JEWISH FEDERATION
March 2021
Federation Star
3
The annual Jewish Community Day of Learning with evening bonus — a not-to-be-missed event By Jeff Margolis
T
he Greater Naples community is invited to attend the 5th Annual Jewish Community Day and Evening of Learning on Sunday, March 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The theme of this year’s Day of Learning program, which will be presented in a virtual format, is “It’s Chai Time to Visit Jewish Neighbors.” The program is proudly presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), a committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.
Our third presenter was to be professor and author, Dr. Steven ( z ”l ) D e r f l e r, on his selected topic, “The Jews of China.”Sadly, Dr. Derfler passed away unexpectedly Cantor Donna Azu on Jan. 25. His program and expertise will be greatly missed. May his memory be for a blessing.
Speakers and topics
Bonus event
This year’s featured speakers include noted cultural anthropologist, Dr. Ron Duncan Hart, director of the Jewish Learning Channel and former president of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society. Dr. Hart will
speak about Crypto-Jews. He has written extensively about the topic, with his most recent works being, “Crypto-Jews: The Long Journey” and “Jews and the Arab World: Intertwined Legacies.” He is co-author and editor of the awardwinning book, “Fractured Faiths: Spanish Judaism, the Inquisition and New World Identities.” Naples’ own Cantor Donna Azu of Temple Shalom will present a program about the Jews of Persia, drawing on her own personal cultural experiences. Cantor Azu received her Bachelor of Music degree in opera performance and music education from California State University. She earned her master’s degree in sacred music from the Hebrew Union College. Dr. Ron Hart
An added learning bonus this year is the “Evening of Learning,” which will take place on Wednesday evening, March 10 at 7 p.m. The panel discussion, titled “Keeping the Faith and so Much More During the Pandemic,” includes a dynamic panel of guests. Local clergy scheduled to
participate include Rabbi Adam Miller of Temple Shalom, Pastor Lonnie Mills from Macedonia Baptist Church, Reverend Edward Gleason from Trinity-by-theCove Episcopal Church, Reverend Dawson Taylor from Naples United Church of Christ and Fr. Hugh McGuigan from Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Estero. The panel will focus on questions dealing with life-cycle events, and how the clergy has tried to bring comfort and faith during these unprecedented times, when houses of worship are closed due to COVID-19. Participation in this year’s program is free. To register, please access the Federation website, www.jewishnaples.org. The registration link is https://jfgn. regfox.com/day-evening-learning. The program is being presented on the Zoom platform.
chief to speak...continued from page 2 and a master’s degree, Homeland Defense and Security, from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). A prominent member of the community, Chief Bloom has been actively involved with the Leadership Collier
Foundation, where he serves as a board member; Police Futurists International; Kiwanis Club of Naples; and Make-AWish Foundation. The mission of the Leadership Collier Foundation (LCF) is to build a broad-based network of community
leaders who enhance their leadership abilities and skills through continuing education, shared perspectives and community involvement. The goal is working toward solutions in the public interest and seeking to energize a network of local leaders to address public interest issues.
This free program will be presented via Zoom on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. (EST). Registration is necessary to receive the Zoom link. Please visit www.JewishNaples.org.
