12
Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
June 2022
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
www.wcanaples.org / 518.852.3440
WCA continues to expand its ever-evolving community of friendship By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
W
e need friends to give our Harriett Kleinman, WCA’s Memberlives meaning, to enrich us, ship Director, told me, “While visiting and to keep ourselves alive. my daughter in Milwaukee, I always ~ Rabbi Susan Nanus go to Zumba classes at the JCC. After Last month’s Federation Star WCA returning to Naples, I was in line at Pubarticle featured stories about serendipilix and thought that the woman behind tous ways women “discovered” long-time me looked familiar. I immediately said, friends through WCA. After reading these ‘Milwaukee—Zumba!’ This was the stories, more women shared unusual expebeginning of my friendship with Hanriences of connecting (or reconnecting!) nah Goodman. (She had already joined with women, attributing them to their WCA.) Being Volunteer Coordinator at involvement with WCA. the time and learning about Hannah’s WCA Advisor Barbara Suden credits database and computer experience, I her passion for WCA with reconnecting asked her to join WCA’s technology with a special friend. She explains, “Sevteam. She agreed. Hannah’s assistance in eral years ago, my husband and I were WCA’s transition to our new memberon a river cruise and made friends with ship management system continues to be a wonderful couple. When we told them invaluable — and so is our friendship.” we lived in Naples, they told us that they Phyllis Strome shares, “As WCA’s were thinking of moving to Southwest Couples Group Coordinator, I receive Florida. My husband said, ‘Why don’t numerous emails from women who want you consider Naples?’ I immediately told to sign up for the group. One request Sharon Russell and Barbara Suden the wife, ‘If you come to Naples, you must came in with a comment that her mother’s are grateful to WCA for reuniting them. join WCA.’ I told her about WCA and all it has to offer. “The next morning, I gave her a piece of paper on which I had written ‘Women’s Cultural Alliance’ and our names and phone number. When she saw it, she looked at me and said, ‘I know you.’ I replied, ‘What do you mean, you know me?’ I was really surprised! It turned out that her Phyllis Strome with new-found cousin Linda DuKatz Ann Cowen (right) with college roommate Suellen Weiner ex-husband and my husband were in the same dental school class, and she and I maiden name was Strome. That was it or whatever — had spent two weeks together in Texas — nothing else. I was not going to let it really doesn’t while our husbands went through basic this one go. matter. Larry and training. That had to be 50 years ago. No “After several emails, I discovered that Linda have a son wonder we didn’t recognize each other! Linda and Larry DuKatz lived in Maswho lives in Ann “They did move to Naples and, yes, sachusetts, which is where my husband, Arbor, Michigan, she did join WCA. Sharon Russell and Steve, is from. There is a much longer which is only 40 her husband have become dear friends. I story but, in brief, Linda DuKatz’ grandminutes away often wonder if we would have developed father and Steve’s grandfather were brothfrom our home this special friendship if it weren’t for my ers. Linda and Steve are cousins, although up north. It sure love of WCA.” I am not sure if it is second, once removed is a small world!” WCA Board Me m b e r A n n Cowen told me that she reconHarriett Kleinman and Hannah Goodman nected with Suellen Weiner, her college roommate with them.” The branches were formed from 50+ years ago, who now lives in to enable women to continue friendships Bonita Springs and is a WCA member! that began in Naples when they return Ann says, “We met for lunch and the home for the summer. Information about years just melted away. I would never Summer Branches – including how to have connected with her if not for WCA!” join one – is on our website at wcanaples. in WCA’s Community of Friendship (Suellen is the volunteer who sets up the org. Just look under “Groups.” foursomes for WCA’s social 9-hole golf.) Those of us who are full-time residents If you are not already a member, JOIN today. When you read this article, many of Southwest Florida will continue to If you are a member, RENEW your dues now. WCA members will have returned north enjoy our friends as well as make new ones for the summer. Not only will they reconthrough WCA events. Little did any of us Visit WCAnaples.org and click on MEMBERSHiP. nect with friends up north, but women realize the wisdom of the adage most of Your membership will be good through August 2023 who live in one of the nine areas in North us learned when we were young: “Make America that has a WCA Summer Branch new friends but keep the old. One is silver QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Director Harriett Kleinman will also be able to “take WCA home and the other’s gold.” at hmkleinman@gmail.com
“Find YOUR Groove”
