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Naples breakfast for Israel brings community together
More than 200 people gathered to show solidarity and support for Israel
Naples, Nov. 28, 2023 — On the morning of Nov. 28, this year's Giving Tuesday, more than 200 proud Naples community members gathered at the Daniels Pavilion at Artis—Naples to stand in solidarity with Israel and show their support for Jewish National Fund-USA. This year’s annual Breakfast for Israel was sold out in record time, with community members eager to stand with Israel in its time of crisis.
The highly anticipated annual event honored Jeanne and Neil Braverman for their unparalleled commitment to the land and people of Israel as members of Jewish National Fund-USA’s World Chairman’s Council, signifying $1 million lifetime giving. Neil is a member of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Naples Board of Directors. In addition, the Bravermans are recipients of the organization’s prestigious Tree of Life® Award.
Attendees were also moved to hear from Ezagui, a decorated squad commander in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who shared his captivating story about being one of the only soldiers in the world who lost an arm in combat and returned to the battlefield. Now a reservist who rejoined his elite IDF unit in Gaza this past month, Ezagui delivers inspirational talks across the United States and internationally.
In the wake of Oct. 7, when Hamas committed atrocious crimes against humanity in towns and kibbutzes in Israel, the event focused largely on Jewish National Fund-USA’s decades of partnership with those communities and their work in meeting the emergency needs of Israelis during this time. More than 130,000 Israelis in the north and the south have been displaced due to the war, and Jewish National Fund-USA is meeting their needs from housing and meals to education and health care, and so much more, all thanks to the support of its engaged and broad community in Naples and beyond.
Describing the organization’s work, Jewish National Fund-USA Naples Board Co-President, Dr. Norman Isaacs said, “Within 24 hours, Jewish National Fund-USA answered the call… We are fighting for the Israelis who lost everything.”
As the third annual event of its kind, this Breakfast for Israel was hailed as a much-needed show of solidarity and time to come together as the American Jewish community faces rising antisemitism and unprecedented challenges. Naples continues to be a strong pillar of bolstering Jewish National Fund-USA’s mission of serving the land and people of Israel today, tomorrow and always.
To learn more or get involved, please contact Joshua Mellits, director, Western Florida and Orlando, at jmellits@jnf.org or by calling 941-462-1330 x865
