Changes

By Nat Ritter, Board Chair and Jane Schiff, Immediate Past Chair

Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “The only thing constant in life is change.” There is a change coming to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples … President and CEO Jeffrey Feld is retiring at the end of January. Many of you know this and will be attending his retirement party on Dec. 15 at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. While his retirement officially starts Feb. 1, 2025, Feld will hand over daily operational responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2025.

Feld came to Naples as the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Collier County in the late summer of 2014. Federation’s office was 3,000 square feet above a sandwich shop in a strip mall. He leaves as president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, now housed in the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center on the Steve Saks Campus.

At the time of his arrival, our annual campaign was approximately $750,000; our 2024 annual campaign closed at over $1,750,000. In addition, since Oct. 8, 2023, our community raised over $1,100,00 for the Israel Emergency Fund!

During Feld’s tenure, more than $13 million was raised to build the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Major donors pledged contributions to be paid over five years. The building was built with the thought that we would have a debt in the form of a mortgage to pay over five to ten years. To reduce our Federation’s debt before his retirement, Feld spoke with our largest donors and, in 18 months from opening our doors, our debt was paid.

Feld came to Naples with a stellar past as the director of the Memphis Federation; executive director of the Jewish Educational Alliance, Jewish Family Services; executive director of the Savannah Jewish Federation in Savannah, GA; program director and, later, executive director of the Passaic-Clifton YM-YWHA; director of Suburban Service Emma Kaufman Camp; assistant director at the Pittsburgh JCC; and director of Children’s & Teens, BBYO, Singles, and Day Camp director at the Nashville JCC. This was all achieved after earning an MSW from the University of Maryland.

Since his arrival in Naples, Feld has transformed our Federation into the envy of the Federation system. We have more than doubled our campaign, WCA and MCA have grown exponentially by his nurturing and mentoring them, along with our own internal programs. Feld helped create a community of excitement, engagement and involvement! We have been so lucky to have him and his lovely wife, Susan, join our community. We are hopeful the Felds remain in Naples long after Jeffrey’s retirement and continue to enjoy the Jewish community he has helped improve and expand.

The front-page feature article of this issue of Federation Star is about our new CEO, Nammie Ichilov, who comes to Naples from San Antonio where he served as the president and CEO. Ichilov and Feld share a common goal of building a strong Jewish community.

During our search for Ichilov, he gave an answer to one question that exemplifies who he is. When asked the three most important things he would stress when he comes to Naples, his answer was “Relationships, relationships, relationships.” Ichilov is a people person.

Ichilov starts Dec. 1, but not with day-to-day responsibilities. He will spend December meeting us, greeting us and listening to us. On Jan. 1, he assumes the title and role of president and CEO, tasked with day-to-day responsibilities.

He will be at Feld’s retirement party, at the Chanukah Menorah lighting, and many other events. Please come greet Nammie Ichilov and let him meet you.