Dr. Nathaniel Ritter elected board chair at annual meeting

Jeffrey Feld Federation President/ CEO

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples held its annual meeting on Monday, April 10, 2023. Board Chair Jane Schiff called the meeting to order in the Schiff Hall of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at 7 p.m. and Rabbi Mendel Gordon of FGCU Chabad gave a D’Var Torah about the importance of an individual and being a part of a growing community.

In giving the financial report, JFGN Treasurer Elliot Lerner indicated that Federation is in a good fiscal situation. Marc Saperstein, chair of our building project, reported that the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center is just about complete; however, a few “punch list” items are yet to be finished. Most significantly, Saperstein indicated that the project will come in within the board-approved budget of $11,400,000 and expressed his appreciation to many people who made this project come to fruition.

Jane Schiff took the opportunity to make comments about her tenure as Federation board chair, having served as chair from April 2017 through the April 2023 annual meeting date. Schiff thanked a multitude of people for the privilege of serving in that capacity.

Alvin Becker, immediate past board chair and nominating committee chairperson, first thanked the members of the nominating committee: Amanda Dorio, cochair; Larry Israelite; Robin Mintz; Nat Ritter; Marc Saperstein; Jane Schiff; and CEO Jeffrey Feld. Becker reported that a number of board members will complete their two-year term in 2024, including Paula Filler, Cheryl Ginsburg, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Elliot Lerner, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Nat Ritter, Michael Rubinstein, Marc Saperstein and Jeff Zalasky.

Becker then identified the slate of board members being nominated for a two-year term to be completed in 2025 as follows: Frank Baum, Alvin Becker, Myra Benedikt, Rosalee Bogo, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Steve Iser, Jane Schiff, Arlene Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss and Beth Wolff.

A motion was made and seconded to elect the slate of board members as recommended by the nominating committee. Those present voted in favor of the motion. Those favorable votes were added to more than 400 proxies submitted to the Federation in favor of the slate.

Next, the newly installed board of directors would elect the officers. Becker read the slate of officers as recommended by the nominating committee, which was as follows:

Board Chair – Dr. Nathaniel Ritter

Vice Chairs – Marc Saperstein, Arlene Sobol and Beth Wolff

Secretary – Rosalee Bogo

Treasurer – Steve Strome

Immediate Past Chair – Jane Schiff

Becker then made a motion to elect the slate of officers presented. There was a second to the motion, which was passed by the board members present along with proxies from those unable to attend.

Dr. Nathaniel Ritter expressed his appreciation for being elected board chair. Ritter called on Schiff to come to the podium, where she was presented with several presents of appreciation for having served six years as board chair.

Following other comments, the meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.

Credit: Nate Lane Photography