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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
February 2024
Antisemitism in education … An American problem
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 Allen Menkin, MD, Program Coordinator, CAMERA Partnership of Christians and Jews
T
he responses by presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania to questions about antisemitism on their campuses were disgraceful, but they were honest and accurately represented their institution’s policies. Presidents of Duke, Brown, Princeton, Swarthmore, NYU, Rice, Rutgers, Georgetown and scores of other private and state colleges and universities would have given similar answers. Many colleges and universities have become leftist monocultures and government contractors, their endowments bloated by federal funds and tax breaks.
The race-obsessed, progressive DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) mandates that come with them designate Jews as white oppressors who, by definition, can never be victims. They have also taken tens of billions of dollars from vitriolically antisemitic Middle East regimes. As a result, they have succumbed to a doctrine of contempt and become breeding grounds for antisemitism. The educational programs they develop and the teachers they train further spread their poison to K-12 public school systems. Our children and grandchildren are the obvious targets, but as we have discovered,
“we all live on campus.” This is not a “Jewish problem,” it’s an “American problem.” In the words of historian Victor Davis Hansen, “We are witnessing an epidemic of leftist nihilism similar to … the suicidal insanity that Mao Zedong unleashed during his cultural revolution of the 1960s. The old politics of right versus left and Republican opposed to Democrat have now given way to a new existential struggle: Americans must choose between civilization — or its destroyers.” Our institutions of higher education have chosen the latter.
4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 239.263.4205 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers
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
L I O N O F J U DA H 90%
OF WOMEN IN HIGH INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MAKE THE PHILANTHROPIC DECISIONS
WHO WE ARE
We are the most dynamic philanthropic Jewish women in the world. We are a part of an international sisterhood of thousands of global activists who care deeply about the Jewish future. The Lion of Judah is a symbol of today’s Jewish woman’s strength, her care about the Jewish world and her financial commitment to the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ Annual Community Campaign and its mission.
OF GREATER NAPLES
THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY.
THE PIN
Each woman who wears her Lion of Judah pin is uniquely connected to all other Lions, all of whom embody the true meaning of tzedakah. These women are empowered to take the dream of Tikkun Olam and turn it into a reality.
WHAT WE DO
Lions of Judah play a vital role in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity. Our impact can be seen through contribution of our time and resources. Each woman makes an annual donation to their Federation that reflects her capacity to give. In our community, the threshold annual commitment is $5,000. Some Lions also choose to endow their gift to benefit future generations. The Lions of Judah set an exemplary standard of leadership and giving.
18,000
WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD ARE PROUD LIONS OF JUDAH, DONATING AT LEAST $5,000 TO FEDERATION EVERY YEAR.
If you would like more information on becoming a Lion of Judah in the Greater Naples area, feel free to contact Lion of Judah Co-chairs Estelle Price or Gail Smith or call, Alicia Feldman, Development Director, at 239-449-8266.
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
