:00pm - HN  pastry  fruitx ___ = $_____ ($25 atPlatinum Send Mon, 13the @ 1:00pm - NJC Marra B. Gada & Angela HimselJewish information onElyssa the authors and theirsupport books, updates and printable orderBook Festival: Mon, December 2 @ 11:3 Naples Jewish Congregation: 6340 Napa Woods Way, Naples Silver ZVIBLEMAN Jewish Book Festival Patron Levels and Benefits Extra luncheon event ticket forGold guest($25 Venues ü Israel $18 x ___ = $_____ at the door) Jewish Congregation of Marco Island: 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island Guide to the Chosen Food by Ben Nadler Benefits: purchasing $500 a Patron $360 $225 Consider Festival Package. Even can’t Naples makeRecognition it to all in Federation November 11Federation @ 1:00pm - NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Tue, 28 @ 7:00pm - HN Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman Star ___ = “total $_____ Patron toyou fedstar18@gmail.com orMon,call the at Israel 239.263.4205. Temple Shalom: 4630 Pine if Ridge Road, üoffice ü not been üJanuary _0 x Hilton form. Have questions that have answered in thisKeninsert? Send an email Mon, December 9 @ 7:00 Tickets to all 12 events (a $320 value) Naples: 5111 = Tamiami Trail N., Naples ü door) ü ü $25 xJCMI: ___ $_____ ($35 at the 1455 Ridge Platinum Gold - HN Alana Silver No tickets sold your 1:00pm -=NCC Andrew Gross &Island: Steve Israel $18 xConference ___ = $_____ ($25 at thePine door) Mon,Road, December 2Naples @ 11:30am Newhouse 12 you can gift toNaples friends, colleagues andCenter: family members. Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS Lori Gottlieb N: Naples Jewish Cong. of Marco Island Naples Conference Center A celebration of Jewish Copy of events, Lori Gottlieb’s book ü NCC: ü tickets ü delightful 0 Hilton x Jewish ___ total $_____ $40 x ___ $_____ Reserved VIP seating Congregation of = Marco 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island Pam Jenoff $18 x ___ = $_____ “ fedstar18@gmail.com or call the Federation office at 239.263.4205. Thu, December 19 @ 7:0 ü after November Patron Benefits: 6340 Napa Woods $500toWay, $360 FastPass & separate check-in _ “ Naples Jewish Congregation: Naples $225 ü 25 ü ü

Book Festival Ticket Order Form Tickets ARE Transferable

Schedule of Event

Mon, December 9 @ 7:00pm - HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel Wed, February 26 @ 1:00pm - TS Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer Sisterhood Schedu Check thereference: events you will be attending for easy ref delicatessens a graphic format, Festival Website & Email Check the events you will be attending for easy Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm $18 xShalom: ___ = in $_____ “$320 Temple Shalom Reserved seating Tickets to all 12 events (a value) area Thu,ü December 19 @ 7:00pm Chandler & Stephenü Silverman Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm JCMI you will Jack & Jack Hersch ü - HN Adamü Temple 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples pastry  Jewish fruit Check the-events be Fairweather attending for easy reference: Naples Congregation: 6340 Napa Woods ü Way, Naples am:  Himsel $18 x ___ = $_____ “ Visit the official Festival website at www.jewishbookfestival.org for more Check theJanuary events you w Multi-Author Events Frank Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm - HN ElyssaCheck Friedland Luncheon w/Shalom: Alana Newhouse Mon, 13 @ 1:00p the events you will be attending for easy reference: Wed,ü January 8 @ 1:00pm TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm TS Josh ü full of history humor and Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm HN Elyssa Friedland tickets sold Copy and of Lori Gottlieb’s book Free book voucher(s) Temple 4630 Pine Ridge Road,No Naples 2ü 1ARE Transferable ü Tickets $40 x ___ = $_____ 00pm --your NJC Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel x ___ = $_____ “ information $18 on the authors and their books, event updates and a printable order 2 1 cken  salmon  vegetarian Andrew Gross & Steve Israel order tickets: Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm NJC Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel Consider purchasing a Patron Festival Package. Even if you can’t make it to all 7:00pm HN Opening Event w/ Elyssa Friedland $30 x ___ = $_____ ($40 at the door) Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm HN Elyssa Friedland Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Israel after November 25 Tue, January 28 @ 7:00p For events=with thanform. one author, due to that travel arrangements, the order FastPass & separate check-in ümore ü k/Oppenheimer $18thex ___ $_____ “ questions ü guaranteed to you hungry. Have have not make been answered in this insert? Send an email Patron event with anüauthor TBAü HN Kenü stry  fruit  vegetarian Mon, December 11:30am - HN AlanaJewish Newhouse ü Festival Package.  salmon Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm -purchasing Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman ael $18 x ___ = $_____ ($25 at the üdoor) Greater Naples Consider a Patron Even if2 @you can’t make itBook to allFestival is presented by:

JC: Congregation TS: Temple ShalomRoad, Naples chicken total salmon  vegetarian Naples Conference Center: 1455 PineStar 5xNaples ___ =Jewish $_____ Recognition in Federation ü ü ü 1:00pm - TS Melanie Benjamin &Ridge Pam Jenoff

Tickets ARE Transferable in which they Alan present be few xdays prior to door) their event. you’d 12 events, youIf can friends, colleagues andyour family support members. of the Thank you for Festival Website &fortoEmail @ 1:00pm - TSto:Festival Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer $18 ___ =at$_____ “ gift your tickets this order form :00pm - HN Dave Barry, Adam Mansbach, Zweibel $45decided x ___ =a$_____ ($55 the ü Website &willEmail Extra luncheon eventüticket guest Events:  fruit üügift your Schedule toxknow or call 239.263.4205. 12 events, you can tickets to friends,of colleagues and family members. ck Hersch $18 ___ the = $_____ “ Jenoff $18 x ___ =like $_____ “order, please email fedstar18@gmail.com Reserved VIP seating Reserved seating area Free book voucher(s) Patron event with an author TBA Extra luncheon event ticket for guest

Strengthening our temple, our community and each other

Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm - NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse Wed, February 5 @ Israel 7:30p to fedstar18@gmail.com or call the Federation officeStar at 239.263.4205. Recognition in Federation Mon, December 9 @ 7:00pm - HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS Lori Gottlieb Check theDecember events you2will be attending easyNewhouse reference:26 @ 1:00 Mansbach Mon, @ 11:30am - HN for Alana Check the events you will be attending for easy reference: Mon, 9@ 7:00pm - HN Barry, & Zweibel Wed, February ration of Greater NaplesCong. Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN December Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman n Naples JCMI: Jewish of Marco Island atNCC: Naples Conference Center Visit Reserved VIP seating the official Festival website at www.jewishbookfestival.org for more Visit the official Festival website www.jewishbookfestival.org for more Wed,ü February @ 1:00pm -7:00pm TS Bob & Butnick/Oppenheimer @rbilt 7:00pm -Rd., HN Ste.Adam Chandler &Shalom Stephen&Silverman $36 x ___ = $_____ ($45=at$_____ the door) Check thereference: events you will be attending for easy reference: Tue,26November 5 @Check HN Mankoff Elyssa Tue, 59@@7:00pm Friedland & Zweibel 00pm - Congregation JCMI Jack Fairweather Jack Hersch $18 x ___ “ the -events you willFriedland be attending for easy Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff Mon,November December 7:00pm- -HN HN Elyssa Barry, Sisterhood les Jewish Templeand Beach -Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman Wed,Mansbach March 4 @ 1:00pm information on2201 theTS: their books, event updates and a printable order msel $18 xauthors ___ = $_____ “ printable Temple- NJC Shalom event Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather &- HN Jack Hersch information on the authors and a- NCC order Reserved seatingand area their books, updates Mon, November 11 @Tue, 1:00pm Andrew Gross & Steve IsraelFriedland November 5 @ 7:00pm Elyssa Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel ü Andrew Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Gross &&Steve IsraeS Strengthening our temple, our community and each other 4109 Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm HN Adam Chandler Stephen 00pmform. - HNHave questions Ken Sutakthat & Elizabeth Weitzman $36 x ___ = $_____ ($45 at the door) have not tickets been answered inissued. this insert? Sendpurchasing anatemail Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm Mon, December 2TS @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm Josh Frank Consider a Patron Festival Package. Even if you can’t make it to all • Physical will not be Simply check in each event. • If you cannot attend an event, you can give your ticket to a friend. Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Israel Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman All authors appearing at the 2019-20 form. Have questions have not been answered in this1 insert? Send an email Free bookthat voucher(s) ppenheimer $18 x ___ = “ office at 239.263.4205. 2 Mon, 11:30am Newhouse ewish Book Festival! Mon, Wed,December January 8 2@@1:00pm - TS- HN Alana Melanie Benjamin & Pam Je to fedstar18@gmail.com or$_____ call the Federation Hilton Naples: 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples December 9 @ 7:00pm HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel 3 ways to order your tickets: $18 x ___ = $_____ ($25 at the door) To make the change, please call the Federation office Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am HN Alana Newhouse 12 events, you can gift your tickets to friends, colleagues and family members. Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm TS Lori Gottlieb Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm NJC Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel HN Opening Event w/ Elyssa Friedland $30 x ___ = $_____ ($40 at the door) @ 7:30pm TS Lori Gottlieb (People ofreceive the Jewish Book Event) x ___ $_____ ($25 the • You will an email reminder about a week prior to each event. Fordoor) the events with more than one author, due toAdamtravel arrangements, theJewish orderBook Festival are members Greater Naples nd support Book$18 Festival! rson at the- Federation to= fedstar18@gmail.com call thetickets: Federation at Island: 239.263.4205. Patron event with an author TBA 3atways to order your Marco Thu, the December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN Winterberry Chandler Stephen üoffice ü 7:00pm--NJC HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel Jewish Congregation ofFor Drive, Marco Island Mon, Mon,December January 139@@1:00pm Marra B. Gad & Angela Hims erschand $18 xthe ___ =2019-20 $_____ “ Mon,991 December 9 @more 7:00pm - HN&than Barry, Silverman Mansbach & Zweibel ator 239.263.4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Wed,travel February 26 @arrangements, 1:00pm - TS Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer events with one author, due to order Tue, January 28 @the 7:00pm - HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman •w/NoJosh refunds unless entire authors multi-author events) HNout form Dave Barry, Adam Mansbach, Alan Zweibel $45 x event ___this =(both $_____ ($55for the door) ($35 Check thereference: events you willbe be attending for easy reference: of the Jewish Book Council Network. e- fill in advance. inisevents which they present will decided a few prior their event. If you’d total $_______. Check the you will be attending for easy 7:30pm -of TS $18 Closing Event Frank $25 x ___ =at$_____ atExtra the door) Wed,1455 January 8Pine @ 1:00pm - TS days Melanie Benjamin Pam Jenoff Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN &to Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman Naples Conference Center: Ridge Road, Naples Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather & Jack Hersch luncheon event ticket for guest x ___ = $_____ “ Mail order form to: 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Thu, Tue,December January 2819@@ 7:00pm - HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth WeitzS • Open seating at all events. Platinum andwhich Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs ü in they present will be decided a few days prior to their event. If you’d e tickets indicated above for of $_______. 1 canceled anda nottotal rescheduled. Mailto order form to: - TS Wed,the February - TS be Lori Gottlieb for easy reference: Tue, November 5 this @ 7:00pm - HN Naples Elyssa Friedland Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm - NJC B. Gad Himsel Wed, January 8Marra @ 1:00pm - TS& Angela Melanie Pam Jenoff Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm Josh events Frank 5 @ 7:30pm Jewish Congregation: 6340 Napa Woods Way, Naples like know the order, email fedstar18@gmail.com orBenjamin call &239.263.4205. m by - Book HNphone: Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman Jewish $36 Federation x ___ = $_____ ($45 at the door) Check you will attending will have reserved seats.please ge ofetc.) Greater Naples Check the events you will be attending forcall easy reference: Wed, Wed,January February8 5@@1:00pm 7:30pm- TS - TS Lori Gottlieb Melanie Benjamin & Pam Je sh Festival! 3•ways to order your (weather, tickets: like to know the email fedstar18@gmail.com 239.263.4205. Consider purchasing a Patron Festival Package. Even ifillness, youFor can’t make to all more If an author cancels willit attempt to reschedule Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm -of NCCto Andrew GrossNaples & Steve Israel Tue, January 28Road, @ 7:00pm -January HN order, Sutakplease &-Elizabeth Weitzman Mon, 13Ken @ 1:00pm NJC Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel Jewish Federation Greater thewe events with than one author, due travel arrangements, the order or Wed, February 26 @ 1:00pm - TS Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer Temple Shalom: 4630 Pine Ridge Naples $18 x ___ = $_____ “ of Greater Naples) 63.4205 • Event payments are NOT tax deductible. HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman $36 x ___ = $_____ ($45 at the door) Mon, Wed,January February1326@@1:00pm 1:00pm- -NJC TS Marra Bob Mankoff Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm HN Elyssa Friedland B. Gad && Butnick/Opp Angela Him 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 payable Federation Greater Naples) good Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse 12$_______. events,to youJewish can gift your tickets to in friends, colleagues family members. the author lateof March or April. and Your original reservation willwill be you’d Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS 28Lori Gottlieb- HN Tue, January @ 7:00pm Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman No tickets sold in which they present be decided a few days prior to their event. If al of 1 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 this order form to: - HN Alana NewhouseforMail $40 x ___Consider = $_____ purchasing Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather & Jack Hersch t1:30am form prior to calling. November Mon, December 9•@Patron 7:00pm - HN Festival Barry, &or Zweibel theEvent) rescheduled event. If a 5111 venue, startMansbach time author needs beFebruary changed, all ticket buyers to Wed, 26 @ 1:00pm - TS make Mankoffwill & Butnick/Oppenheimer Hilton Naples: Tamiami Trail N., Naples Wed, February 5Bob @ 7:30pm - it TS Loriall Gottlieb after 25 a Package. Even if you can’t to Tue, Wed,January March 428@@1:00pm - JCMI Jack Sutak Fairweather & JackWeit Her Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Israel 7:00pm HN Ken & Elizabeth Naples, FL 34109 like to know the order, please email fedstar18@gmail.com or call 239.263.4205. m TS Lori Gottlieb (People of the Book $18 x ___ = $_____ ($25 at the door) Jewish Federation of Greater Naples er $18Please x ___ =Express $_____ er MC American Naples, FLCongregation indicate choice ofDiscover entree:  chicken“  salmon  vegetarian Wed, @ 7:30pm - TS Frank Thu, @be 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler &be Stephen Silverman •December Physical tickets will not issued. check •&check If you an event, you give yourattend ticket toJosh a friend. Jewish of Island: 991Simply Winterberry Marco Island notified viaMarco email. March 4Drive, @in 1:00pm -each JCMI Jack@Fairweather Hersch at Wed, February 26 1:00pm - TS & Jack Mankoff Butnick/Oppenheimer y:   Visa Vanderbilt American Express Greater Naples) authors app Wed, Wed, March - TS Josh Frank Wednesday, 2024 •8 1934109 10:30 AM • Wed, Physical tickets will event. not be issued.BobSimply incannot atDecember eachattend event. • March Ifcan you11 cannot an event, youFebruary can 11 give your ticket aAll friend. Mon, 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse 12 April events,3, you can gift your tickets to friends, colleagues and family members. 2500 Beach Rd., Ste.x ___ 2201 5@@7:30pm 7:30pm - TS toLori Gottlieb m - TS Closing Event Josh Frank $25 Pleasew/ indicate choice of dessert:  pastry  fruit= $_____ ($35 at the door) Check the events you will be attending for easy reference: Naples 1455 &Pine Ridge Road, Wed, JanuaryConference @ 1:00pm - TS Center: Melanie Benjamin Pam Jenoff Wed,- March 1:00pm - JCMI Jack FairweatherTo & Jack Hersch Wed,Naples March 11 @ 7:30pm TS 4 @Josh Frank make the change, please call theToFederation office please call the Federation office Naples, FL 34109 •January Youcheck willin receive an B.the email reminder about a week to each event. make the change, Visit official Festival website atprior www.jewishbookfestival.org forMon, more Greater Naples Jewish $18Express x with ___more = $_____ “Intravel  American December @authors 7:00pm -appearing HN Barry,at Mansbach & Zweibel Wed, February 1:00pm Mankoff & Butnick/Opp • You will receive an reminder prior to each event. person at• the Federation Naples Jewish Napa Way, Naples Tue, November26 5 @@7:00pm - HN- TS ElyssaBob Friedland Wed, 11 @ 7:30pm - TS Frank a week 2 Mon, 13 @ 1:00pm - NJCthe Marra Gad &6340 Angela•Himsel Physical tickets not be issued. Simply atCongregation: each event. If youWoods cannot attend an event, youMarch canemail give your ticket toJosh aabout friend. All9or the 2019-20 For the events than one author, due to arrangements, the will order In person at Federation at 239.263.4205 email rbialek@jewishnaples.org. at 239.263.4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org. information on the authors and their books, event events) updates and a printable order p. ____/____ CVV#_______ To make the change, please call the Federation office Andrew Temple Shalom: 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm - NCC Gross & Steve Jewish Israel& Jack He • No refunds unless entire event (both authors for multi-author is ________________________ Exp. ____/____ CVV#_______ Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather • You will receive an email reminder about a week prior to each event. of the B office. Please intickets advance. in which they present will2beIndecided fewFederation days priorfill to out theirform event. If you’d Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival are members • No refunds unless entire event (both authors for multi-author events) is person ata the office. Please fill out form. form inHave advance. No sold at 239.263.4205 or email questions that have not rbialek@jewishnaples.org. been answered in this insert?•Send anseating email at all events. Platinum Open and Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs Wed, February 5 @for 7:30pm - TS not Lorievents) Gottlieb Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse CVV#_______ •Council Open seating atJenoff all events. Platinum Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs m___/____ - HNlike-to Alana Newhouse $40 x ___ No refunds unless entire authors multi-author is canceled and rescheduled. know the order, please email fedstar18@gmail.com or•call 239.263.4205. 1:00pm NCC Andrew Gross & Steve $18 x ___ =November $_____ ($25 (both at the door) Jewish Network. office. PleaseIsrael fill out form in advance. Wed, January 8of @ the 1:00pm - TS Book Melanie Benjamin & Pam canceled and not rescheduled. Wed, Marchand 11 @Gold 7:30pm - TS Josh Frank by= $_____ Emily Franklin after 25 event fedstar18@gmail.com oratcall the Federation at 239.263.4205. • Open seating all events. Platinum and office Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs Wed, February 26 @ 1:00pm - TS to Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer Mon, December 9 @ 7:00pm HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel Please indicate choice of entree:  chicken  salmon Charge vegetarian by phone: will have reserved seats. canceled and not rescheduled. will have reserved seats. Charge by phone: Festival! Emily Bobbie Leslie Wasserman 3dessert: ways to order your tickets: Mon,attempt January 13to @ reschedule 1:00pm - NJCKatz Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel will have seats. phone: ________ Zip: __________ •“March Ifmore author (weather, illness, will attempt toBerkowitz reschedule 3Wed, __________________________________ Zip: __________ •etc.) If anwe author cancels (weather, For the (weather, events with one author, due toreserved travel arrangements, theillness, orderetc.) we will 4an @ 1:00pm -than JCMI cancels Jackreschedule Fairweather & Jack Hersch 1:00pm -Please TS __________ Melanie & Pamby $18 ___ = $_____ Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman A deeply evocative novel of the life of Isabella indicate choice ofBenjamin pastry Jenoff fruit 3 Charge Check the events you will be attending for easy reference: _____ Zip: • Ifx an author cancels illness, etc.) we will attempt to 239.263.4205 • Event payments taxyoudeductible. 239.263.4205 •Tue,attending Event payments are NOT taxattending deductible. Visit the official Festival website at forwill more 239.263.4205 • www.jewishbookfestival.org EventYour payments are NOTreservation taxappearing deductible. Check the events youFriedland will be forWiadro easy reference: the author in late March or April. Your original beNOT good the in late March April. original be2019-20 good reservation Tue, January 28will @are 7:00pm - HN Ken Sutak &for Elizabeth present Wed, 11 @author 7:30pm - TSbe Josh Frank • Physical tickets will not be1 issued. Simply check in at each event. •theIf author youin cannot attend anorevent, youMarch can give your ticket to a friend. in late Marchthey April. Your original reservation will be good or November 5 @easy 7:00pm - Weitzman HN Elyssa Check the events will be reference: Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm - TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff All authors at the Patti Boochever Ida Margolis Nancy which will decided a few days prior to their event. If you’d _____. Mail this order form to: information on the authors and their books, event updates and a printable order 00pm• -You NJCwill receive Marra B. Gad & Angela Himsel $18 x ___ = $_____ “ Please fill out form prior to calling. Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created time fill out form make the change, pleasePlease call the Federation officeprior to calling. forTothe event. • If a venue, start time author needs be changed, ticket buyers Please fillevent. out form prior torescheduled calling. needs 11 - NCC Andrew & Steve Israel forNaples theorrescheduled event. •Mon,Gottlieb If-November venue, start orticket author needs to13be@ 1:00pm changed, will for thequestions rescheduled event. • Ifwill a venue, start5time author be@ 1:00pm changed, allGross buyers will 7:30pm Tue, or November HNa to Elyssa Friedland an email reminder about a week prior to each Mon, January - NJC all Marraticket B. Gad &buyers Angela Himsel Wed, February @ - TS 5 @ 7:00pm Lori Greater Jewish Booktoan Festival areallmembers ____________________ __________ Email: _________________________________ like to know the order, email fedstar18@gmail.com or call 239.263.4205. form. Haveplease that have not been answered in this insert? Send email _______________________ be notified via email. at 239.263.4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Mon,be December 2 @ 11:30am Alana Newhouse Steve Yussen Dorio Jeff1:00pm Margolis Consider purchasing a Patron Festival Package. Even if you can’t make it to allvia email. m@- NCC Gross & Steve Israel $18 x ___ =an $_____ ($25=at$_____ the door) notified via-&HNSteve email. November 11 @ 1:00pm - NCC Andrew Gross Israel Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm - HN Ken Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman • No Andrew refunds event authors for multi-author events) is $18 be notified of the JewishGayle Book Council Network. 1:00pm - TS unless Bobentire Mankoff &(both Butnick/Oppenheimer x Open ___ inimitable legacy in American art Wed, February 26 @ Mon, - TS Bob Mankoff to “fedstar18@gmail.com orand call the Federation office at 239.263.4205. Naples) Mon, December& 9 @Butnick/Oppenheimer 7:00pm - HN Barry, Mansbach & Zweibel • seating at all events. Platinum and Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs canceled and not rescheduled. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach $18 Rd.,xSte. 2201 Mon, December 2 @ 11:30am - HN Alana Newhouse 12 events, you can gift your tickets to friends, colleagues and family members. Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS Lori Gottlieb m - TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff ___ = $_____ “

