Pomegranate Society successfully forges through pandemic!

By Betty Schwartz, Pomegranate Chair and Susan Pittelman, Vice-Chair

With “season” having come to an end, many members of the Pomegranate Society have returned to their homes up north, after a year that was like no other.

This past year was certainly a challenge for each of us individually, as well as for our entire community. It takes a steadfast commitment to keep our Federation and its many partners and beneficiaries strong and growing. Despite the difficulties faced this past year, Pomegranates, along with Lions of Judah, were there when our community most needed them.

As a result, great things were achieved, even during what was the most difficult of times. This year, our 2021 Annual Campaign raised a record $1,489,756, with approximately 39% of the campaign dollars from the women in our community.

We are most appreciative of the Pomegranates’ ongoing commitment to our Federation’s mission of both building a strong Jewish community in Greater Naples and supporting the needs of our Jewish brothers and sisters locally, in Israel and in countries throughout the world.

The powerful effects of their collective giving this past year has had an indelible impact on our Federation and its beneficiaries. We all feel that our philanthropy not only improves the lives of others, but also enriches our own lives.

While it was not safe for Poms to come together physically, we did connect virtually. Last summer, Lions and Poms took a private virtual tour of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” was the first museum exhibition to focus solely on RBG. It was a very powerful experience and one that made us appreciate this iconic woman even more.

Another highlight this past year was the virtual program with author Pamela Nadell. For the last two years, Lions and Poms have enjoyed an exclusive reception with an author from the Jewish Book Festival. Being the determined women that we are, even the pandemic was not going to prevent us from having a similar event in March this year.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg (z”l)

The theme was “A Celebration of Women’s Philanthropy” and the featured speaker was award-winning professor, historian and author Pamela Nadell, whose book, “America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today,” won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award.

Professor Nadell introduced us to women who, were they with us today, would surely wear the pins of the Lion of Judah or Pomegranate societies proudly. The twin threads binding together all the women she highlighted are a strong sense of self and a resolute commitment to making the world a better place.

In addition to the tour of the RBG exhibit and the special author reception, Pomegranates met informally through Zoom – just to stay connected with each other. Pomegranates received an online survey, another first for us, asking for their opinions about activities and projects regarding the focus of the Pomegranate Society for next year. The responses helped us understand the interests and priorities of our Poms.

During a Zoom gathering, Poms were encouraged to share ideas and ask questions, and some of us just felt the need to talk with other women! One Pomegranate call focused on social service projects we are considering for the coming year, and we hope to begin planning one or more projects soon.

To further build the feeling of community among Poms, we created a Pomegranate Society directory to help members stay in touch on a more personal level.

During the past month or two, many of us have been able to begin to enjoy “the new normal.” We can once again connect with family and friends, as we bask in the light at the end of what had seemed to be an endless tunnel. Planning is underway to create opportunities for Poms to gather again in person as we work together, striving to carry on the fundamental Jewish tradition of tzedakah.

Lions and Pomegranates are the heart and soul of our Annual Community Campaign, and they inspire others to translate their Jewish commitment into giving that makes a difference. As the 2022 campaign gets underway, we hope you will join us in being one of these women. To become a Lion of Judah, a woman makes a minimum annual commitment of $5,000 to our Federation’s Annual Campaign; to become a member of the Pomegranate Society, the minimum gift is $1,800. For more information on either society, please contact Kirk Wisemayer, annual community campaign director, at 239-263-4205 or kwisemayer@jewishnaples.org.