New and exciting things happening at JYP Naples

By Cayla Schreier, JYP Coordinator

Reflecting on 2024, it was a year filled with numerous fun and meaningful activities. We held a record number of Shabbat dinners, attended fun events, set up a mentorship program with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and even went on a cruise together! I am excited to see what 2025 has in store for Jewish Young Professionals Naples.

Five JYP Naples members attended Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ 3rd Annual Matzah Ball on Saturday, Dec. 7. Members got to celebrate “Back to the Future” and mix and mingle with the local Jewish community.

Seven JYP Naples members went on a 4-day/3-night Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas along with Moishe House Dec. 6-10. A total of 130 JYPs with the Moishe House program were in attendance.

We attended Friday night Shabbat services and met new young Jewish professionals from across the United States on this cruise. Some of us attended shows such as “Mamma Mia” and a diving show called “Oceanaria” at the AquaTheater. We mingled with other JYPs at Royal Caribbean's Island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, and relaxed with new JYP friends while lounging at the beach in Nassau, Bahamas. Overall, everyone had a wonderful time and cannot wait to attend more Camp Nai programs in 2025!

JYP Naples launched its first-ever mentorship program with the help of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Board member Marc Saperstein and JYP Naples member Ruth Segall. JYP Naples members met potential mentors at our kickoff event on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Federation. Mentors led a leadership panel and spoke about leadership, careers and mentoring best practices. We are excited to begin this new program.

We hosted a Chanukah-themed Shabbat along with Chabad of FGCU on Friday, Dec. 20. We enjoyed this delicious meal with some FGCU alumni who were home for the holidays. Thank you to Rabbi Mendel Gordon and Rebetezen Shternie for hosting a delicious meal.

I hosted a second Chanukah-themed party on Friday, Dec. 27. Eighteen young professionals enjoyed a menorah-shaped Challah, played Chanukah bingo and lit the menorah together to celebrate the holiday.

Future events

Details about upcoming events will be distributed via email and the Facebook group chat. Please reach out to Reneé Bialek (rbialek@jewishnaples.org) if you would like to be added to those group communications. We also have a Google form for members to provide feedback and ideas on the type of JYP events they would like to see in the future. I look forward to seeing everyone soon!