2019-20 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival! VenuesEvents Multi-Author Multi-Author Events Schedule of Events:

Tickets ARE Transferable

1 Tickets ARE Transferable

Schedule Events: Thankofyou forThank your suppor you for

Multi-Author Events

2019-20 Greater Naples JewishNaB Tickets AREVenues Transferable Thank you for your support of 2019-20 Greater the

Jewish Book Festival Committee Members and Readers:

2019-20 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival! Festival Website & Email Multi-Author 2 Events The Lioness of Boston Thank you for your support of the

Multi-Author Events

2019-20 Greater Naples & Jewish Book Festival! Festival Website Email

3

Tickets ARE Transferable

Schedule of Events:

Thank you for your support of the 2019-20 Naples Jewish Book Festiva ScheduleGreater of Events:

Thu,Fairweather December 19 @ 7:00pm Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman will have reserved seats. the “city of Boston itself. Judith Finer-Freedman Chairperson Wed, March 4 @Robin 1:00pm - JCMIMintz, Jack & Jack- HNHersch transformed :00pm Jack Fairweather & etc.) Jack Hersch = $_____ Mon, @ 7:00pm - HN Barry,reference: Mansbach & Zweibel Wed, February 26 @ 1:00pm - TS Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer • If- JCMI an author cancels (weather, illness, we will attempt to reschedule$18 x ___ Check thereference: events youDecember will be9attending for easy Naples, FL 34109 Check the events you will be attending for easy Wed, January 8 @ 1:00pm - TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff ican Express • Event•payments NOT tax deductible. Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm - TS 19to Josh Frank authorB. inGad late March or April. Your original reservation be good Physical will not be issued. Simply check in atTransferable each event. • If you cannot attend an event, you can give your ticket a friend. NJC the Marra & Angela Himsel $18will x ___ = $_____ “ aretickets Tickets ARE Thu, December @ 7:00pm HN Adam Chandler & Stephen Silverman Himsel Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather Jack Hersch All authors appearing at the &2019-20 Tue, November 5 @ 7:00pm - HN Elyssa Friedland Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm - NJC Marra B. Gad & Angela Spencer Forman Susan Pittelman READERS: "The Lioness oftoBoston" is a portrait for the rescheduled event. • If a venue, start time or authorConsider needs be changed, all ticket buyers will Wed,Israel January 8 @ 1:00pm Benjamin &Ken Pam Jenoff To make please call -the Federation office Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm - TS Josh Frank purchasingabout a Patron Festival Package. if you can’t make it to allthe change, Mon, November 11 @ 1:00pm NCC Andrew Gross & Steve Tue,- TS January 28Melanie @ 7:00pm - HN Sutak & Elizabeth Weitzman • You“viawill receive an email reminder a week prior to eachEven event. 2 In person pm -and TS Bob Mankoffthe & Butnick/Oppenheimer x ___ = $_____be notified Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival are memb email. at Book the$18 Federation nd support 2019-20 Jewish Festival! 3 ways to ordersociety your tickets: Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm NJC Marra B. Gad Mon, @ 11:30am HN Alana Newhouse 12 events, you can gift tickets friends, colleagues and family members. Wed,-February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS& Angela Lori Himsel Gottlieb at 239.263.4205 or December email2 rbialek@jewishnaples.org. Louise Dina Shein Larry DuKatz Foryour the eventstowith more than one author, due to Forman travel arrangements, the -order of what expected a woman’s _- CVV#_______ No“refunds unless entire event (both authors for multi-author events) is a few days prior to Mon, Fairweatherabove &office. Jack Hersch $18inx advance. ___ = $_____ • 1 of the Jewish Book Council Network. Please fill outofform December 9 @ 7:00pm - HN Barry, Mansbach Zweibel Wed,- HN FebruaryKen 26 @Sutak 1:00pm& -Elizabeth TS BobWeitzman Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer &Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm in which they present will be decided their event. If you’d e JCMI ticketsJack indicated for a total $_______. Mail this order to: • Open seating at all events. Platinum and Iris Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs life to be, shattered bylikea tocourageous Thu, December 19 @ 7:00pm - HN Adam Chandler Stephen Silverman Wed,- March 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather & Jack Hersch canceled and notform rescheduled. Jan Goldman Shur Linda DuKatz & Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm TS 4 @Lori Gottlieb know the order, please email fedstar18@gmail.com or call 239.263.4205. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Multi-Author Events will have reserved phone: Naples) Wed,seats. January 8 @ 1:00pm - TS Melanie Benjamin & Pam Jenoff Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm - TS Josh Frank Wed, February 26 @ 1:00pm - TS Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer (payable to Federation ofby Greater 3 Charge ip: __________ • If an author cancels (weather, illness, etc.) we will attempt to reschedule d support theJewish 2019-20 Jewish Book Festival! soul rebelled was determined 3 ways to order2500 yourVanderbilt tickets:who BeachFor Rd.,the Ste.events 2201 and Mon, January 13 @ 1:00pm - NJC Marra B. GadMarc & Angela HimselSimon Carole Greene Linda Denning with more than one author, due to travel arrangements, the order Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather & Jack Hersch 239.263.4205 • Event payments are NOT tax deductible. the author orthey April. Yourwill original reservation will be good Naples, FL 34109in lateinMarch Tue, January 28 @ 7:00pm - HN Ken Sutak & Elizabethfor Weitzmanyour support of the whichown present be tickets decided fewbedays prior to check their in event. If event. you’d ets above a total of $_______. Thank you 1 Mail this order y: indicated  MC  Visafor  Discover  American Express form to:live on her Wed, March 11 @ 7:30pm - TS Josh Frank • Physical willanot issued. Simply at each • If you cannot attend an event, you can give your ticket to a friend. to terms. All authors appearing at the 2019-20 Please fill out form prior to calling. Wed, February 5 @ 7:30pm - TS Lori Gottlieb Sherry Greenfield Linda Simon Carolyn Kimmel for theNaples rescheduled • If a venue, start time or author needs to be changed, all ticket buyers will likeevent. to know the order, please email fedstar18@gmail.com or call 239.263.4205. Jewish Federation of Greater To make the change, please call the Federation office _____________ • You will receive an email reminder about a week prior to each event. Wed,2019-20 2 person February 26 @ 1:00pm - TSGreater Bob Mankoff & Butnick/Oppenheimer Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival are members ble to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples) Naples Jewish Book Festival! be notified via email. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd.,InSte. 2201 at the Federation at 239.263.4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org. _________________________ Exp. ____/____ CVV#_______ & Jack Hersch Soffer Lenore Elaine Howard Margolis • No refunds unless entire event (both authors for multi-authorGreenstein events) is Wed, March 4 @ 1:00pm - JCMI Jack Fairweather of the Jewish Book Council Network. MC  Visa  Discover  American Express Naples, FL 34109 office. Please fill out form in advance.

Multi-Author Events

Thank you for your support of the 2019-20 Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival!

• Physical tickets will not becanceled issued. Simply checkrescheduled. in at each event. and not

Open seating and appearing Sponsors/VIPs Wed, 11 @ 7:30pm - TS at all Frank Platinum and Gold Patrons, • If you cannot attend an event, you•March can give your ticket toJosh aevents. friend. All authors at the 2019-20

will have reserved Charge by phone: To make the change, please call the Federation office seats. Phyllis Strome Carol Marci Margolis • You will receive an email• reminder aboutcancels a week (weather, prior to eachillness, event. etc.) we will 2 In person at the Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival are members 3Federation : __________________________________ Zip: __________ If an author attemptHirsch to reschedule at 239.263.4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org.

____________________ Exp. ____/____ CVV#_______ office. Please fill out form in239.263.4205 • No refunds unless entire event (both authors multi-author is the author in latefor March or April.events) Your original reservation will be good advance. Please fill out form prior tocanceled calling.and not rescheduled. for the rescheduled event.

