“June is busting out all over”

Jane Schiff, Federation Board Chair

It feels like we have been cooped up for a long time, and indeed we have.

But with vaccinations high among our population, we are now starting to open up slowly — very, very slowly. See Jeffrey Feld’s article for details on how we are opening — or at least the first step towards opening.

And we hope to be opening some indoor activities in the fall. I doubt we will ever go back to in-person gatherings all the time. The virtual world has become a rich place for cultural events and I personally believe a hybrid world of in-person and virtual will emerge.

What that will look like is to be determined. I, for one, have nights when I really don’t want to get dressed up and worry about finding a parking place or driving home after 9 p.m. – I’m getting older and I like being in bed early. Then there are other times when I want to get dressed up and see dear friends in person. The “new normal,” I am sure, will have space for both.

June at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is when allocations are determined by the Board. In Karen Deutsch’s article, you will read about all the agencies we joyfully support and the wonderful work they do. I want to thank the Allocations Committee and its chair, Beth Wolff, and vice-chair, Jay Weiss, for the long hours and diligent deliberations.

And while I am thanking people, I need to give a special thanks to two special people. Joel Pittelman has chaired the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Counsel) twice! The first time was from 2013 to 2016 and for the last year. Under his leadership, the Jewish Day of Learning began, we started marching each year (except during COVID) in the MLK Day parade, and he started the antisemitism task force. Thank you for all you have done to bring Jews into the larger Naples community.

As of June 1, Jeff Zalasky will be the new JCRC chair. Welcome, Jeff.

And a thank you to Luba Rotsztain, who took over as co-chair of Catholic/ Jewish Dialogue in February. The programing this committee does helps us make connections with one of our Christian neighbor communities. I thank her and her committee for the important work they are doing.

Your Federation is growing, indeed. We’re “busting out all over.” We certainly hope to break ground this summer on the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. The saying, “the devil is in the details,” certainly applies to our building efforts. We are closing the details and we couldn’t be more excited. Stay tuned to the weekly e-blast and hopefully the July/August Federation Star for more details.

For those of you who are leaving us for the summer, or who may have already left, have an amazing summer. Hold your friends and family extra close to make up for the lost time last year. And hurry back, we miss you!