18
Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
January 2024
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
www.wcanaples.org / 518-852-3440
WCA welcome back luncheon, “Let Us Entertain You,” a huge success! By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
T
he Arthrex lobby was abuzz with excitement on Friday, Nov. 10, as 400 women arrived for WCA’s Annual Welcome Back Luncheon. Each year, this highly anticipated event provides the perfect opportunity for women to greet their WCA friends, many of whom they might not have seen since last spring. New WCA members were quickly drawn in and welcomed, something that WCA does so well. In fact, three tables of new members were seated with board members. Serving as the official kickoff to WCA’s upcoming season, this year’s luncheon marked the 16th year of WCA programming. Darlene Muller and Debbie Lurie, the creative and super-organized luncheon chairs, and their talented and dedicated Luncheon Committee — Patti Boochever, Ann Cowen, Toby Kosloff and Robin Mintz — planned a beautiful afternoon. More than 50 volunteers worked with them, ensuring that everything was perfect. Muller commented, “This event would not have been possible without the many volunteers who attended to every conceivable detail with efficiency, panache and flair. But the most important thanks and appreciation go to the 400 women who supported the luncheon.” There were ooohs and ahhhs as women entered the festive hall, which was decorated with brightly colored balloon sculptures, each holding a microphone, hinting at the enjoyable entertainment that was to come. The tables looked spectacular, thanks to the Design and Décor Committee — Jamie Blatter, Charlene Kerner and Dorothy Schwebel. Robin Mintz did an outstanding job of incorporating the luncheon theme into the printed materials — from the invitation to the design of the printed program to the screens in the lobby featuring Jewish female comedians. After WCA President Patti Boochever warmly welcomed everyone, she asked for a moment of silence for our brothers and sisters in Israel, the hostages and the IDF solders. Boochever noted that WCA provides a strong community of women and that, in this troubling time, it is important for us to come together,
2023-24 WCA Board of Directors (top row) Leslie Feldman, Harriet Schweitzer, Louise Forman, Cathy Lone-Dawson, Linda Hyde, Susan Koeppel and Robin Mintz; (middle row) Lea Bendes, Shelly Bell, Linda Simon, Dina Shein, Phyllis Strome and Susan Pittelman; (bottom row) Debbie Lurie, Harriett Kleinman, WCA President Patti Boochever, Darlene Muller, Arlene Sobol, Carol Sherman and Sue Dean (not pictured: Ann Cowen, Hannah Goodman and Elaine Soffer) drawing on our collective strength and finding comfort in each other’s presence. As Jeffrey Feld, CEO and president of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN), stated, “Our being here today is a sign of our solidarity.” JFGN Board Chair Dr. Nat Ritter took the opportunity to thank WCA for creating a feeling of community among women in Greater Naples. Following the Motzi, beautifully led by Lenore Greenstein and Cantor Donna Goldstein, we all enjoyed a delicious lunch. As women ate, they could view a slideshow of WCA events and activities from this past year on large screens at the front of the room. (Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and to Dina Shein for creating the PowerPoint!) After lunch, we were entertained by Chicago comedian Caryn Bark, who had us laughing aloud and nodding our heads in agreement as she spoke. Among her extremely humorous remarks, Bark pointed out the different “levels of driving” for senior citizens (only during the day but not at night, on the street but not on the highway and driving but not making left turns). She also described various “levels” of keeping kosher (at home but not in a restaurant, in only certain parts of the house and keeping kosher in the house but not in the garage).
Following Bark’s very entertaining performance, Sue Dean and Federation Program Director Reneé Bialek called the winning numbers for the 50/50 drawing. Boochever announced that this year the proceeds would go to the Israel Emergency Relief Fund. As a result of everyone’s generosity in purchasing tickets, WCA donated nearly $1,400 to the fund. Luncheon attendees also generously donated four carloads (more than 20 black trash bags!) of personal care items to Baker Senior Center Naples. The collection table
overflowed with donations that the Center will distribute to needy seniors in our community. Volunteers also delivered the colorful balloon sculptures to the Center for their enjoyment. “We received many notes from women expressing how much they enjoyed the luncheon,” said Debbie Lurie. “No sooner did this year’s luncheon end than we started making plans for next year’s luncheon. It is truly an honor as well as a labor of love.”
Susan Pittelman buys tickets for the 50/50 drawing from Debbie Doppelt.
Luncheon Committee members Toby Kosloff, Patti Boochever and Robin Mintz and luncheon Chairs Darlene Muller and Debbie Lurie with comedian Caryn Bark (in yellow) (not pictured: Ann Cowen)
Leslie Springman and Phyllis Strome