___________ Email: _________________________________ ______________________________ Zip: __________ 3 Charge by phone:

______ Email: _________________________________

239.263.4205 Please fill out form prior to calling.

• If an author cancels (weather, illness, etc.) we will attempt to reschedule the author in late March or April. Your original reservation will be good for the rescheduled event.

• Event payments are NOT tax deductible.

of the Jewish Book Council Network.

• Open seating at all events. Platinum and Gold Patrons, and Sponsors/VIPs • If a venue, start time or author needs to be changed, all ticket buyers will will have reserved seats. be notified via email. • Event payments are NOT tax deductible. • If a venue, start time or author needs to be changed, all ticket buyers will be notified via email.

BRONZE Sandy Diamond Sandra Dorfman Gayle Dorio Benjamin Dubin Linda DuKatz Lawrence Dukatz Janett Edelberg Sally Ann Endleman Phyllis Fine Marcia Fine Anne Russell Foster Sheila Frank Lisa Freund Philip Garon Phyllis Garon Priscilla Gerber Molly Getnick Heidi Gilbert Howard Gilbert

Hannah Goodman Rochelle Goodman Ellen Gordon Arlene Griff Elaine Griver Marti Gross Sarah Hendler John Hendricksen Robin Hendricksen Deborah Hermalyn Burton Hirsch Linda Hirsch Jan Hoffman Mitchell Hoffman Judy Kargher Charlene Kerner Carolyn Kimmel Linda King Susan Koeppel

Toby Kosloff Barbara Kressman Allen Kressman Lois Kugelman Barbara Kushnir Bernie Lashinsky Lisa Lauber Judi Lazan Barb Lefkowitz Bettye Leibowitz Arlene Levin Bonnie Levin Hilda Levine Michelle Levine-Troupp Harriet Lickhalter Debbie Lurie Phyllis Luts Ida Margolis Sherri Melamut

Sheila Mesulam Rochelle Miller Lynn Miller Marsha Moranz Darlene Muller Mindy Nadell Dorey Neiss Ian Noy Carol Orloff David Orloff Barbara Ostrolenk Linda Penniman Joel Pittelman Terri Polacheck Susan Rabin Nancy Rabin Estelle Rauch Sue Reiver Deedee Remenick

Ellen Rodwick Lila Rosenweig Laurie Sandler Sandra Sanfilippo Maureen Schaab Shepard Scheinberg Deborah Schreier Stephen Schreier Avra Schwab Diane Schwartz Dorothy Schwebel Harriet Schweitzer Millie Sernovitz Iris Shur Charles Siegel Lori Siegel Cathy Silver Linda Simon Ruth Simon

Rosalie Slansky Carol Smoler Elaine Soffer Shellie Specter Dan Spintman Judith Spintman Leslie Springman Marilyn Storch Barbara Suden Denise Sultan Ann Swartz Michael Swartz Shira Swartz Marla Taub Jacqueline A Urso Joan Van Berg Ann Varsano Joan Vazakas

Lisa Vogel Gail Volk Sara Waldstein Leslie Wasserman Sydelle Weinberger Suellen Weiner Ellen Weisberg Goldie Wetcher Jack Wiadro Nancy Wiadro Susan Yale Steven Yussen Suzann Yussen Cathy Zacks Joni Zalasky


26

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

December 2023

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-431-3858

Naples Jewish Congregation events open to the community By Chuck Naumoff, Publicity Chair

J

oin us for the following events this month:

Adult education

Join us Friday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m., when Rabbi Howard Herman will speak about “Sinning For God; When Do The Ends Justify The Means?” A light dinner ($10) and services to follow. As a congregation, NJC is committed to promoting education and reflective discussion of the compelling issues that we all face as Americans and Jews. Rabbi Herman is a poignant, insightful and entertaining educator, who generously shares his knowledge and brings about a vibrant and respectful exchange of ideas and beliefs. We will meet to discuss how we build a better world when we know our actions may have unintended or unavoidable economic, political or ecological consequences. What is justifiable in the pursuit of justice? Can we stray from the moral path in the purist of perceived betterment for humanity?

Tributes To:

Join us for dinner ($10 at the door) after the class and before services. We can continue the discussion or just share the social moment, then attend the Friday night Shabbat service that follows. Make your dinner reservations at dlechtner@ gmail.com or call Dick Lechtner at 814-882-4578.

Shabbat services

Everyone is welcome to attend our services, which will be held on Friday night, Dec. 1, 15 and 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday morning, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. Join Rabbi Herman, Cantorial Soloist Jane Galler and Music Director Alla Gorelick for song and inspiration in our home at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 6340 Napa Woods Way, Naples. Worship together with the members of the “The Small Congregation with a Big Heart.” Services continue Friday nights and Saturday mornings through May. See our website at naplesjewishcongregation.org for specific dates and times. While there, you can see the various planned activities.

Richard Altman In honor of your special birthday

To:

Linda Hyde In honor of your special birthday

From: Norman Altman

From: Judy & Sidney Swartz

To:

To:

Pearl Fishman-Thall In memory of Richard Lee Fishman

From: Paulette and Edward Margulies Jane Schiff Marianne Wassmer To:

Burton Hirsch In honor of your special birthday

Dr. Gene Katz In honor of your special birthday

From: Rabbi Franklin and Darlene Muller To:

Joel Pittelman In honor of your birthday

From: Joyce Rubensohn

From: Rabbi Franklin and Darlene Muller Linda and Marc Simon

To:

Marla Osgood In honor of your special birthday

From: Marci & Howard Margolis To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Janine Hudak at the Federation office at 239-263-4205 or jhudak@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note will be sent to the person/family you are honoring. Tributes help further the work of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Collier/Lee Hadassah Inspiring Women 2024 Honorees

G a yl e Do rio Professional Designer Community Leader

E l l a ine Ro sen Educator Extraordinaire Community Leader

Sunny Lubner Philanthropist Community Leader

Hadassah is proud to recognize and honor women whose leadership skills, dedication, experience, generosity, and time make a difference in their organizations, businesses, our communities and the quality of our lives.

Join us to celebrate their accomplishments!

Support Hadassah’s world-renowned medical research and expertise through the Hadassah Medical Organization

Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 11:00AM Audubon Country Club 625 Audubon Boulevard Naples, Florida

For information contact: collierleehadassah@gmail.com


December 2023

Federation Star

Your guests will appreciate your choice of venues.

Hilton Naples & Shula’s Steak House Excellent Food and Impeccable Service

Hilton Naples and Shula’s Steak House have been serving our community for more than twenty years. We would love to discuss your event and show you our beautiful and diverse banquet and meeting space. Please call us at 239.659.3108.

5111 Tamiami Trail North I Naples, FL 34103 I 239.430.4900 I HiltonNaples.com I ShulasNaples.com

27


28

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

December 2023

TEMPLE SHALOM

www.naplestemple.org / 239-455-3030

Temple Shalom events open to the community By Jeanette Fischer, Temple Shalom Director of Communications

J

Art History Through a Jewish Lens: From Bezalel the Israelite to Agam the Israeli

Sunday, February 25

10:00am VIP Brunch 11:00am Concert

Honoring Tussy & Neil Shnider Thanking One Family Committee Chairs Performance by Jewish rock band,

Dan Nichols & Eighteen

Concert, Food, 50/50 Raffle Chaired by Bobbie &

oin us for the following events this month:

ene at,

Kushner Book Talk Series

Sunday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi Frank Muller discusses Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book “Who Needs God.” Registration required. Visit tinyurl. com/TS-KushnerSeries.

Wednesday, Dec. 6 & 13 at 10 a.m. Ellaine Rosen takes us on a journey through 3,300 years of Jewish art, from the interior of the Tabernacle in the desert to the Agam room in the Pompidou Museum in Paris. Registration is required. Visit tinyurl.com/TS-ArtHistory.

Beach Shabbat¬

Foodie Films – Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal

Torah Study

Thursday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Join Cantor Donna Azu for an hour-long documentary following Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman of “YidLife Crisis” fame as they discover the roots of Montreal’s Jewish community through a series of classic Jewish eateries. Registration required. Visit tinyurl.com/TS-Chewdaism.

Friday, Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. A beautiful sunset Shabbat service on the beach. We meet at the north end of Lowdermilk Park beach. Bring a beach chair. There will be no service at Temple Shalom on Dec. 29. Join our virtual Torah Study every Saturday morning, 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. Delve into the rich wisdom of the weekly Torah portion with thoughtful discussions and meaningful reflections. Led by a member of our clergy or a lay leader, this interactive session welcomes all to explore and connect with Jewish teachings. Email info@naplestemple.org for the Zoom link.

Can ‘Jewish Peoplehood’ Save the Jewish People?

GAME DAY FUNRAISER

Wednesday, January 10 10:00am - 3:00pm $36 per player RSVP by December 29, 2023

Everyone is invited to attend this Israel and Overseas Committee presentation:

Monday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.

Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center With presenter Scott Lasensky SCOTT LASENSKY

In an age of polarization, disruption and fractures erupting across the Jewish world, can the idea and practice of Jewish Peoplehood, a uniquely Jewish American ideology, meet the challenges World Jewry faces today?

tinyurl.com/TSS-GameDay Mah Jongg

Canasta

Rummikub

Continental Breakfast and Chinese Buffet Lunch included. Raffles

Silent Auction

Door Prizes

Money Cake

We will be collecting educational games for preschool aged children. Questions? Contact Joan Friedman, dffriedman@att.net

Former diplomat, writer and University of Maryland educator Scott Lasensky will share the latest developments and debates about a big idea seeking to reshape Jewish belonging, crosscommunal relations and Israel-Diaspora ties. Lasensky is the Senior Advisor to ENTER: the Jewish Peoplehood Alliance, an initiative co-founded by philanthropist Charles Bronfman, which is devoted to ensuring the Jewish people remain a global community that is united, secure and inclusive (www.EnterPeoplehood.org).

You must register for this FREE event at www.jewishnaples.org

OF GREATER NAPLES


Federation Star

December 2023

29

Palmetto Bugs Are Not A Welcome Visitor During The Holidays! by Anna Wallace, Truly Nolen

With Fall about to turn into Winter, one pest that no one is ever happy to see, be it a snowbird or resident of Southwest Florida, is the dreaded cockroach. Florida Wood Cockroaches, also known more commonly as Palmetto Bugs, are native to the southeastern United States and can typically be found in warm, humid areas such as coastal Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and throughout most of Florida. They measure approximately 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches long and up to 1-inch wide, and their colors range from reddish brown to black. At first glance, this species appears to be wingless; however, the Florida wood cockroach does have very short wings just beneath its head. The wings form short leathery pads which barely meet on the midline of the body and do not extend to cover any portion of the abdomen. Adult roaches can live for more than one year. Compared to other roaches, the Florida wood cockroach is relatively slow moving and not quick to run away from disturbance. This could be due to its large size or lack of urgency it feels due to the presence of defensive chemicals. When disturbed, Florida wood cockroaches often emit a strong, displeasing odor, which leads to its name as the "stinking cockroach." One of the reasons that people dislike palmetto bugs and other cockroaches so much is that they are known to spread disease. If they get into food, they can contaminate it and make the people who

eat it sick. The chemical spray that this species emits can also get on dishes and kitchen utensils, as can roach feces, which contain pheromones that attract more roaches. Some people are also allergic to Florida wood cockroaches. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can include a rash, asthma, itchy eyes, and a sore throat. The Florida wood cockroach feeds primarily on dead or dying plant matter and can typically be found outdoors in stable sheltered areas such as cavities in trees or stumps, leaf litters, or woodpiles. It prefers damp locations, lots of moisture, and does well in warm climates. Around the house, this species prefers the areas around the base of coconut and palm trees and other shaded areas. The Florida wood cockroach also shows no preferences for consuming urban waste or debris. As a result, the species tends to prefer to remain in wooded areas and are usually found in areas around the home only when they are looking for protection from sunlight or foraging for food. Because of these feeding habits, the Florida wood cockroach does not generally benefit from invading urban dwellings and this species has not been shown to commonly colonize inside structures. Its presence in the home is typically a result of being transported indoors on another item, such as firewood. As its name suggests, it is found mostly outdoors in wooded areas and is not considered a major pest in the home.

However, although they are generally found outdoors, the Florida wood cockroach can become indoor problems when they enter human habitats through open windows and doors in search of warmth or are brought inside on firewood. Inside homes, these insects can be found in bathrooms or basements and are particularly attracted to leaking pipes. While an infestation of this cockroach species is unlikely, it is best to take steps to prevent their entry to your home. Often, removal of these outdoor cockroaches from the house is all that is needed for control. Some other ways to prevent a larger outbreak before you may need a pest control professional include eliminating water (do not let water stand in sinks and eliminate outside collection areas), eliminating food sources (dispose garbage properly and wipe off counter tops often), and eliminate harborages (discard unnecessary cardboard boxes and pull mulch away from your home). (Anna Wallace is the Manager for Truly Nolen in Naples. Her service office can be reached at (239) 643-2555. Founded in 1938, Tucson-based Truly Nolen of America (www.trulynolen.com) is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States. To learn more about the roach services we provide, please visit https://trulynolen.com/pest-control/roaches/.)

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30

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

December 2023

BETH TIKVAH Visiting Scholar & www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818 Eat-N’-Learn Shabbat Exciting programs are Friday, January 5th coming to Beth Tikvah! Dr. Leo Gordon, MD By Lee Henson, Program Director

“The Clandestine Medical School of the Warsaw Ghetto” Dr. Gordon synthesizes the work of Professor Charles Roland and other Holocaust scholars documenting the story of a functioning medical school within the Warsaw Ghetto. 6:15 p.m. - Kabbalat Shabbat Service 7:00 p.m. - Catered Shabbat Dinner 8:00 p.m. - Lecture

Cost per person $36 R.S.V.P. by calling the Synagogue Office 239-424-1818 1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109 AN EGALITARIAN PROGRESSIVE CONGREGATION MEMBER OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM

W

e are approaching fall and full season both in Greater Naples and at Beth Tikvah. You will definitely want to join us for our many events. We began with a special Shabbat honoring and remembering all those who served our country. We then met at the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church on Sunday for the Catholic/Jewish Dialogue of Collier County recognition of Kristallnacht. Our Rosh Chodesh Women’s group started with its Nov. 12 Zoom-only meeting with Odette Masliyah leading us in the topic “Light and Darkness.” It was an enlightening discussion in these troubled times. Jeff Margolis will be the first speaker in our Speakers’ Series on Dec. 5 at 7:30

p.m. with the topic, Iconic Amusement Parks of America. He will be followed by Dr. Stuart Mest on Dec. 19 and Shelley Goodman on Jan. 18. Our very special evening will be on Jan. 5 when Dr. Leo Gordon joins us to discuss the “Clandestine Medical School of the Warsaw Ghetto.” We will have Shabbat services at 6:15 p.m. followed by a delicious catered dinner prepared by Prestige Catering. The lecture will begin at 8 p.m. The fee for this is only $36. Rabbi Chorny is continuing his classes on “Six Who Changed the World” Wednesday, Jan. 17, 24 and 31 at 12:15 p.m. in our shul. For further details on all these events (and more), look on our website, www. BethTikvanNaples.org.

