WCA NextGen

The Future of WCA

By Shelly Bell, WCA Board Member and founder of WCA Younger Division

Under twinkling lights, 18 women catch up and get to know one another on the patio of Salsa Brava as they eat authentic Mexican cuisine and sip beverages from colorful glasses. It’s loud at times, requiring everyone to raise her voice to be heard over the dozens of conversations going on around them. Several of the women apologize to diners seated nearby, but the laughter and smiles are infectious. The other diners don’t mind.

Two hours pass in the blink of an eye. Plans are made to meet up for bowling, bingo and art shows with newfound friends. Some women hug before strolling off into night. These member dinners, held monthly during season, are WCA NextGen’s most popular events. Joan Meltzer, the liaison responsible for organizing the dinners, describes the members as “an amazing group of fun and accomplished women.”

WCA NextGen, previously referred to as the Younger Division, is a new division of Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA), which was formed in the summer of 2021. Geared to younger women, NextGen offers evening and Sunday programming for working women and those who have children at home.

Crafts group learns the art of raku at the Center of the Arts in Bonita Springs.

In the 18 months since its creation, the division has taken on a life of its own. Surprisingly, half of NextGen’s membership is comprised of women who live in Southwest Florida only part time. Because events are created and led by members, NextGen expanded its offerings to include daytime programming, with interest groups for activities such as canasta, mahjongg, golf, tennis and pickleball. In addition to monthly member dinners, couples’ dinners and crafts group, more evening groups are being added this winter, including a second mahjongg interest group and a “sip and read” book club. We’re also offering “girls’ night out” events.

While we offer a variety of activities, it’s the newfound friendships that keep

our members returning week after week. With a few exceptions, most members don’t know anyone else when they join. It’s difficult for those who live in Southwest Florida part time to meet other Jewish women, especially for those who don’t belong to a local synagogue. WCA NextGen has changed that.

Playing mahjongg is a great way to get to know other women.

Part-time Naples resident, Susan Dorfman-Gallagher, explained that she joined “to find the missing elements that would help make Naples feel like her home. Th e women I have met through WCA have been my missing puzzle pieces! Smart, interesting and fun Jewish women creating beautiful friendships. Because of WCA, I know I belong here!”

Those who live full time in Southwest Florida agree. A couple of our members have lived in Naples for 30 years! Even the members with an existing network of friends in Florida still enjoy our programs.

Tammy Greenberg Katz credits WCA as a “great way to meet terrific Jewish women in the community.”

As an introvert, I know that making friends can be overwhelming but WCA makes it easy for people like me. Th e WCA interest group events remind me of the playdates my mom used to organize for me as a kid when all I had to do was show up and have fun. Before creating the WCA Younger Division, I didn’t have many Jewish friends here in Naples. Now, only a year-and-a-half later, “I have found my people.”

NextGen members have fun at one of the popular monthly member dinners.

But, you don’t have to be new to the community or an introvert to benefit from WCA NextGen. Simply join WCA by going to the WCA website, wcanaples.org. After joining WCA, log into the website, go to “Group Liaisons and Descriptions” (under the “Groups” heading on the top menu bar) and email me, Shelly Bell, to join NextGen and get on our email list. While you are on the website, check out all the other WCA offerings! Members of NextGen are welcome to register to attend any WCA activities.

“The NextGen members are the future of WCA,” said WCA President Patti Boochever. “They will be the next generation of leadership.”

It seems that NextGen members envision that as well. When asked why she joined, Lori Kleiman of Bonita Springs summed it up perfectly, “I joined to find a Jewish community, and what I found was amazing vibrant women who will be lifelong friends.”