The ups and downs of our 2024 season

By Rosalee Bogo, 2024 Annual Community Campaign Chair

In preparation to write this article, I looked back and reread the articles I prepared for the Federation Star at the beginning of season. In September, I assumed the role of the 2024 Annual Campaign Chair. We were excitedly kicking off the campaign, had a newly assembled campaign cabinet and were busy planning exciting programs for the upcoming season. On the heels of our most successful accomplishment of raising $1,630,000 the previous year, a lofty goal of $1,750,000 was set.

As I write this article, we are just 5% shy of making our goal of $1,750,000. If we achieve this goal, it will be a historic campaign for our community. Our efforts will allow us to fulfill allocations goals and fully support partner organizations. There is still time to make your gift before the campaign ends on June 30. Feel free to call Development Director Alicia Feldman at 239-449-8266 if you would like to help push us over the finish line.

I don’t need to remind you, at the time we were kicking off the campaign, Israel suffered the Massacre of Oct. 7. Our generous community banded together and raised over a million dollars for The Emergency Relief Fund. Ultimately, this did affect our campaign as some donors cut their usual gift, but others, understanding the importance of what we do for the needs of our core community, raised theirs. For the past nine months, I have explained in every article where the money we raise is applied, and how important it is for what we do in our community, in over 69 countries and in Israel. I continued to use the slogan, “Now more than ever, no gift touches more lives.” I stand by that statement; every Jew, in some way, is touched by the gift you give to your Federation.

Members of our Lions of Judah and our Pomegranates have grown to amazing numbers. Our Women of Philanthropy are being educated through the programs that have been planned for them as well as through the leadership of our Pomegranate Chair, Debra Antzis, and Lion of Judah Co-chairs, Gail Smith and Estelle Price. Both groups have done service projects for our Naples Community, and we have watched friendships develop as these women enjoy being brought together. From the Lion of Judah group of 105, 10 women have endowed their gifts, ensuring that the good work they do will continue after they are gone.

Paula Filler, who received the Community Campaign Award, will be working to increase our endowment efforts next season throughout our entire community.

We had an outstanding response to our Passover appeal. It was sent to anyone who did not have an opportunity to give to the campaign and to those who have given in hopes they might want to participate in this special effort. Many in our community did just that. As we gathered for seders with family and friends, we were hopeful that the funds we raised helped those less fortunate celebrate this joyous holiday of freedom from oppression.

For the past month, and it will continue for the next few months, we are preparing and making plans for the upcoming 2025 season. Alicia Feldman, our development director, has booked top speakers from JFNA for many of our programs. Our community will come together in October to memorialize the Oct. 7 Massacre as well. Throughout the summer, preparations will be ongoing for the 2025 Annual Community Campaign; keep an eye out for the kickoff in early December. Many events will start in January, and if you thought the past season was busy, you have quite a year ahead. You will hear more about our Silver Circle Society through which we will honor anyone who has given to a Federation for the past 25 years.

On a sad note, our President/CEO, who has brought us to the top of the mountain in the past 10 years, is retiring. Whoever follows Jeffrey Feld will find an amazing community in which to work, and we will support him or her as we have supported Jeffrey. The various Boards of Directors and their Leadership Chairs have also helped to grow and lead our community. With Feld and a hardworking staff, they have all worked together and made a powerful team.

Thank you for your support of our Greater Naples Jewish Federation. Have a safe and enjoyable time away, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another outstanding season.

And remember, it’s not too late to support the 2024 Annual Community Campaign. Scan the QR code adjacent to this article, mail a check to the building or log into our website at Jewishnaples. org, and click on the “donate” button.