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JEWISH INTEREST

December 2023

Federation Star

31

When grandparents and grandkids are separated by divorce Aging Jewishly — What our traditions teach us about growing old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

"C

ammy, I’m home!” judging her. “After all, Mike Ken shouted to is your son, Robin said. “He’s his partner as telling you only his side of he tugged his bicycle into the story. Kaylee will sense the foyer of the condo they how you feel about me. So it’s shared. “I’m sorry I’m late but best if we try the after-school it’s such a beautiful day…” day care program until things Ken stopped in mid-sentence calm down.” when he noticed Cammy’s Sadly, the calming period red nose, teary eyes and that Robin mentioned and wadded up hanky. Clearly, that Cammy prayed for she’d been crying. Ken ran never came. Weeks turned Rabbi Barbara to her side. “My darling, into months and with the Aiello what is it? Tell me. Has someexception of Kaylee’s phone thing terrible happened? To Kaylee?” calls made from her Dad’s apartment, Cammy looked up and sniffed. Kaylee, Kaylee’s relationship with Grammy Cammy’s 8-year-old granddaughter had Cammy was defunct. just spent the entire afternoon with her Ken saw the changes in Cammy and grandmother, “Grammy Cammy," as sprang into action. Late nights at the Kaylee liked to say. Cammy shook her computer netted a wealth of informahead. “No, it’s not Kaylee. It’s Robin. tion on grandparents’ rights. And first on When she came to get Kaylee, she pulled Ken’s list was the sad fact that Cammy me aside and whispered, “We’re going was not alone. to take a break from these visits, at least Journalist Brian Joslyn reports in until the divorce is worked out.” the online publication, Sixty and Me Cammy was stunned. Her daughter(“Navigating Legal Issues surrounding in-law was divorcing Cammy’s son, grandparents Rights and Child Custody,” Mike. Certainly, things were a bit dicey Oct. 30, 2023) that “grandparents often but up to this point, the acrimony play a significant role in the upbringing between Robin and Mike hadn’t disturbed of grandchildren either by providing Kaylee’s daily after-school visits to her essential support or even assuming the “Grammy Cammy.” role of primary caregiver, confirming Later, Robin disclosed that she felt the staggering statistic that 2.7 million like Cammy was taking Mike’s side and grandparents dedicate long hours to the

upbringing of another generation — their and mediators understand that even own grandchildren. after a divorce, grandparents should When Ken shared these statistics with have the right to be a part of their grandCammy, she was astounded. “You mean children’s lives. millions of grandparents are caring for When we turn to Jewish tradition, their grandkids like I was for Kaylee. Rabbi Elliot Dorff (American Jewish Don’t we have any say? Don’t we have University, “The Importance of Grandany rights?” parents,” 2000) puts it well when he Thanks to Ken’s diligence, Cammy writes about the importance of grandparlearned more. In fact, Attorney Laura D. ents. Rabbi Dorff quotes the Psalmist who Heard directly addressed Cammy’s conwrites, "It is considered a great blessing to cerns in her recent article “What Rights see your grandchildren.” While the Taldo Grandparents Have after a Child’s mud tackles the role of grandparents with Parents Divorce?” (Feb. 24, 2022). First, specific direction in that not only do parthe bad news; Ms. Heard references a U.S. ents have the duty to teach Torah to their Supreme Court decichildren; grandparents do as sion, Troxel v. Granville well. (B. Kiddushin 30a). …even after a (2000), “that held that From the bench or grandparents have no divorce, grandparents from the bima, convenabsolute legal right to should have the right tional wisdom indicates visit a grandchild witha consistent relationto be a part of their that out a parent’s consent, ship with grandchildren, a even if the visits are in grandchildren’s lives. relationship like the one that a child’s best interests.” Grammy Cammy shared Ms. Heard emphasizes that although with Kaylee, is worth preserving. It’s a the law applies nationwide, individual bond that’s worth fighting for. states have some wiggle room to craft For 10 years, Rabbi Barbara Aiello served their own laws that offer grandparents the Aviva Campus for Senior Life as resident legal recourse. That’s because each state rabbi. Her most popular columns are now has its own requirements that often published in her new book, “Aging Jewishly,” include mediation processes that allow available on Amazon books. Rabbi Barbara families to reach a visitation agreement now lives and works in Italy, where she is without the added stress of court room rabbi of Italy’s first Reconstructionist synagogue. drama. Suffice it to say that most judges Contact her at rabbi@rabbibarbara.com.

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32

Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

December 2023

Sufganiyot pull-apart cake By Chef Dalia

T

he eight days of Hanukkah are marked by song, prayer and, of course, food — especially of the fried variety. This year, Hanukkah has so much meaning. It’s so meaningful to know during this difficult time in Israel that miracles do happen. For me, the food is a vehicle to get the message out and the Israeli jelly doughnuts — sufganiyot (pronounced Soof-GAH-NEE-yote) — are one of the official, and tastiest, emblems of Hanukkah. The Jewish holiday starts this year at sunset on Dec. 7, but it’s been sufganiyot season in my house for the past several weeks. The humble sufganiyot takes center stage in my life during Hanukkah. Not to live up to my reputation of being dramatic, but I have to say it: these past weeks have been hell and especially challenging with Hanukkah consuming every place and moment around me with what has been going on in Israel. I know it sounds pathetic, but tackling Hanukkah and making it special in these difficult times seems nearly impossible. I am worried about my family and friends. Life in Israel has been pretty bad. I can’t imagine my life going nearly as smoothly. Although I never said it or even alluded to it, this killed me inside. Knowing a lot of family are not going to be together, making latkes, eating sufganiyot, lighting the candles, exchanging gifts — it was heartbreaking. Not only that but that I was here, celebrating Hanukkah. After several days of sulking and binge eating sufganiyot, it dawned on me: I was

being too dramatic! We need to be strong and continue to celebrate more than ever. I realized that my husband and kids, good friends and American Israeli community probably shared the same sentiment. And the fact that throughout my home there were sufganiyot on every table, giant menorahs on every corner and Hanukkah gifts being exchanged showed that I would never stop celebrating Hanukkah, no matter what. As Israelis, our stories and traditions and emotional attachments to this holiday are shared. Our love for our families and memories of our childhoods are shared. And although Israelis are the most unique people in the world (not that I’m biased or anything), on this holiday, our identities are shared. This is what it means to be Israeli, and this is why I trust that my feelings of Hanukkah-induced loneliness are illusionary. Yes, I am not with my siblings and family in Israel to light the candles this year. But I am amongst a community just as close. And this year, once again, I wanted nothing more than to relive those childhood memories in Israel and sufganiyot brings back the best memories. Israeli jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) were a hot commodity during my childhood visits to my grandparents in Jaffa, Israel because of the taste, family connections and that signature smell that stays with you, literally and figuratively. Every year during the holiday, my grandmother would smell of oil after

the long hours she worked to meet the demand for her doughnuts. My grandmother would count how many sufganiyot we each had, to make sure nobody was getting more than anyone else. I remember it being a very happy time, I love the holiday. Though my mother recently passed away, I kept her memory alive through the recipes that my grandmother left to her, all of which my mother saved. I regularly feature bakery homecooked versions of them when I make the sufganiyot each year for Hanukkah. For me, making jelly doughnuts and latkes is just as important as lighting candles and spinning the dreidel. In the years since my grandmother and my mom passed, the doughnuts have taken on an even deeper meaning. My grandmother’s sufganiyot are like no one else’s.

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Sufganiyot pull-apart cake Ingredients • 6 cups bread flour • ¼ cup white sugar • ½ tsp. salt • ½ cup margarine or butter • 2 Tbsp. dry yeast • 1½ cups warm water • 2 eggs • ¼ cups four-berry jam or your favorite flavor • ¼ cup oil • ½ cup powdered sugar for dusting Instructions 1. Using a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, mix the flour, sugar, salt and margarine (or butter). Set aside. 2. Mix the dry yeast with the warm water and let stand for 5-10 minutes until foaming. Add the eggs to the foaming yeast water then add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth — about 10 minutes with the mixer at a medium setting. 3. Cover the bowl and place somewhere warm for two hours or until the dough has risen in size.

Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can be reached at daliahemed@msn.com. I still have the taste in my mouth, if only I could eat them again. I’ve tried to improve on the classic over the years: I’ve tried to modernize them. Well… nothing compares to the fried — but having fried doughnuts for dessert after having fried latkes for dinner might be overkill. The alternative is baked jelly doughnuts. This Chanukah delight just got a little lighter. If you don't feel the need to cut out individual donuts and fry them, bake it — and call it a cake! This sufganiyot cake recipe takes sufganiyot one step further. This cake doesn't have the traditional element of oil for Hanukkah, but the idea is still there! Basically, this is sufganiyot dough injected with jelly baked in a cake pan. This sufganiyot pullapart cake recipe guarantees you eight days of sweet celebration.

4. Knock back the dough and tip out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 16 pieces. Flatten a piece between your hands, then place about half a teaspoon of jam onto it and gather the edges of the dough around the jam. Pinch and squeeze the edges to seal in the jam and then roll between your hands to form a ball. 5. Set aside and repeat with the remaining pieces of dough until you have 16 jam-filled balls. 6. Place the vegetable oil in a shallow bowl. 7. Roll each ball of dough in the oil, allowing the excess to drip off, and then arrange the balls in an 8-inch round baking tin. 8. Allow the dough to rise again, for around 45 minutes or until the balls are doubled in size and there are no gaps between them. 9. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the sufganiyot for around 25 minutes until it is golden brown. 10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin. 11. Dust with powdered sugar, pull apart, eat and enjoy!


JEWISH INTEREST

December 2023

Federation Star

33

Heroic Coward By Paul R. Bartrop, Professor Emeritus of History, Florida Gulf Coast University

E

ighty years ago this discovering that a fellow Britmonth, in December ish prisoner was confined in 1943, a prisoner was the Jewish labor section of the sent to Auschwitz. While camp, he smuggled himself there was perhaps nothing into the camp, attempting surprising in that fact, there to meet with this man and was something quite special witness the conditions under about this prisoner. which he was imprisoned. Charles Joseph (“Charlie”) He could not locate the BritCoward was a British prisoner ish POW but witnessed the of war who became known gas chambers, malnutrition, as the “Count of Auschwitz” cramped living quarters and Paul Bartrop after he helped save the lives SS treatment of the prisoners, of at least 400 Jews working on slave and saw it as his humanitarian obligation labor details. His story from 80 years ago from then on to resist the brutality conis unquestionably worthy of recollection. fronting the Jews. Born in England in 1905, he enlisted in Due to his ability to speak German fluthe British army in June 1937 and rose to ently, Coward was named as the Red Cross become Quartermaster Battery Sergeant liaison officer for the British prisoners. Major. On May 25, 1940, as German Acting as their go-between with the guards, forces were sweeping all before them in he used the limited freedom this provided France, Coward was captured during the to engage in resistance activities. He and unsuccessful British defense of Calais. He other British prisoners smuggled food and made two escape attempts before reachassorted items to the Jewish inmates and, ing a prisoner-of-war camp. While at the through coded letters, he smuggled reports camp, he made numerous further escapes. to the British War Office regarding camp On one occasion, while a prisoner of war conditions and information he believed on the run, he even received the Iron had military value. The information these Cross while posing as a wounded German letters contained was later used as evidence soldier in an army field hospital. He was during the Nuremburg Trials. In addition, recaptured on each occasion. he witnessed the arrival of trainloads of In December 1943, he was sent to Jews for extermination. Auschwitz III (Monowitz). Here, he was Coward’s greatest achievement at Ausplaced in the E715 labor detachment chwitz was liberating hundreds of Jews. camp (administered by Stalag VIII-B), British prisoners of war received packwhere British POWs were detained. Upon ages containing Swiss chocolate from the

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International Red Cross, and Coward used these as a bargaining chip with the SS to obtain the corpses of dead non-Jewish prisoners. He had these placed in ditches along the paths Jewish slave laborers took to and from work. The Jews would slowly drop out of the group and hide in the ditches; Coward would swap their clothing and identities with the corpses and give the healthy Jews the documents and clothes he had taken from the corpses. They then adopted these as new identities and were smuggled out of the camp to freedom. It has been estimated that through this scheme, Charlie Coward saved up to 400 Jewish lives. In December 1944, he was sent back to the main camp of Stalag VIII-B. He was finally liberated in January 1945, in Bavaria. After his liberation, Coward remained active in his opposition to the Nazis. He acted as a witness during the I.G. Farben Trial at Nuremberg in 1948-1949 and attested to the sadistic treatment of Jews. In his court statement, he mentioned that during his imprisonment in the labor camp I.G. Farben, workers would openly admit they knew about the gassing and were fully aware what role they were playing in the war. In 1954, British author John Castle published a biography of Coward, “The Password is Courage,” which recorded his wartime activities. This book was then made into a movie of the same name in 1962, directed by Andrew L. Stone.

Portrayed by Dirk (later,Sir Dirk) Bogarde, Coward’s humanitarian efforts were recognized; however, as the film did not fully illustrate the terror of the Holocaust and the pain and suffering endured by the Jewish prisoners, it did not sufficiently acknowledge the fullness of Coward’s feats. Charles Coward’s exploits were a product of his unwavering devotion to human life rather than his duty as a soldier. In 1963, in recognition of his nonviolent resistance during the war, he was named as one of the Righteous among the Nations by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Then, after his death in 1976, the Department of the Righteous at Yad Vashem released a statement commemorating Coward’s righteous and brave actions as a humanitarian. He received appreciation and respect from his home country in 2010 when he was posthumously named a Hero of the Holocaust by the British government — a Holocaustrelated equivalent of a civic knighthood.

Author’s note

Pressure of work here in Australia has necessitated a reevaluation of my activities and I have decided that, after 13 years, I should retire from writing these monthly articles. I have been pleased to write for what I still consider to be "my" Jewish community so that I could add to the community's understanding of the universal nature of the Holocaust. My very best wishes going forward; I'll keep looking at the publication online, though no longer looking for my name and article!

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34

Federation Star

COMMENTARY

December 2023

Editor’s Note: Given the state of affairs in Israel and the number of submissions that came in that addressed it, we felt that a “Commentary” section would be appropriate in this issue, even though we do not always have such a section in the Federation Star.

Israel Oct. 7, 2023 By Rene Geist

A

note from Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis – Many members of GenShoah have a special understanding of tragedy and trauma that results because of hatred. The recent terrorist attacks in Israel were horrific and hit close to our hearts. We try to understand why such tragedy happens. We had hoped that “never again” would mean just that. How many times must these tragedies occur before all people can truly commit to peace? Many of our GenShoah SWFL members have family and friends in Israel. Members and snowbirds to this area, Rene and Sam Geist, were visiting their children and grandchildren in Israel when the terrorist action by Hamas began. When they returned safely to Canada, we asked Rene to write about that experience so we could share it with the larger community. Never in my life will I forget the screams of my granddaughter, Shoshi, on Oct. 7, 2023 waking me out of my sleep at 6:35 a.m. as she yelled for me to get into the Miklat (bomb shelter) in the basement of their house. We had 90 seconds to get inside, lock the door and wait for the allclear so we could get out. Our vacation in Israel with our son and his family in Ra’anana, a town just northwest of Tel Aviv, abruptly ended. With it came the onslaught of endless media discussion and dissemination of online news. I felt helpless. The statistics, now widely known, need no repetition. Each one represents a real person, someone’s baby, child or grandparent, mother or father, young soldier or elderly hostage. Israel is at war. Israel is a small country. Its citizens perform all jobs. One neighbor is a garbage collector. The next one is a bus driver, teacher, clerk or doctor. However, during an emergency, during a war everyone is a recruit in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). Everyone works together. Everyone collects clothes for the soldiers. Everyone distributes food. We are all one. As the demands on our four grandchildren, Mimi, Ilana, Shoshi and Yoni, changed and changed again, I clearly

Ra'anana in Israel

Shoshi and Ilana

recognized the difference between being at war in our homeland and being at war from a distance. Our son and daughterin-law have three daughters in uniform and a son who works in an MDA ambulance. (The Magen David Adom is Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service. The name means "Red Shield" or "Red Star of David.”) Ilana was required to have her uniform tailored sharply. Why? So she would represent the IDF with dignity at funerals. Shoshi, just two weeks into basic training, demonstrated pride in herself and her accomplishments far beyond her age and experience. Yoni not only served his shifts excellently, he created a fund to purchase a new MDA motorcycle, which is of high priority.

