A new chapter for our Greater Naples Jewish community

Nammie Ichilov, Incoming Federation President/CEO

As I step into my role as the new president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the journey ahead. As such, I want to take this opportunity to briefly share key aspects of my vision and plans for our community's future.

Our mission is clear: we are here to build and strengthen our Jewish community through three key pillars: convening, planning and securing our resources. This approach is inspired by the timeless wis(Ethics of the Fathers), which teaches, “On three things the world stands: on Torah, on service, and on acts of loving kindness” (1:2).

Community engagement is at the heart of my vision for our Federation. "Kol Yisrael arevim — “All Jews are responsible for one another” (Shavuot 39a). With this principle as our guide, we are committed to creating spaces and opportunities for every member of our community to connect and contribute. In the coming months, we will host a series of community gatherings designed to bring together diverse voices from across our Greater Naples Jewish landscape. Your participation in these events will be crucial as we shape our collective future.

Under the category of engagement, I am also committed to continuing our support for the WCA and MCA missions to provide meaningful cultural programs. The richness of Jewish culture is one of our greatest assets; by showcasing this heritage, we strengthen our community bonds and also build essential bridges to the wider Naples community.

As we look ahead, we must proactively plan for the Jewish future of Greater Naples. This means addressing our current needs while also anticipating the opportunities and challenges that lay before us. I will be embarking on a comprehensive listening tour, meeting with as many of you as possible. Your insights and perspectives will be invaluable in informing our strategic plan for the future of Jewish life in our region.

To realize our community's full potential, we must also focus on securing necessary resources. However, I want to emphasize that this goes beyond traditional fundraising. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of community investment that reflects our deepest Jewish values.

I want to express my deep appreciation to our outgoing CEO, Jeffrey Feld, for ensuring a smooth transition. His dedication exemplifies the best of Jewish communal leadership and sets a high standard for our work moving forward.

As we embark on this new chapter together, I am inspired by the words of our great sage Rabbi Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14). The time for renewed community engagement, strategic planning and collective action is now, and I am honored to lead us in this endeavor.

I look forward to meeting each of you, hearing your ideas and working together to create a vibrant and thriving Jewish community in Greater Naples. Let us join hands and hearts as we write the next chapter of our community's story.