“Hearts and Flowers” — the WCA Welcome Back Luncheon

from Federation Star - January 2023

Going all out with Jewish pride

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, WCA was finally able to host its Welcome Back Luncheon Nov. 9, 2022. More than 350 WCA members eagerly gathered at the new Arthrex One Conference Center for this long-awaited seasonal highlight. The room was abuzz, as women excitedly greeted long-time WCA friends, many of whom they had not seen for more than two years!

Newer WCA members were quickly drawn in and welcomed, something that WCA does so well. In fact, this year, special tables were arranged for new members, each hosted by a member of the Board of Directors.

The theme of this year’s luncheon, “Hearts and Flowers,” was reflected throughout. The entire lobby wall of the Arthrex Center digitally displayed the luncheon logo and various photographs of beautiful blooms in the Naples Botanical Garden. It was an impressive introduction to what was to come!

The table décor, the menu and the speaker’s remarks echoed the theme. At each place setting, there was a miniature succulent plant in a ceramic pot and a colorful handblown glass heart, as gifts for each member to take home. Even the dessert — a chocolate heart filled with raspberry mousse and decorated with edible miniature flowers — carried through the theme. WCA Board member Robin Mintz did an outstanding job incorporating the luncheon’s theme into the printed materials as well.

Serving as the oﬃcial kickoff to WCA’s upcoming season, this year’s Welcome Back Luncheon marked the 15th year of WCA programming. WCA President Patti Boochever began the program with a heartfelt welcome. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ (JFGN) President and CEO Jeffrey Feld and Board Chair Jane Schiff extended their sincere thanks to WCA for building a strong community of women, noting that WCA is the only organization of its kind within a Federation in the United States. Following Hamotzi, which was beautifully led by Lenore Greenstein, we all enjoyed a delicious lunch.

**President Patti Boochever “ringing the bell” to begin the program**

**JFGN Board Chair Jane Schiff talks about the impact WCA has had on her life.**

**Barbara Langer at a New Member table hosted by Membership Chair Harriett Kleinman**

**Jan Goldman and Carol Hirsch accept donations for the Naples Senior Center**

**The luscious dessert exemplified the luncheon’s theme of Hearts and Flowers.**

**Congratulations to Linda Simon and Marsha Moranz on this wonderful luncheon.**

**Guest speaker Donna McGinnis shares information about the Naples Botanical Garden**

**Shelly Bell, who started WCA Young Division, sold tickets for the successful 50/50 drawing.**

**Ida Margolis and Marilyn Davidson welcome women to the luncheon**

Guest speaker Donna McGinnis, president and CEO of the Naples Botanical Garden, gave an engaging presentation about the Garden, its history and its philosophy. She addressed the issue of sustainability and the ecological impact a garden such as Naples Botanical Garden has on our lives. She described several research and collaborative projects the Garden participates in behind the scenes.

McGinnis also highlighted some of the Garden’s special exhibits, including its year-long theme of the Celebration of Plants and Culture of Mexico, and Holiday Lights in the Garden, leaving us all eager to visit and enjoy these exhibits as well as to experience the beauty and the peaceful surroundings.

Women attending the luncheon had been asked to bring personal care items to be donated to the Naples Senior Center. The heartfelt generosity of these women was remarkable! Volunteer Services Manager for the Center, Debbie Lageman, later wrote, “We are thrilled with the generous donation your organization made. … We received nearly 2,000 items. These items will be given to needy seniors in our community. Please know how much this donation is appreciated!”

To help address the overwhelming destruction in Southwest Florida, WCA presented Jeffrey Feld with a donation to JFGN’s Hurricane Ian Relief Fund. WCA also continued its longstanding practice of proudly donating half the proceeds from the luncheon’s 50/50 drawing to Federation’s camp scholarship program.

In accepting the donation, JFGN Community Program Director Reneé Bialek thanked WCA for the impact the donation will have on children’s lives.

This marvelous luncheon was orchestrated by Linda Simon, WCA’s extremely organized and creative director of special events, with the assistance of Marsha Moranz. Working with their talented Luncheon Committee — Ann Cowen, Toby Kosloff, Robin Mintz and Hannah Goodman — and with the help and support of the WCA Board of Directors, they successfully planned a fantastic afternoon. In addition, more than 30 hardworking WCA members volunteered at the event. Our congratulations and sincere appreciation to each of them.

Women who attended the luncheon sent emails full of praise. One WCA member seemed to sum it up in an email she sent to Linda Simon following the luncheon: “You and your team did a magnificent job! The luncheon was wonderful. Everything was so well organized and went so smoothly. Congratulations to everyone. What a terrific accomplishment! I am sure hours and hours of hard work went into this, but it paid off.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Thank you to Linda Simon for her contributions to this article and to Dina Shein and Linda Wertheim for the beautiful photos that captured the excitement of the day.