Yoni

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Mimi and a friend baked hundreds and hundreds of cookies to give to those who needed a little treat. They were appreciated for more than their sweet taste. The stories to be told continue on and on. A close family friend moved to Israel and joined the IDF a year ago. His responsibilities now include washing the bodies of those soldiers who have died in the war before their burial. How very difficult to undertake such a heart-wrenching duty. In the privacy of Aaron and Sara’s house, I was able to ask, “Is this what it takes to unite Jews? Why does antisemitism blossom and hate grow in the bosom of extremism?” As I watched Israelis on the street, my family in their home and the TV for the news, I thought about my own perspectives as a Jew, a mom, a Bubbie and the daughter of two Holocaust survivors. Those of you who are survivors know

exactly the images that caused me the most horror, the biggest tears, the most sleepless nights. For me, war is as devastating now as it was then. GenShoah SWFL is a group for children and descendants of Holocaust survivors as well as anyone interested in the mission of GenShoah of SWFL, which is: • Promotion of Holocaust education and human rights • Preservation of history and memories of the Holocaust • Connecting the Second Generation with one another • Support of the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center Our group is open to all interested people. There are no dues or attendance requirements. If you would like to receive our newsletter and program announcements, just send us an email at liebro@gmail.com.

Mimi - Mimi

Candle lighting times December 1: 5:16 p.m. December 8: 5:17 p.m. December 15: 5:19 p.m. December 22: 5:22 p.m. December 29: 5:26 p.m.


COMMENTARY

Federation Star

December 2023

35

Jumping into action to support Israel and one another By Deborah Fidel, Temple Shalom Executive Director

O

ur hearts ache as we watch the unfolding horror in Israel. We all struggle with feelings of sadness, fear and shock, and yet Temple Shalom’s One Family unwavering care and support for one another, evidenced by our swift action to support Israel and each other, is the essence of “Am Yisrael Chai.” From the havdallah service on Oct. 7, when 250 Temple members gathered at the drop of a dime to pray for peace, to a counseling session so generously provided by Dr. Arlene Kaplan, PhD and Leslie Wasserman, MA for our members who are feeling overwhelmed and powerless in the face of evil, we come together at times of joy and sorrow. We are gratified that we could extend our community to include and embrace all the local Israelis and their families with an informal dinner and gathering, hosted by our clergy, Rabbi Miller, Rabbi Boxman and Cantor Azu. This event had added poignancy because both Rabbi Boxman and Cantor Azu are married to Israeli men. Finally, we are amazed at the tremendous response to the urgent call for goods that Rabbi Boxman’s husband, Asher Saida, delivered to IDF soldiers and displaced families in Israel. The Temple Shalom One Family jumped into action to respond to the crisis overseas and its effects at home as we have done before, most recently for the people of Ukraine and after Hurricanes Ian and Irma. While our attention is focused on the hostages and ongoing rocket attacks on our brothers and sisters, I also want to assure you that we are extremely mindful of the safety and well-being of our community members, students, guests and staff while at Temple. I've spoken directly with security experts and both regional and national law

enforcement agencies. My peers in other synagogues around the country and I are in close contact, sharing pertinent and helpful information as it becomes available from a variety of experts and organizations. It is wonderful to be part of a national organization, such as the National Association of Temple Administrators (NATA), the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism) and the Florida subgroup Florida Association of Synagogue and Temple Administrators (FASTA) at a time like this. As those who visit Temple Shalom may have noticed, our armed security presence has grown substantially — to seven days a week in recent years. The cost is tremendous and growing, but it is a burden we must bear. The team includes private security, Collier County Sheriff’s deputies, Florida Highway Patrol officers and Naples City Police (for beach shabbat). Multiple law enforcement vehicles also drive around our campus throughout the day and one FHP even eats lunch in our parking lot regularly. We continue to test our systems, upgrade our security equipment, train our staff and respond to evolving and ongoing threat assessments to keep everyone safe while on our premises. We are grateful to our private security and local law enforcement officers for all they do for us! We pray for a speedy end to the violence and a lasting peace between Israel and all her neighbors. The experts predict the current crisis could drag on for months, however. The clergy, staff and members of Temple Shalom will continue to meet the moment, together. If you are not yet part of a congregation, we invite you to worship, study and celebrate being Jewish at Temple Shalom – now more than ever.

Jews unite against antisemitism By Allen Menkin

T

he savagery and raw Evil of the October 7 attack stunned and overwhelmed us. Its demonic hatred of Jews ripped open scars of the Shoah and brought faded images of half-forgotten pogroms to blazing life. In its aftermath, Israel, our “guarantee of never again,” is under greater threat than at any time since its founding, and we face a raging, worldwide pandemic of antisemitism. This is not the time to engage in the internecine quarrelling that has plagued us since antiquity. Jew haters don’t distinguish between Republican and Democrat Jews, observant Jews and assimilated Jews, Orthodox,

Conservative or Reform Jews. “Jewish values” are not the exclusive property of any movement or a favor to be bestowed on any political party. We all need to stop politicizing antisemitism and accusing our perceived ideological opponents of hosting it without confronting it in our own spaces. We will forever remember how we were yet again attacked by Amalek. But we also need to remember how we came together on that dark day and that we were not alone. Our Christian friends and neighbors, elected officials, pastors, police and just ordinary people stood with us then, and they stand with us now. That’s what friends do.

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MCA Speaker Series January 4, 2024 - Exploring Addiction: Why Is It So Misunderstood. Presented by MCA member Jeff Daiter.

Addiction is often mired in a host of predetermined biases that only serve to stigmatize those suffering. from this debilitating illness. Jeff will explore the origins of substance dependence with the intent to further everyone’s understanding of this relapsing medical disorder. A Political Scientist Looks at the 2024 Election. Presented by MCA member Terry Weiner.

With a Presidential election coming in November 2024, there are many concerns/challenges. Amongst them: legal challenges, age, security, fraud, popular vote, democracy, role of the VP. Terry will examine these issues and discuss their impact on the election To register, go to: mcanaples.org or scan the QR codes below.

←Addiction →

Election


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Federation Star

COMMENTARY

December 2023

My visit to Israel — heroes, sirens and broken hearts By Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

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ibi bamezrach, v’anochi besof maarav,” my heart is in the East but I am at the end of the West. These are the poetic words of Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, referencing Jerusalem from his place of residence in 10th-century Spain — and these words strongly represent how I, and many of us diaspora Jews, feel right now. Two weeks after the war broke out, I and some of my rabbinical colleagues felt a calling to bring the love and support of our communities here in Florida to our brothers and sisters in Israel. The Naples and Marco Island community rallied together with donations, supplies and handwritten cards. I arrived at the airport laden with 25 duffel bags of gifts, including iPads, G-shock watches and ceramic armored vests for the IDF. I felt as if I was bringing my whole community along, if not in person, then in spirit and encouragement. Upon arriving in Israel, our first visit was to a small-town hotel where the Israelis of Kibbutz Aza had been relocated to. Kfar Aza was a small Israeli farming community with beautiful green grass and tidy home gardens. Just under 800 people lived there, mostly families and young children. The residents tell me that in good times, Kfar Aza was a slice of heaven on earth. On Simchat Torah, Oct. 7, they woke up to hell. Seventy Hamas militants stormed the small community, starting from the side

where the youngest families lived, and continuing on a 48-hour murderous rampage. By the time we arrived, the community had held funerals and were sitting shiva for 52 friends and family, from babies and children to Holocaust survivors. They were praying for another 13 who were either kidnapped to Gaza or are still missing. My heart hurt. The people of Kfar Aza were sitting outside in many

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OF GREATER NAPLES

circles. In each circle, another family sat mourning their loved ones as friends struggled to pull them through. I sat with them. There were no words to say that would heal such a wound but at least I could sit shoulder-to-shoulder and bring the love of our community from miles away. Then we went to visit the headquarters of families of the kidnapped victims. I spoke with mothers whose children were taken by Hamas terrorists. It was soul crushing. Each family hugged photos of their loved ones and begged us to do everything we could to bring their children and parents home. I promised we would lobby our lawmakers and hang signs everywhere. I knew our community would. On Shabbat, we have a poster of kidnapped victims on every chair and our congregation prays for each and every one. We visited the city of Sderot, where dozens of residents were killed by terrorists and the locals still live under constant rocket fire, with less than 15 seconds to get to safety. Amongst the many other important causes we donated to, I brought donations from our community to the Chabad center, which is a massive bomb shelter and became the city War Room, with a warehouse of food to deliver to each home.

We met reserve soldiers who have everyday jobs like you and me, and left their wives and children at home to fight for their security. In Be’er Sheva, on our way to Soroka Hospital, we had to run off the bus and lay flat on the floor when a missile was exploded by the Iron Dome overhead. At the hospital, we met heroes of Israel, who continued battling to save as many lives as they could, even after being shot multiple times. I delivered gifts, read the personal cards our community sent along with them and heard the same words again and again everywhere we went. “Thank you for coming. Thank you for bringing your love and showing that we are one people.” After a heart-wrenching, nonstop four days, I returned to Florida but my heart remains in the East. I’m humbled that our community trusted me on this important mission to bring their love, donations and huge gifts to our family in Israel and I know that from here, we will continue to support them and do everything we can for the safe return of the 241 hostages. Our community donated huge amounts to soup kitchens, victims of war and security needs in Israel. To continue contributing, visit chabadnaples.com/Israel. We are one nation, under one God, and we will rise from this together.


COMMENTARY / ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

December 2023

Federation Star

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Oy! Geh Vahlt! By Sol Awend

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ver get the feeling we’re living in the year 1938? No matter what you see, where you go, what you read and with whom you talk, it’s all the same rant: Death to the Jews! It’s unnerving. The last month has been a nonstop barrage of unprecedented violence and murder flung upon our Jewish brethren in Israel. And if that wasn’t enough, the truth has been twisted and turned inside out. Bold-faced lies spouted by antisemitic politicians have been broadcast by the media with lightning speed. The “melting pot” that was once America has become a boiling cauldron of hate. Instead of militaristic swastika-waving hooligans of yesteryear running around loose, we have gigantic throngs of people waving flags and chanting outright death threats against us. Aside from not having a homeland, the only difference between now and 1938 is

the technology. What took days back then now appears in seconds; repeated over and over again. I remember my Mom telling me what she heard her parents murmuring in discussions at mealtime. Their Polish neighbors were taunting them in outright jeering and meanness. My grandfather even came home bloody once, having gotten caught in a pogrom. What to do and where to go was an elusive question. Even more elusive was the answer. There is a story told in a collection of Jewish passages written by modern-day Rabbi Yachiel Spero. He writes of a town in Germany called Marienbad. The Jews in town gathered to discuss the impending doom that was descending on them. Some felt more concentrated Torah study was necessary. More prayer said others, while still others stressed more observance of daily ritual and holidays.

Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman was the last to speak. He told of a fire that broke out in a Rebbe’s house. The flames spread and a crowd gathered outside and watched as the flames quickly spread. Suddenly, someone realized the Rebbe was nowhere to been seen and they feared he might be inside, sleeping. Everyone came up with ideas. Some said a ladder should be put up against the backside of the house. Another shouted that it would be faster to run through the front, while another proposed scaling the side of the house. Finally, a clear-headed fellow screamed at the crowd, “Why waste time running around?! Scream! Scream at the top of your lungs and wake him up! That way he can save himself!” The congregation heard the Rav’s message. Then came a loud reply. “Fellow Jews! The ground upon which we are standing is giving way! In the midst of the current madness, we are trying to find a solution to save a country that is

sleepwalking! We must scream at the top of our lungs Awake! Awake! No one will save us if we don’t listen to that cry!” It’s not so different today, and below are a few Yiddish phrases and words that highlight how precarious the situation is. (Kudos to Susan Suarez, the Holocaust Museum’s president, whose recent message for us to be aware and defiant in the face off the current situation was most relevant and inspiring.) 1. OY! Geh VAHLT! (Oh! Become aware!) OY! Geh VAHLT! Zay noh voos tet zec’h oop! (Oh! Become aware! Look at what’s going on!) 2. Kinda LEC’H, Ess MAC’HT zec’h AH mulC’HOOMEH! (Children, a war is starting to brew!) 3. YEED’n! VEK DEC’H OFF! (Fellow Jews! Wake up!) Yeed’n! Vek dec’h off! Siz shreklic’heh t’zaaten! (Fellow Jews! Wake up! It’s scary times!)

New York’s leading Imam meet with Jewish student leaders Ways to combat hatred and violence were discussed in light of dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents on campuses

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esthampton Beach, NY (Oct. 29, 2023) — Amidst the dramatic rise in antisemitic rhetoric and hate crimes against Jews perpetrated by students protesting against Israel on college campuses since the Gaza war began, Imam Shamsi Ali met with 30 Jewish student leaders from colleges in New York City in a special discussion titled, "New York Campuses Are On Fire – What Should We Do?" Imam Ali is a prominent Muslim activist and leader of the Jamaica Muslim Center, the largest mosque in New York with over 20,000 members. The 30 Jewish student leaders led by Ilya Bratman, executive director, Hillel at Baruch, represent students from Baruch College, City College of New York, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New School for Social Research, Pace University and the School of Visual Arts. The event was initiated and organized by Rabbi Marc Schneier, president

of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and a prominent voice in Jewish-Muslim interfaith dialogue, who serves as the senior rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue. Imam Ali is the president of the Nusantara Foundation. He and Rabbi Schneier co-authored “Sons of Abraham: A Candid Conversation about the Issues That Divide and Unite Jews and Muslims,” a book that is the definitive text on respectful Muslim-Jewish relations. "I am most concerned about the safety of Jewish students, and I am aware of the fear, anxiety, and antisemitism Jewish students are now facing on college compasses — witnessing signs like 'gas all the Jews' or 'kill all the Jews'" said Schneier at the meeting. "Violence and intimidation should not be tolerated. There is a line that you simply cannot cross. If you want to protest, protest. If you want to demonstrate, you can demonstrate, but there should be no violence — no confrontation. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable."

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Ilya Bratmani, Rabbi Marc Schneier and Imam Shamsi Al Photo credit: Rick Seigleman

"We as Muslims who live in America are also facing Islamophobia and your concerns are my concerns, too. Your fear is my fear. We are all in the same boat," said Imam Ali to the students. "I am here

tonight to mainly listen to your concerns because this week I will meet with Muslim student leaders from New York City campuses as well."

