An interview with Building Committee Chair Marc Saperstein

By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

It was my distinct pleasure to interview Marc Saperstein, vice-chair of the JFGN board and chair of the Building Committee, for this Federation Star edition. Below are my questions and his answers.

MDF – Tell us a little about yourself and your family. How long have you been in Naples?

MS – My wife, Joan, and I have been married 50 years this June and we moved to Naples in 2007 when I retired from General Electric after 33 years with the company. We are Florida residents and spend our summers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where we have had a home since 1993. We have a son and a daughter who are each happily married to wonderful spouses, and we have four incredible grandchildren.

Marc Saperstein

MDF – What made you decide to give your time and contributions to JFGN?

MS – I was on the BBYO International Board of Directors about 5 years in 2012 when I decided to try to start a BBYO chapter in Naples along with my local co-chair, Bobbie Katz. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples was incredibly supportive of that effort, helping introduce us to our partners — Temple Shalom, Chabad of Naples and Beth Tikvah — contributing to us financially and providing office space for our BBYO professional. I saw directly how critical JFGN is in supporting our growing Jewish community. At the same time, my wife became involved with WCA, which not only provided great activities for her, but introduced us to many of our current Naples friends. When I was invited to join the Federation Board, I decided to become active in what I saw was a great organization.

MDF – How long have you been a donor/lay leader at JFGN?

MS – We have been donors to this Federation since we moved here (and, like so many snowbirds, still support our northern Federation). But Naples is our primary home now and we have shifted our priorities towards our new home. I joined the Board in 2016, just before JFGN initiated its first significant strategic plan.

MDF – What position do you hold, or have you held, on the board and what has your experience been?

MS – I’ve been board secretary, chair of the Governance Committee and, most recently, one of our vice chairs. Currently, I am leading our effort to build the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

MDF – What made you volunteer to be the chair of the Building Committee?

MS – Our strategic plan in 2017 called for finding a larger home for JFGN and, when no one else volunteered, I felt it was critical we start to make progress in locating property and offered to take on the role. I’m not sure in retrospect, I realized it might lead to overseeing the building effort itself.

MDF – Tell us a bit about your building committee and its members.

MS – The building committee has been meeting every 3 to 4 weeks since January 2019, after we reached an agreement with Temple Shalom to build on its campus. We have 15 dedicated and knowledgeable members of the Building Committee whose role is to give us insight and suggestions on many of the decisions and challenges we face. Merlin Lickhalter is my co-chair and wingman.

MDF – What have been your highs and lows during the construction process?

MS – My highs are when I review our progress with our board, which has been so supportive of what we are trying to accomplish, and when I take donors on a tour of the building, who are so impressed by the progress.

My low was when we faced some significant challenges getting our site plan approved because of water management issues. At one point, I wasn’t sure the project would be able to move forward. But Temple Shalom and Federation leadership worked together to find workable solutions and we are now months away from moving into our new home.

MDF – Can you give us an update on where the project is at this point?

MS – We hope to move into our new building in November or December this year. How hurricane season progresses and whether we can continue to avoid major supply chain issues will be the determining factors.

MDF – In your opinion, how will this building be an asset to the Greater Naples community?

MS – For the Jewish community, we will have helped meet the growing programmatic and space needs of WCA; MCA; the Book Festival; BBYO and our campus partner, Temple Shalom, as well as all the other Jewish organizations in Naples. For the growing Greater Naples community, we can selectively provide space for events, and also be able to host educational sessions which foster mutual under-standing and cooperation well beyond the Jewish-Catholic dialogue we have now. I believe our new building will be one of the top 5 architectural marvels in Greater Naples and a showcase for our community.

MDF – Marc Saperstein has worked tirelessly, putting in countless hours as a lay leader on this project and going above and beyond for all of us. His leadership and determination are one of the reasons why our Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center has progressed so well. He is always available and willing to help whenever and wherever. Thank you, Todah Robah, just doesn’t seem to be enough.