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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
January 2024
Yes, we still plan on going to Israel and Dubai
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 Jane Schiff
S
ince Oct. 7, 2023, we have all been watching the tragic events in Israel unfold. I have heard over and over again from so many people, “I know I can send money to help with the plethora of needs now and ongoing in Israel, but what else can I do?” Israel’s economy since before the founding of the state of Israel has been linked directly to tourism. My parents went there on their honeymoon in 1938! All that came to a screeching halt on Oct. 7, 2023. There is no way to know when the war will end but when it does, tourism will creep back slowly. What can you do to help Israel? Plan to go on our mission
in November. We have no way of knowing if it will actually happen, but if we plan for it and things are quiet, we will be doing a mitzvah by being there and showing our support. We planned an itinerary before Oct. 7, so we may change it to include discussions and visitations to sites that were affected by the events of this war. But, whenever we plan a trip to Israel, we leave the schedule somewhat flexible so that we can see and react to conditions on the ground. And this trip, in particular, will give us a chance to thank our Abraham Accord friends for their support during this difficult period.
So, whether you have been to Israel often, like me, or have never been to Israel, this is an opportunity to show your support and love for Israel by showing up! We will have two informational meetings — one on Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. and one on March 14 at 7 p.m. — both at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, to give information and answer questions. The trip is being chaired by me and Nat Ritter, with Jeffrey Feld as our staff person. Please come to one of these meetings and ask all your questions.
Welcome guests to our new center with a brick paver By Eduardo Avila, Campaign Associate
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ould you like to add your name to a brick paver as a welcome to guests visiting our new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center? Contact me at eavila@jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205. BRICK PAVER ORDER FORM Donor Information Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ State _________________ Zip Code __________________________ Email __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Donation Amount (S) ______________________________________________________________________________________ Make your check payable to JFGN and send it, with this completed form, to: JFGN, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119. Indicate how you want your engraved brick to read, using the grid below for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. Each row counts as one line of text, only use the amount of lines specified below for your brick. 12” x 12” Engraved Brick - room for 8 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($1,800) 8” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 6 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($720) 4” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($360)
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
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