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Federation Star

December 2023

ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD / ORGANIZATIONS

Nearly 700 community members gather in support of emergency funding for IDF soldiers “Fauda” stars Yaakov Zada Daniel and Meirav Shirom attended event

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ewton, MA (Oct. 25, 2023) — On an October evening, close to 700 Friends of the IDF (FIDF) supporters joined stars of Netflix’s “Fauda,” Yaakov Zada Daniel and Meirav Shirom, at Temple Emanuel in a strong show of solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers on the frontlines who are risking their lives to restore security in Israel after the horrendous massacre that occurred on Oct. 7, and the ongoing attacks perpetrated by Hamas. The event had been scheduled as the FIDF New England 2023 Soldier Tribute in celebration of Israel’s 75 years of independence. However, in the wake of the attacks, it was transformed into a solidarity gathering where the Jewish community could show support for Israel’s soldiers during their greatest time of need. One hundred percent of proceeds from the event and donations to FIDF since the start of the war are going toward the emergency humanitarian needs of IDF soldiers. So far, more than $30 million has been transferred to the

IDF to meet their most urgent requests for its soldiers. The event included a special briefing from the ground with former IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General (Res.) Aviv Kohavi and words of solidarity and hope from “Fauda’s” Meirav Shirom and Yaakov Zada Daniel, who was the recipient of an FIDF IMPACT! Scholarship after his IDF service which covered the cost of his university education. VIP attendees included Consul General of Israel to New England, Ambassador Meron Reuben and Deputy Consul General, Irit Yakhnes; FIDF National Board Chair, Morey Levovitz; FIDF National Board President and New England Board Member, Marc Perlman; FIDF New England Board Chair and National Board Member, Sharon Mishkin; and FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil. Award-winning violinist Bar Markovich performed at the event. FIDF is the single organization in the United States designated by the IDF that is authorized to raise funds for its

Arline R. Kaplan, PhD

Consul General of Israel to New England, Ambassador Meron Reuben Photo credit: Eric Haynes, Courtesy of FIDF

soldiers, and FIDF acts according to the requirements of the IDF's Manpower Directorate to respond to the most urgent requests. Funds raised at the event will go toward lifesaving medical supplies such as ambulances, plasma, medical devices and field hospitals as well as hygiene kits and aid for the thousands of bereaved families who are suffering the loss of a loved one. As the IDF’s official partner, FIDF is the fastest and most direct way to support IDF soldiers.

“The brutal, barbaric acts of hatred committed against Israeli civilians are unthinkable, and IDF soldiers are facing an unprecedented and harrowing conflict, making our support for them more vital than ever before,” said FIDF CEO Steve Weil. “At the frontline of defense are Israel’s soldiers, bearing witness to heinous crimes and facing unimaginable challenges. They need to know that we, as a global community, are firmly there for them.”

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accepted the position as president of Collier/Lee Hadassah in the summer of 2020 when COVID was first beginning, and no one had any idea what the next several years would bring. Yet, through the pandemic, our chapter stood strong. After I assumed the presidency in January 2021 on a Zoom installation, Collier/Lee Hadassah managed to sustain and reach heights we never thought we would be able to achieve via Zoom and, more recently, in person. We’ve offered educational programs as well as entertaining programs. We also began our “Inspiring Women” program. Now entering its third year, we honor women who are doing wonders in our community. I began that January 2021 message showing my gratitude for so many Jewish institutions that were endearing to me. Today, I am especially thankful to my Collier/Lee Hadassah board members for the jobs they have undertaken these past three years! (Board positions last a year

or two, yet they all agreed to stay on for that third year!) Tragically, we are now faced with the unimaginable nightmare that began on Oct. 7 with the most gruesome invasion in Israel’s history. National Hadassah invites you to do a mitzvah and donate so that Hadassah hospitals can purchase the resources they need. During the first week of this war, there was mention of a 30-day hospital supply being used in the field in just one day! Do your share; consider making a gift. Together, we can help the victims of the war recover, rebuild their infrastructure and provide hope as we look to the future. Please remember how each of us can make a difference! In closing, I want to extend my gratitude to all of the members and supporters who make Collier/Lee Hadassah so successful. I am so thankful in this Thanksgiving/Hanukkah season for your continuous support. Please join us as we welcome the new board that will be installed at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center on Jan. 8. Sign up when you see the registration form in Hadassah Happenings. The theme is “Brunch and Broadway” and the Naples Players Readers Theatre Road Show will perform. I hope to see you soon!


ORGANIZATIONS

December 2023

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL

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www.jhsswf.org / 239-566-1771

What matters most By Marina Berkovich, president

Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

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hilosophically speaking, there is no substantiation of the worldwide rise in antisemitism in 2023. Jews constitute a mere .2% of global population, according to Pew Research Center. Jews have not been a militant warrior tribe since before our era, neither is the modern state of Israel. To the best of my knowledge and understanding, we win most of the battles we are thrown into with our infamous Jewish brains, a gift from HaShem, I’d say, but also the ultimate carryon developed by the displacement our people have undergone since time immemorial.

Our Jewish mind became the ultimate portable asset we bring with us from one historical shtetl to the next through inevitable adversities of history. That is what enables our people to thrive in places where others fail, and to create and deduct more often than others have. Here in Southwest Florida, we had made great progress in both improving the landscape of the community and in educating the non-Jewish layer of its population. Together with our neighbors, we have come far from the inception of Jewish presence in 1960’s Lee County, for example, when a rabbi was arrested because he looked so strange in his garb walking to shul on Shabbat or when some non-Jews in Collier County asked Jews to show their horns, also in the same decade. But sometimes, the scale of ignorance tips the other way and during the Nov. 1 rally, when Christians and Jews joined together in Southwest Florida Solidarity

Rally for Israel By Marina Berkovich, JHSSWF President

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n Nov. 1, a grassroots group of concerned citizens, SWFL Solidarity with Israel Coalition, held a flag- and sign-waving nonpolitical rally in support of Israel. Wayne Smith, a former Vietnam POW who was held captive for over five years in Hanoi Hilton and knows firsthand the perils of hostile captivity, and Lois Bolin, his wife, generously gave their time to surf all local stores in search of relevant supplies, coming up with excellent ideas and putting together a couple hundred hand-held posters showing hostage’s faces, which were prominently displayed at the rally. Several other volunteers pitched in, including Richard Hoffman, who brought in 300 shirts he purchased even before he learned of the rally. About 300

Collier and Lee county Christians and Jews, including Chabad rabbis, pastors of various denominations and Collier County Commissioner Burt Saunders stood on three corners of Airport-Pulling and Pine Ridge roads, waving American and Israeli flags, chanting and holding up hostage posters to show overall solidarity with Israel. Several thousand cars drove by, honking in support, sticking thumbs up and waving flags back. Collier County Sheriff’s Office gave excellent safety support and protection. There were about seven cars with drivers or passengers who drove by shouting “Zionists,” as if it is a curse or sticking their middle fingers up, but our rally was a huge overall success. Thanks to all who came. Am Yizrael Chai!

with Israel, I heard from too many Jews how surprised they were that Christians stood and honked in support of Israel alongside Jews. Jews undoubtedly have had many admirers and supporters of all religions. They represent the good and decent people of any time and place. But as always, our special “gift” is the center of vicious envy of those who had not been as “endowed” but have the determination, the neighborhood or global gossip network and the militant strength to pillage and destroy the fruit of our harvests. Even some Jews do that. Just how many slaveries our tribesmen have been through could be a subject of an academic report. In the aftermaths of all our Armageddons, we always rose in search of freedom for ourselves as well as others who were being oppressed. Even in situations where our minority rate was disproportionately smaller to theirs, and their ingratitude disturbingly telling. We do not seem to learn the lessons of history, no matter what. It is time for us to rehash some of Jewish history that is above and beyond the original scope of The Society’s mission. Nothing like war against our people everywhere for that learning and relearning process. We have created a

presentation curriculum to impart the history of the Jews in the South of United States of America, the Caribbean, Israel, and more. Please join us on Zoom or virtually to learn and share our presentations with others. Your generosity helps continue the work of The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL. No amount is too small. Donate online, by mail or contact us at office@jhsswf.org. Join the organization online at JHSSWF.org or mail us a check. Family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. If mailing a check, please send to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples, FL 34108. Members receive announcements, reminders and other wonderful information you would not want to miss. We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwestflorida.org/. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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Dr. Ellen Frankel at the Nov. 1 rally


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Federation Star

RABBINICAL REFLECTIONS

December 2023

Chanukah: not just for kids because they occur at the same time of year, sometimes even concurrently. Rabbi On the most simplistic level, the whole point of Chanukah is to salute Howard Jews’ unwillingness to convert or conS. Herman form. Chanukah reminds us of the DD military victory of the Israelites, the Hasmonean family, over the Seleucid meet adults all the time who ask Greeks. The Seleucid Greeks attempted “Rabbi, isn’t Chanukah a kid’s holito force Jews to assimilate to Greek day? Everything about it seems to tradition and religion and forget Jewbe for kids. Our grandchildren light the ish traditions and teachings. The story candles, we give them gifts and candy. relates to us that we fought back and, We make them latkes. We play dreidel against all odds, we won. None of that and it always seems that the holiday has is a children’s tale but we have created, its focus on children.” I usually say to for children, the fiction about the oil them, "Sure, there are parts of the celebrabeing needed for the lights in the Temple tion of Chanukah that and finding one small appeal to children but jar of oil that lasted Chanukah stands the holiday itself was eight days. If you want never meant to be for as a testament to the to know some of the kids.” I think it took truth about ChanuJewish community on a charming appeal kah, you need to look for children because at how it began in the who were unwilling we celebrate it around first place. to assimilate to the Christmas and do all After the revolt batdominate Greek we can to make it into tles, led by the Maca child-centered set cabee family against culture. of days. the Seleucid Greeks for There are similaridefiling the Temple in ties between the two celebrations. ChaJerusalem were won by the Maccabees nukah and Christmas both emphasize and the Zealots who aided them, the lights, miracles, family time and food. But Jewish community realized that they had to characterize Chanukah as the “Jewish never stopped to celebrate the harvest Christmas” is about as far from truth festival of Sukkot. It was decided that a as one can get — it’s one of the many late celebration of Sukkot was in order misconceptions that has been created that year.

I

Traditionally, Sukkot is an eightday festival celebrated late for the eight appointed days and nights. Over time, this late celebration of Sukkot became a yearly Jewish community event and the tradition reoriented to be a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees. Since it began as an eight-day holiday that first year, the tradition of celebrating Chanukah for eight days stuck. The story of the oil is just that, a story. It gave us a way to light candles each night. We have no idea whether they lit candles or not at that first Chanukah celebration. My guess is they didn’t and the tradition of lighting candles each night along with eating latkes and playing with dreidels and gelt were added later. There are many other myths about the celebration of Chanukah. But one

thing you can be certain of … Chanukah stands as a testament to the Jewish community that was unwilling to assimilate to the dominate Greek culture. There were Jews then who advocated for the reformation of their belief system, who welcomed aspects of the Greek culture. The Maccabees opposed their Hellenized counterparts, and the fight actually began as a bitter internal fight between fundamentalists and reformers. So, Chanukah is very much for adults and for children and can be considered an equal celebratory eight days. In whatever way you celebrate, let me wish you a joyous, fun and very tasty Chanukah. Rabbi Howard S. Herman DD serves at Naples Jewish Congregation.

The unstoppable force of light after the horrific events of Oct. 7, my colleagues and I traveled to our Holy Land of Israel for a mission to support the famiRabbi lies who suffered loss and displacement. Fishel There, we saw a tremendous amount Zaklos of darkness. My heart breaks just from thinking about the unimaginable loss and devastation we came face to face with. At the same time, we witnessed so here is one thing that I crave to much light; so much goodness. People see more of: light. who lost so much were full of hope The Bible tells us that the first and optimism for the future. They thing that was created by G-d was light were determined to live and honor the — “And the Lord said let there be light, lives and loss of their loved ones. I saw and there was light." heroes with unbelievable inner strength, Why is light so important that it and we met people who can never be was created before anything else? defeated because their fire and light can In recent weeks and months, the not be extinguished. answer has become clearer to me: In a I came with the intention to bring world that sometimes feels so dark and light and I returned brighter than ever. depressing, the greatest antidote is bringEven my own sadness and heaviness ing light into it. “Let there be a light!” is melted away, warmed in the brightness an eternal mandate given to each of us of the light I witnessed. to bring light into our hearts, homes Yes, friends, that is why light was creand community. ated first –– because it is the most potent When dark forces wreak havoc on force on earth. those we love, we can feel powerless to Nothing can get in the way of goodstop them. And while we may not be ness, of justice, of our beloved Israel able to prevent darkness from occurand our incredible nation. Light will ring, we are far from powerless to keep it always win. from spreading. Yet, there is much darkness, despair There is an old Hasidic expression that and despondency in our world now. The you don’t fight darkness with sticks and hypocrisy of many people in the face of stones; you fight darkness by lighting a the loss of Jewish life is maddening. The match. Of course, the IDF needs to take evil hatred of Jews and up arms and fight for their state is terrifying. Israel, for the Jewish In a world that So, what do we do people, for the world. But what can those of sometimes feels so dark about it? Yo u k n o w t h e us who are thousands and depressing, the answer: “let there be of miles away do? How greatest antidote is light!” The powers of do we ignite the light that dispels pervasive bringing light into it. darkness have nothing on the light of a menodarkness? rah, the light of Shabbat candles, the light Light is relevant every day of the year, of a kind deed and a loving word. as we always need to add brightness to So, light your own menorah this our world. And there’s no better time to Chanukah and witness the magic of light focus on light than during the holiday of over darkness for yourself. Come to a publights: Chanukah. We start off by lighting lic menorah lighting and celebrate Jewish one solitary candle, then each day we add pride. Now is the time to shine the power another, thus flooding more light into of your own light stronger than ever. the darkness of winter. Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad And there is another powerful reason Jewish Center of Naples. that light is coming to mind. Very soon

T


SYNAGOGUE NEWS

December 2023

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www.naplestemple.org / 239-455-3030

TEMPLE SHALOM

Temple Shalom’s collection for Israel By Jeanette Fisher

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n Mo n d a y, Oct. 23, a call went out to our congregation for desperately needed supplies for the IDF and displaced persons from southern Israel. Asher Saida, Rabbi Ariel Boxman’s husband, left for Israel the next day and delivered them in person. The response from our congregation was incredible. All day long, generous members of our community stopped by with bags full of supplies. Volunteers stayed busy helping to sort, fold and pack. Using vacuum sealing, 19 large duffle bags were packed and driven by volunteers to the Miami Airport. Israeli officer loading supplies Rabbi Ariel Boxman with Asher Saida and their sons Asher arrived in Israel to support this effort and all the volunalso the largest civilian shipment that Thank you, Asher, for transporting all and was met by army personnel who teers who helped throughout the day they had received. You can watch a 19 bags of supplies to Israel and to EL helped him transport the supplies to the with sorting, packing and transporting video from Logistics Officer Yigal Ben AL for waiving baggage fees and limbase. The soldiers were overwhelmed these much-needed goods to our family David of the IDF Gaza Region on its. We thank everyone who brought and overjoyed to receive them. They in Israel. our website at naplestemple.org/israeldonations on such short notice as well said that not only was it everything resources.html. as those who generously donated funds that they desperately needed but it was

US IN SOLIDARITY WE STAND WITH ISRAEL FORJOIN THIS SPECIAL EVENT JEWISH NATIONAL FUND - USA INVITES YOU TO OUR

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RSVP required by February 6, 2024 at jnf.org/NapLegacy


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Federation Star

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

December 2023

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818

BETH TIKVAH

Family values Joseph Henson President

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ishpocha and l'dor v'dor are two important aspects of the Jewish ethos — that is, the common spirit of the Jewish culture as seen in our beliefs, memories and aspirations. Mishpocha, "family" in both Yiddish and Hebrew, can be as narrow as your nuclear family or, more often, your extended family and friends. But in response to the unprovoked slaughter of innocents on Oct. 7, we should extend it to its widest. Jews are only a miniscule 0.2% of the world population. Jews are found in many countries, but most live in the U.S. (51%) or in Israel (30%). Given the rise in antisemitism worldwide, the Jewish population is slowly migrating to securer lands from, for example, France or Russia.

