JEWISH FEDERATION
July/August 2021
Federation Star
7
Lucky 7 — 2021-22 Jewish Book Festival By Gayle Dorio, 2021-22 Jewish Book Festival Chair
L
ucky 7! That’s right, this year marks the seventh consecutive year for the Jewish Book Festival. As in years past, there will be interesting authors and books. As “People of the Book,” we have a responsibility! This year, the hardworking, dedicated JBF committee has expanded, actually doubling in size, with talented members already hard at work. Nearly 100 books have been read and reviewed, with meetings and recommendations following! Each year, the Jewish Book Council Conference offers approximately 250 authors to Book Festival participants. Authors have just two minutes to present themselves and their books. Four of
us — Jan Goldman, Carol Hirsch, Reneé Bialek and myself — were glued to our Zoom screens for many hours, listening to the authors, rating each and determining the best to invite for our festival. The committee’s book reviews were critically important as we navigated this process. Right now, we are waiting to learn from JBC if the authors and dates we selected are available. Hopefully, the authors will say yes; perhaps they will request an alternative date or decline. We have a list of substitutes, so never fear! As you know, COVID-19 has made the planning process much more complicated. Luckily, a number of authors indicated they are willing to continue to
present via Zoom. Many said they will do both in-person and Zoom. Stay tuned as we hear back. If you like historical fiction, historical nonfiction, memoir, Holocaust and something different and provocative, you will enjoy the selections. We expect the Festival to run from November through March. Of course, all is subject to change, depending on author availability and the pandemic restrictions. In the next Federation Star, you’ll read more about the schedule and we’ll have the date for the preview event. Only with your support and participation, will this year be successful. We know you want to support Jewish Federation
of Greater Naples and all the excellent work done both here in our community and elsewhere! We have kept Platinum Patrons at $500, Silver Patrons at $225 and Bronze Patrons at $118. Please look for the signup registration links when they are ready and choose your level of support! We are excited to enjoy another wonderful year! We hope you are, too! Thank you and “see” you soon — virtually or maybe sometimes in person!
Award-winning project continues to grow By Betty Schwartz, JCRC and SUFJ Committee Member
T
he Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) annual awards, the Stand Up for Justice Educator Grants (SUFJ) and the Human Needs Award, are presented only after each committee has carefully considered all eligible candidates. Once the winners are announced and recognized, they are not thought about as much as they should be. True excellence should have a longer shelf life. This year’s First Place SUFJ educator grant winners, Daniel Shaw and Beth
Barrus of Gulf Coast High School, developed an educational program based on science to lead “A Discussion on Gender & Science.” Genetics and endocrinology research was presented in a relevant and understandable way, which enabled a meaningful discussion of gender diversity for the Gender & Sexuality Alliance. Knowledge is a powerful weapon against bigotry.
The success of this program has led to a planned series of discussions that include topics on gender and psychology, followed by gender and sociology, which was most recently presented. Naples Pride Center won one of the Human Needs Awards and is providing valuable and much needed services and programs to the LGBTQ
community. When told about the program at Gulf Coast High School, Cori Craciun, board leader, was very much interested in offering the program at Naples Pride Center. A true example of synergy. It is so gratifying to see that positive change can be perpetuated if we are open to the possibilities. Every effort to increase understanding and appreciation for diversity is like a pebble dropped in a pond, with the circles continuing to spread.
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