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Now is the perfect time to become a member of the Pomegranate Society!
By Betty Schwartz and Susan Pittelman, Pomegranate Society
A little more than three years ago, the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) held the inaugural event of the Pomegranate Society, a valuable addition to our Women’s Division. The Pomegranate Society is a philanthropic group of strong, dedicated Jewish women, who share a commitment to playing a vital role in supporting those in need as well as in building a strong and vibrant Jewish community. The Pomegranate Society represents the best of what Federation does, bringing together like-minded women who recognize the importance of giving back.
Our Pomegranate Society, which currently has 38 members, has participated in special programs and events, enjoying the camaraderie of being in the company of other dynamic and philanthropic women. This past spring, the “Poms” engaged in a successful service project in cooperation with the Naples Senior Center, providing women with personal care items that were not eligible for purchase through food stamps.
We also joined with the Lions of Judah for brunch with author Elizabeth Weitzman, who challenged us with the stories of women who succeeded against all odds in changing the movie industry, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
In July, the Poms and Lions participated in a virtual tour of the Ruth Bader Ginsberg exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Because we took that tour, we all felt as if we really knew RBG. We were deeply saddened by her passing and grateful that we had the privilege of “celebrating” the life of Justice Ginsberg together, while she was still alive.
As the Pomegranates plan for this coming season, we will continue our hands-on involvement in service projects that address needs in our community. We will also plan events that allow us to come together — virtually as well as in person, when it is safe to do so. Being part of the Pomegranate Society creates a special bond, as we work together to help meet the needs of our community.
At the 2021 Annual Community Campaign kickoff in December, we heard about the growing needs of the Jewish people, not only in our own community, but in Israel and throughout the world. With your gift to the Annual Campaign,
you help feed the hungry, care for our elders, assist our children in developing a strong Jewish identity, support the Israeli people and stand up against hate. This year especially, you have come to the aid of individuals and families struggling with the effects of the pandemic as well as the Jewish institutions they depend on. Without the funds provided by our Federation, these needs would go unmet.
The Federation’s philanthropy touches more lives than any other organization, and women play a powerful role in making that happen. The Pomegranate Society, as part of the Women’s Division, makes a significant contribution to the Annual Campaign, helping to fulfill the Jewish obligation of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.
The theme of the 2021 Annual Campaign is Tomorrow Begins Today. Right now, today, is the perfect time for you to join the Pomegranate Society. It is a meaningful way for you to strengthen your connection to our Jewish community. To become a member, a woman needs to make an annual minimum gift of an $1,800 donation in her own name to the Annual Campaign. In return, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have contributed to making a better world and ensuring Jewish continuity.
As a member of the Pomegranate Society, you will have the opportunity to wear the beautiful sterling silver pin/pendant, and add a ruby each year, to signify your personal commitment to actively helping our Federation support and sustain our community and ensure the future of the Jewish people.
Please join us. Become a member of this special group of women who make a difference in Jewish lives every day. For additional information about the Pomegranate Society, please contact Betty Schwartz at bettyofnaples@gmail.com, Susan Pittelman at spittelman@icloud.com or Jeffrey Feld at jfeld@JewishNaples.org.