L’dor v'dor is, among other things, about passing connections of Jewishness from generation to generation, from older to younger. This transmission of Jewish values, rituals, traditions and especially history to the next generation is critical. There are many ways this can be done, but learning within the family is paramount. Exposure to Jewish camps, youth groups and so forth are significant sources because it’s just not grandpa prattling on. However, to reinforce these values, it is important we show personal involvement in organized Jewish groups from AIPAC through Hillel to ZOA. There is a rainbow of associations from liberal to conservative with Judaism or Israel as its central focus. Within these, Jewish Federations play a vital role. However, it looks like we may have muffed our capability to smoothly pass along these integral values. According to a February 2023 Gallup survey, net sympathy for Israel versus Palestinians was 31% or higher for generational groups born in 1979 or earlier,

but for those born in 1980 or later, it is negative 2%. This is a momentous drop among the two youngest generational groups, the Millennials and Gen Z. Net sympathy does not require a monolithic Jewish view for political or social solutions. There are clearly a wide range of principled stands that can be espoused: i) court restructuring, how or not, ii) Israel or nothing on the building/ maintaining/abandoning of settlements in, as you prefer, the occupied or disputed territories, et al. The essential point is to do your best not to let opposition or support of Israeli policies morph into antisemitism, in particular after the Oct. 7 pogrom. This net sympathy attitudinal shift seems to be, in part, driving an increase in antisemitic views. The Anti-Defamation League’s September 2023 report on Anti-Israel Activism on U.S. Campuses 2022-23 notes, “Vilification of Zionists and expressions of support for terror against Israel defined anti-Israel activism on college campuses.” Likewise, the ADL

CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS AND ESTERO

has warned that “the left-wing movement that agitates against Israel in the name of Palestinian rights has made antisemitism more socially acceptable.” Regrettably, since the Oct. 27, 2018 attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, when a virulent antisemite murdered 11, the embrace American Jews once felt from communities across the United States seems to be fading away. Amanda Berman, founder of a progressive Zionist group, partially attributes this to the fact that people are applying a simple oppressor/oppressed binary onto the conflict without a sound foundation in the history and actual forces at work on the ground. This speaks to the point that we, the mishpocha, need to be better at passing our values — l'dor v'dor — to next generations. In December, when this grandpa is in Boston with his college freshmen grandchildren, he will try to practice what he preaches. Am Yisrael Chai!

www.jewishbonita.com / 239-949-6900

Chabad of Bonita Springs Your home for Jewish community and spirituality

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estled in the heart of Bonita Springs, Chabad of Bonita Springs and Estero is a warm and welcoming hub for Jews from all backgrounds. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive Jewish experience, catering to individuals of all ages and interests. Here, you can find a wide array of services, educational programs, social events and holiday celebrations that will enrich your spiritual journey.

the area that offers daily services. Our community understands the significance of coming together to pray, find spiritual inspiration and build connections. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor, our doors are always open for you. Join us for our daily services, and let's grow, learn and share meaningful experiences together.

Daily services

Our Shabbat services are a true celebration. Friday evenings are a joyous occasion

We are proud to be the only center in

Shabbat services

from October to April at 6 p.m. and May through September at 7 p.m. Saturday mornings bring a heartwarming atmosphere with services at 10 a.m., Torah reading at 11:15 a.m., a sermon at 11:45 a.m. and Kiddush at 12:30 p.m. The Kiddush gatherings are the most popular place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Here, you can connect with fellow congregants, enjoy traditional Jewish delicacies and share stories that strengthen our bonds as a community.

Educational programs

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• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

• Signs, Banners, Posters

• Event Invitations/Programs

• Mailings

• Business Identity Packages • Promotional Items • Events & Tradeshows

• Stationery

239.592.9377 Info@NaplesEnvelope.com

At Chabad of Bonita Springs, we believe in nourishing both the mind and the soul. We offer a range of educational programs, including the Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), the Rosh Chodesh Society for Jewish women, Chassidic philosophy discussions every morning, Talmud study on Mondays, a lunch 'n' learn Torah class on Wednesdays and one-on-one classes tailored to your interests. There are opportunities to delve into Hebrew lessons, Yiddish language, and the study of Chassidic philosophy and Torah.

Making a difference

We are not just a place of worship; we're also committed to serving our community. Our "Kosher Meals on Wheels" program delivers nutritious kosher meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities. Our Kosher grocery store, Bonita Kosher Market, offers a wide selection of kosher products to make keeping kosher more accessible and affordable.

Rabbi Greenberg and Luba Greenberg Co-directors The very much anticipated Kosher Deli is scheduled to open early 2024. Stay tuned for grand opening info.

Supporting Jewish students

Chabad of Bonita Springs operates an independent center serving Jewish students at FGCU. Led by Rabbi Mendel and Shternie Gordon, this center provides resources and a welcoming community for students.

Contact information

You can find us at 24611 S. Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs. For more information, don't hesitate to call us at 239-949-6900 or email chabad@jewishbonita.com. Visit our website at www.Jewishbonita.com for the latest updates and event details.

All are welcome

Chabad of Bonita Springs and Estero welcomes everyone, and you don't need to be a member to join our services or programs. We are here to embrace, educate and celebrate together. Join us for a spiritual journey that offers much more than just prayer – it offers a sense of community, a shared history and an open heart. We look forward to welcoming you to Chabad of Bonita Springs!


SYNAGOGUE NEWS

December 2023

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

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www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-431-3858

Anniversary and Chanukkah celebrations Charles Flum President

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n Dec. 11, Naples Jewish Congregation will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Details are being taken care of so go to naplesjewish congregation.org for the latest updates as well as how to buy tickets. Oh, and we will also be celebrating Chanukkah. Another big event is coming up on March 10. Listen Up! A Jewish a cappella music group from Chicago will entertain us during our Artist in Residence

program. They were here a few years ago and wowed the sellout crowd. In order to accommodate all the people, it will be held at Federation’s Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center this year. For more information and to get your tickets before they sell out, go to naplesjewishcongregation.org. Ticket sales will begin in January. Rabbi Herman has created a once a month wonderful adult education program before a light dinner and Shabbat services. You can find the topics for this free program on naplesjewish congregation.org. You get the gist now. The place to go to find out what is happening in our congregation can be found at naples jewishcongregation.org. You can also search for us under naplesjewishcongregation

on Facebook. You will find information such as: services schedule, who our congregational leaders are, how to join our synagogue, and so much more. Going back to Chanukah, why do we celebrate it? No, it is not because the oil lasted for eight days. That story was written 400 years after the Maccabees overthrew the Greek overlords. The answer is found in the book of Maccabees. According to the story there, the Jews were fighting so much that they had no time for Sukkot. When they liberated the Temple, it was decreed that they should then (around December) celebrate the eight-day holiday. That is what evolved into the Chanukah celebration today. Historically, and perhaps most importantly, it was the first

time anyone had ever fought a war for religious freedom. Chanukah also helps us remember that when our rights are taken away, we Jews can fight. That is something which we nearly lost in the 2000-year diaspora. As Israel reminds us today, we Jews are a tough people. We can defend ourselves when necessary. Hopefully (though, unfortunately, I do not hold out much hope), there will come a time when we do not have to defend ourselves, especially as there are so few others who will stand by our side. So, it is fitting that we celebrate our 25th anniversary and Chanukah together as both show Am Israel Chi, the people of Israel live!

Naples Jewish Congregation celebrates 25 years By Charles Flum, President

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aples Jewish Congregation (NJC) was founded 25 years ago by 13 couples who wanted something different, a Reform congregation which would serve the needs of adults without young children. Initially, the couples met in each other’s homes. When they realized that the synagogue needed a new place to meet in order to have room to grow, they decided to partner with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and meet there. This partnership has continued to this day. We have had four permanent rabbis since the synagogue’s inception. For the first few years, a rabbi was hired only to conduct high holiday services. As our congregation grew and we could afford a full-time rabbi, we hired Rabbi Solomovitz followed by Rabbi Schenkerman, who served until he passed away in early 2005. Rabbi Sylvan Wolf next led the congregation for 12 years. Our current rabbi, Howard Herman, was hired in 2017, bringing a new vision and ever-increasing energy to our congregation. Through the years, we have been blessed with a wonderful cantorial soloist, Jane Galler, and our music director and pianist, Alla Gorelick. They have been with us since shortly after the synagogue was created. Together with the volunteer

choir, who sing at many of the services, they provide beautiful, uplifting music. Our services take place Friday evenings at 7 p.m. and once a month on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Go to naplesjewishcongrega tion.org for the schedule of services. We have a very active congregation, even though we are relatively small. We socialize after Friday services at the Oneg and Saturday morning services are followed by a light lunch. The rabbi conducts fascinating adult education classes once a month, October through March. These take place prior to Friday night services. As one would expect, the topics are varied: aging, the prophets, Jewish views on the hot topics of today, etc. The classes are attended by more than half the members. Probably the most unique feature of NJC is an activity named Flamingle. We gather about once a month in a park or a restaurant to socialize and learn about each other. For example, for our upcoming Flamingle, we are meeting in a park, bringing food to share as well as a funny story about ourselves. Flamingle has proven very popular, with close to half of our members participating. People who are considering joining our congregation are always welcome to attend. Our sisterhood is very active. It sponsors many activities during the year: Tai chi classes, book discussions, dinners and other get-togethers. Our congregation hosts a second seder and a break the fast after Yom Kippur. These events are always very well attended. Our annual Chanukah dinner is very special this year. We are combining it with our 25th anniversary celebration. We will have a very elaborate dinner, with memorabilia and photos from our 25 years on display. Other activities for the evening are being kept under wraps. This serves to kick off a year of celebration.

March 10, 2024 our Artist in Residence program will feature Listen Up!, a nationally known Jewish vocal band from Chicago. The event nearly sold out the last time they were here. They were so good that we are bringing them back. The Artist in Residence program and the 25th Anniversary/Chanukah

celebration are open to the public. Go to our website, naplesjewishcongregation. org, to sign up. While there, you can see all the activities we have planned. We would love for you to come join us, become a member and worship with us. Come join “The Congregation With a big Heart.”

SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS Jewish Federation and Temple Shalom offer PARTIAL scholarships for Jewish Summer Sleep-Away Camp & Israel Experience programs! Scholarship opportunities are available to all Jewish youth in the community, regardless of synagogue affiliation. For more information and the application form, please visit: jewishnaples.org/scholarships-grants

or call (239) 263-4205

APPLICATION DEADLINE

IS FEBRUARY 2, 2024


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SYNAGOGUE NEWS

December 2023

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES

2024

www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

(January-March)

ELLIOTT KATZ LECTURE SERIES

Chabad Naples news Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

for purchase and signing. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. For details on “Celebration of Jewish Life” events and to order tickets, visit CJLnaples.com or call 239-262-4474.

The Big Build

Co-sponsored by

OF GREATER NAPLES

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE Jan. 12 – The United Nations Blinks, Again

From April 1992 until November 1996 Bosnian Serb soldiers and Serbian Army units conducted a campaign of genocide against Bosnian Muslims. Learn how NATO was useless when handcuffed by the U.N.

Jan. 26 – Very Rich, Very Beautiful, Very Bad

While living in France during WWII, Florence La Caze Gould, wife to the sone of one of America’s richest men, befriended and bedded some of the worst Nazi murderers in the country. Investigated by J. Edgar Hoover and F.B.I. for treason after the war, what was her excuse?

Feb. 9 – These Were Not Nice Jewish Boys

During the 1930s, there was an almost unfathomable rise of antisemitism. One man enlisted a group of Jews to stop Jew baiting and harassment. They were known nationwide as Murder, Inc. What did they do?

Feb. 23 – They Said It Couldn’t Happen Here, It Did

19th century America was in turmoil. Mormon immigrants were the subject of an expulsion and extermination order. Later, a Union General, who later became the President of the United States, ordered Jews living in the South to be deported. How could this happen and who did this?

March 8 — The Black Experience Under the Swastika, You Will Be Surprised

Adolf Hitler and National Socialism had only hatred and scorn for black skinned people. Ironically, one black “American Prisoner of War” became a hero to a generation of white concentration camp and labor camp inmates. Hear about Johnny Nicholas and his courage.

March 22 – The New York Times, It Never Learns

The New York Times reporting on the rise of Fidel Castro, violence in the middle east and Israel’s need to defend itself reaffirms the view that the Sulzberger Dynasty, continues to let ideology, politics and prejudices dictate “all the news fit to print.”

March 29 - Saluting America and the American Soldier

81 years ago, the United States Marines captured Iwo Jima, steppingstone to Japan. 6,000 Marines died and 18,500 were injured. Today we tell the story and honor every man and woman serving to protect America.

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et ready for an unforgettable night of celebration, music and unity at Cambier Park in Naples on Dec. 7, beginning at 4:15 p.m. Naples' biggest Chanukah Party of the year will have something for everyone. Nissim Black from Israel will perform live in concert. We are buzzing with excitement and can't wait to share it with you! More than ever, we need to stand united as a Jewish community, and what better time to show our commitment to Israel than at our annual Chanukah Festival! The event is free, with reserved and preferred seating for the concert available to sponsors. We are equally excited for our annual Preschool of the Arts children’s performance. Reserve seats at Chabadnaples.com/festival.

"Celebration of Jewish Life"

Our first two “Celebration of Jewish Life” events were simply amazing. Mark your calendars and plan to attend some or all of the following: • The December events feature "Jewish Comedy Night" with Joel Chasnoff, standup comedian, former IDF soldier and author of multiple nonfiction books, on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at Chabad (1789 Mandarin Road). Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door); $54 for VIP seating; $100 for a private cocktail reception with Joel from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and VIP seating. • At 2 p.m. on the following afternoon at the Naples Conference Center (1455 Pine Ridge Road), join us for “Celebrate Israel: An afternoon of stories, reflection and conversation with Joel Chasnoff.” His new book, “Israel 201,” will be available

PURCHASE SERIES OR INDIVIDUAL TICKETS AT WWW.JEWISHNAPLES.ORG. Tickets can be purchased at the door if seats are available.

Adult education

Our well-attended Kabbalah course was amazing, and we look forward to you joining us for the next course, which begins in January. “Winter: Advice for Life” is based on The Lubavitcher Rebbe's “Guidance for Leading a More Purposeful Life.” The Rebbe's spiritual leadership is the force behind the modern Chabad movement. Join us for a multimedia journey through the Rebbe's practical wisdom on work, family, health and well-being. Discover how the Rebbe applied Jewish values to serve as a guide for finding deeper meaning in everyday life. Our informative course runs Jan. 29-Feb. 3. Call the office for information.

Shabbat and Kiddush luncheon

Join us weekly for uplifting Shabbat services with meaning, melody and humor. All are welcome. We use Hebrew/ English prayer books. One of the weekly highlights has always been the Kiddush luncheon at 12:15 p.m.! The Torah service begins at 11 a.m. and includes the rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading which always have a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message.

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DETAILS AND TICKETS WHERE: Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center 4720 Pine Ridge Rd. WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m. with Q&A to follow. COST: Series tickets: $150 pp; 4 ticket: $100; Individual tickets $35 pp

Chabad of Naples and Preschool of the Arts has launched a capital campaign to extend the campus, thus increasing our facilities to enable much-needed additional Preschool and Hebrew School classrooms, expanded summer camp and new spaces for community events. "The Big Build" is a community-inspired and community-funded effort. Help us make this a reality! Please visit www.Naples BigBuild.com for more information!

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FOCUS ON YOUTH

December 2023

PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS

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www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474

Counting our blessings Ettie Zaklos Founder & Director

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s we wrap up the calendar year with a whirlwind of holidays, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable moments that have defined our journey at the Jay and Patty Baker Preschool of the Arts. Our recent Thanksgiving performance in Cambier Park stands out as a welcome day of joy and light, after a dark few weeks for the Jewish world. "Counting Our Blessings, 1, 2, 3" was the resonating theme of our Thanksgiving celebration. This year, we are taking nothing for granted and made sure to count every single one of our many blessings, celebrating the biggest blessing of all: our children. The performance was a spectacular showcase where our little ones shone brightly, surrounded by family and friends. The park echoed with laughter and cheer, as our children’s voices filled the air, singing melodies that celebrated gratitude and togetherness. Thanksgiving is one of our biggest events of the year, a culmination of our efforts, where the warmth of the season envelops us all. This celebration is more than just a performance; it’s a cherished opportunity for our children to showcase their growth and creativity, radiating happiness as they proudly present their artistic expressions. Watching them bloom into confident performers, supported by their loved ones, is an unparalleled joy for us at POTA. The sense of unity and pride that fills the

park during this event is a testament to the close-knit community we have built. Gratitude is at the core of Preschool of the Arts. It's not just a fleeting notion but a deeply ingrained value in our school's ethos. It’s a sentiment we strive to instill in our children daily from our morning welcome circle to our goodbye rituals and highlighted weekly at Shabbat celebrations. Of course, the lesson resonates more profoundly during special occasions like Thanksgiving and Chanukah. Yet, no matter the month or holiday, appreciation and thankfulness are woven into every aspect of our program. In that spirit, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to those who make POTA possible. To my husband, Rabbi Fishel, whose unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in our journey. To Jay and Patty Baker, whose generosity and belief in our vision is leading to the realization of our dream to expand our

Federation Star Publication Policy The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of JFGN. Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of Federation as well as ongoing activities of recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples. The goal of JFGN is to reach out and unite all Jews of the Greater Naples area. While differing opinions and points of view exist on many issues of importance to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing only items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and offer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose. Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will not be published. To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among our people, the Officers and Board of Trustees of Federation have adopted the following publication policy: Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the advertis-

ing manager, subject to the approval of the Federation board. Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairs) of established and recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and the designated chairs of the regular committees of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from established Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and may, at the discretion of the Federation board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above. News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross section of the Jewish community will be accepted for publication. Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view about political issues will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Officers and Trustees. All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chair shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Officers and Board of Trustees of JFGN.

preschool with a brand-new building, which will soon become the cornerstone of our vibrant community. Our heartfelt gratitude also extends to all the generous donors and supporters, who, through their contributions, are helping us build a bright future for our community. Equally deserving of gratitude are our dedicated staff, whose passion and dedication lay the foundation for the nurturing environment we foster. They embody the values we cherish and channel their energy into creating an enriching experience for our children. And, of course, my deepest thanks go to our precious children who bring light

and joy into our lives. Their laughter, curiosity and boundless enthusiasm make every effort, every hurdle and every success worth the journey. As we navigate the festive season and look forward to the new year, we carry the spirit of gratitude with us. POTA will continue to nurture an environment where thankfulness isn't just a holiday sentiment but a way of life. It's when we take a moment to look back that we really see what a difference being thankful can be in fostering the joy and sense of community that POTA is known for.

HAPPY

Hanukkah! CELEBRATE WITH PJ LIBRARY AT THE COLLIER COUNTY LIBRARY- HEADQUARTERS BRANCH! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH AT 5:30 PM DREIDELS, SNACKS, CRAFTS, STORIES, AND SPECIAL MUSICAL GUEST, MS. JANE!


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FOCUS ON YOUTH

December 2023

azabbg.bbyo.org/on-demand/home

BBYO

Updates with BBYO Naples and Fort Myers By Cayla Schreier, BBYO Southwest Coordinator

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ctober was a fun-filled month, but we have more exciting events coming your way. We held our ‘Wow’ Event: Naples BBYO Mockmitzvah on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. The 26 teens had a fun time listening to the DJ play their favorite songs, taking great pictures at the photobooth and playing foosball, spike ball and cornhole on the back lawn. Thank you to Jeffrey Feld, Phil Zoltek, Larry and Jenie Sandler, and Ben Yaffe for contributing your time and helping the teens create fond memories. Our teens have planned a meaningful Israel Havdalah ceremony that will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18. The teens will hold an insightful Havdalah and share their thoughts on the current conflict in Israel with the support of their friends. We are excited to attend the All-Florida Fall Convention, which will take place Nov. 17-19 in Fort Lauderdale. This weekendlong Shabbaton will encompass members from the North Florida Region, Florida’s Gold Coast Region and the Miami-Dade Region. They are excited to reunite with their NFR friends and meet new BBYO friends located in the Gold Coast and Miami-Dade regions. We are planning our first Naples BBYO fundraiser. This fundraiser will take place

on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at California Pizza Kitchen at Waterside Shops in Naples. We are also excited to celebrate BBYO’s Global Shabbat, which will be on Friday, Dec. 8. Please keep an eye out for more details.

What is BBYO?

BBYO is a diverse and inclusive Jewish youth group to encourage Jewish teens to become more immersed and interested in meaningful Jewish activities and programs. This organization accepts Jewish teens attending 8th through 12th grades of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender, race, denominational affiliation and socioeconomic status. BBYO currently reaches over 70,000 teens worldwide, with participants in over 60 countries and hundreds of chapters across the United States.

Supporting our teenage Jewish community

It is crucial to engage teens post-B’nai Mitzvah age in Jewish activities. Having teens get involved in BBYO and be eager to create and confidently continue their own Jewish community within their greater Jewish communities is critical to our future. The BBYO chapter of Naples has entered its 11th year of partnership with

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah. Each organization provides financial support, volunteers and community involvement opportunities for the BBYO teens. We thank each and every one of our BBYO alum, friends and other supporters for making this a safe and positive environment for the teens of BBYO Naples and Fort Myers. If you know of someone who has a teen who might like to join BBYO Naples or Fort Myers or know of someone who may want to be an advisor to our chapters,

please email me at cschreier@bbyo.org. You can also follow us on Instagram at Mishpacha_BBG and Negevaza. Scholarships to attend BBYO conventions and summer programs are available through both Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and the Temple Shalom Men’s Club. Please contact me for more information on scholarships. If you are a BBYO alum and would like to be included in our Friends and Alumni of BBYO mailing list, please email us at mjs0821@aol.com.

COLLIER COUNTY EDUCATOR AWARD

Stand Up for Justice

Application Deadline is February 2, 2024 The Stand Up for Justice educator grant recognizes elementary, middle, and high school educators who are innovative in bringing respect for others and their differences into their activities with students in caring, impactful, and transformative ways. The grant recognizes teachers, guidance counselors, school librarians, media specialists, school psychologists, administrators, and others who create a resource for educators in any discipline to incorporate strategies that promote respect and understanding among students, countering bigotry and bullying. To apply, please visit www.jewishnaples.org/outreach/educator-award For more information, please call (239) 263-4205


COMMUNITY DIRECTORY TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455.3030  Fax: 455.4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller, MAHL Cantor Donna Azu, MSM Rabbi Ariel Boxman, MAHL, MARE, Director of Lifelong Learning Rabbi James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Deborah Rosen Fidel, J.D., MAJPS, Executive Director Len Teitelbaum, President Jim Cochran, Music Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m. Sisterhood Men’s Club Adult Education Havurot Youth Groups Religious School Judaic Library Hebrew School Preschool Adult Choir Social Action Naples’ only Judaica Shop

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262.4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos Co-directors Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m. Camp Gan Israel Hebrew School Preschool of the Arts Jewish Women’s Circle Adult Education Bat Mitzvah Club Friendship Circle Smile on Seniors Flying Challah Kosher food delivery

CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO 24611 Production Circle Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Phone: 239-949-6900 Email: chabad@jewishbonita.com Website: www.JewishBonita.com Rabbi Mendy & Luba Greenberg Co-directors Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. Shabbat 10 a.m. Adult Education Challah of Love Community Events Daily Minyan Services Hebrew School Kosher Grocery Kosher Meals on Wheels Smile on Seniors

December 2023 JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND (Reform) 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: 642.0800  Fax: 642.1031 Email: tboxma@marcojcmi.com Website: www.marcojcmi.com Rabbi Mark Gross Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Stan Alliker, President Shabbat Services Friday 7:30 p.m. Seasonal: Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi’s Lifelong Learning Series Sidney R. Hoffman Jewish Film Festival Saul I. Stern Cultural Series JCMI Book Club

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION (Reform)

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Howard Herman 431.3858 Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

Federation Star

47

BETH TIKVAH (Conservative)

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Phone: 434.1818 Email: office@bethtikvah.us Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org

Charles Flum, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist

Rabbi Ammos Chorny Joseph Henson, President Roberta Miller, Secretary

Shabbat Services Friday evenings 7 p.m. May - August: services once a month

Shabbat Services Friday evenings 6:15 p.m. Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m.

Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

TOP Jewish Foundation Stands in Solidarity With Israel For decades, TOP has adopted a very strong pro-Israel Investment Policy: 7% of the Balanced Pool must be invested in Israel Bonds Current investment equals $5m of Israel Bonds Significant equity investment in companies with an Israeli focus Strict anti-terror and anti-BDS policy Adheres to Protecting Florida’s Investments Act Currently, TOP is processing hundreds of requests from our donors through their donor-advised funds (DAFs) to JFNA’s Israel Emergency Fund and dozens of nonprofit organizations directly supporting Israel. Please consider making a donation to Israel at this crucial time: Use your donor-advised fund (DAF) or consider starting a DAF to support your Jewish community Purchase an Israel Bond using your DAF Use a credit card to support the JFNA Israel Emergency Fund (contact the office for assistance)

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Greater Naples (All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Phone: 263.4205 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation Board Chair: Nathaniel Ritter • Federation President/CEO: Jeffrey Feld

American Jewish Committee

Regional Dir: Brian Lipton, 941.365.4955

American Technion Society

Chapter Dir: Kelley Whiter, 561.395.7206

Baker Senior Center Naples Phone: 325.4444 Chairperson: Prentiss Higgins President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

Friends of the IDF

TOP Jewish Foundation was founded to ensure the Jewish future while helping community members maximize their charitable giving. For individual donors, TOP offers donor-advised funds (DAFs), endowment/legacy funds as well as charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts. Interested in a Conversation? Ellen Weiss Executive Director 813.769.4785 ellen@topjewishfoundation.org

The Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Elyse Hyman Director of Philanthropy 813.769.4769 elyse@topjewishfoundation.org

Together, we are ensuring a Jewish future.

Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305.354.8233

GenShoah SWFL 263.9200

Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah President: Joyce Toub, 518.330.1559

Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Chairperson: Stuart Price President/CEO: Susan Suarez, 263.9200

Israel Bonds

Monica DiGiovanni, 727.282.1124

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida

President: Marina Berkovich, 566.1771

Jewish National Fund

Joshua Mellits, 941.462.1330 x865

The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Jewish War Veterans Post 202

4720 Pine Ridge Road • Naples, FL 34119

President: Michael Sobol, 508.733.9427

Phone: 239.263.4205 E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org • Website: www.jewishnaples.org

Cayla Schreier, 845.405.1991

Volume 33, No. 4 • December 2023 • 48 pages USPS Permit No. 521

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA)

Publisher: Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Editor: Sharon Hood • 239.591.2709 • sharon@marketcrank.com Design: MarketCrank, Inc.

Commander, Harvey Sturm, 261.3270

Men’s Cultural Alliance Naples BBYO

SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954.457.9766

PJ Library

Coordinator: Amber Ferren 239.263.4205

Women’s Cultural Alliance

Advertising: Joy Walker • 941.284.0520

President: Patti Boochever, 518.852.3440

January 2024 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: November 29 • Advertising: December 7 Send news stories to: sharon@marketcrank.com

Zionist Organization of America President: Jerry Sobel, 914.329.1024


48

Federation Star

December 2023

Celebrate the miracle. Find recipes and more at publix.com/chanukah.


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Updates with BBYO Naples and Fort Myers

3min
page 46

Counting our blessings

3min
page 45

Chabad Naples news

3min
page 44

Naples Jewish Congregation celebrates 25 years

3min
page 43

Anniversary and Chanukkah celebrations

3min
page 43

Chabad of Bonita Springs

3min
page 42

Family values

3min
page 42

Temple Shalom’s collection for Israel

2min
page 41

The unstoppable force of light

4min
page 40

Chanukah: not just for kids

3min
page 40

Rally for Israel

2min
page 39

What matters most

4min
page 39

Nearly 700 community members gather in support of emergency funding for IDF soldiers

3min
page 38

New York’s leading Imam meet with Jewish student leaders

3min
page 37

Oy! Geh Vahlt!

3min
page 37

My visit to Israel — heroes, sirens and broken hearts

4min
page 36

Jews unite against antisemitism

1min
page 35

Jumping into action to support Israel and one another

3min
page 35

Israel Oct. 7, 2023

4min
page 34

Heroic Coward

5min
page 33

Sufganiyot pull-apart cake

6min
page 32

When grandparents and grandkids are separated by divorce

4min
page 31

Exciting programs are coming to Beth Tikvah!

2min
page 30

Temple Shalom events open to the community

2min
page 28

Naples Jewish Congregation events open to the community

2min
page 26

2023-2024 GenShoah SWFL programs

3min
page 22

“Ich red Engelesh!”

4min
page 21

Messages of mutual respect through the museum

4min
page 20

Five movies (two very Jewish) and a documentary

5min
page 18

The Jewish heritage in American folk-art exhibit

4min
page 16

Comedian and author Joel Chasnoff featured in two December events

2min
page 16

A review of “Kantika”

2min
page 15

Interest in Jewish Book Festival Kickoff event necessitates move to larger venue

2min
page 15

MCA — back for its 11th season

4min
page 12

WCA, friends and me — we are family

3min
page 11

Understanding senior housing in Southwest Florida

2min
page 10

Sit and stand with poles and bands

2min
page 8

How I finally lost 65 pounds and kept it off

2min
page 8

Two PJ Library and family Chanukah events

1min
page 7

Jewish unity through music with the Alta Rockers

1min
page 7

Happy Chanukah!

3min
page 6

How to raise your voice to protect Jewish and Pro-Israel students on campus

1min
page 4

Federation Star - December 2023

0
page 4

Jewish and Catholic perspectives on sin and forgiveness

1min
page 4

The importance of our annual campaign

2min
page 3

Light over darkness

1min
page 3

Southwest Florida must stand with Israel, reject intolerance and antisemitism

4min
pages 1-2
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