From our donors

Capital Campaign spotlight, part two of two

By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

Mea Culpa! In last month’s article, we misspelled Arlene & Michael Sobol’s last name. We deeply regret the mistake.

This month, we asked some lead donors, who purchased naming opportunities for our new building, “Why did you donate and what does the new building mean to you?” Below are their answers.

Shelley & Steve Einhorn

We wanted to be supportive of the Jewish community in Naples to help ensure that the area has a vibrant and active Jewish presence. It is also very important to us that the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples serves the broad population of Naples in many important ways. Our interest in helping fund the new building comes from our belief that this building can be a center for important functions and gatherings that can nourish and sustain our community.

Bebe & Stephen Saks

We left Miami a couple of years ago to be closer to our children and grandchildren, happily relocating to Naples. We were both looking to make some new Jewish connections in the area and discovered the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. We were impressed with the programs offered and the diverse clubs and social activities for the growing local Jewish community.

Judaism is a crucial part of our roots, defining who we are and the importance of preserving our future heritage. We wanted to share our good fortune, from many years of hard work, with an organization that we can identify with and be proud to be a part of for future generations to enjoy. The overlapping of Jewish organizations in the Naples area signifies the strength, bond and unity of Judaism. We are honored to support the amazing, dedicated people associated with the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Joan & Marc Saperstein

When we retired to Naples 13 years ago, we experienced the welcoming and growing Jewish community that was available through the Jewish Federation. We met special friends through MCA and WCA, and quickly became immersed in many Federation-supported activities. We also saw the positive impact this Federation has, both locally and overseas.

When the idea of a new Federation building came up to support the growing needs of MCA, WCA, the Jewish Book Festival and BBYO, we were all in, giving our financial support in addition to Marc volunteering to lead the new building project through rezoning and construction.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples deserves to have a facility large enough to meet its needs today, as well as in the future. We are excited to see our community coming together to make the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center a reality.

Jane Schiff

Moving to Naples was a leap of faith for my husband and me. We knew one couple, but knew they would only be once- or twice-ayear out-to-dinner friends. How would we meet people? How would we get involved? I was serving on the Executive Committee of a national organization, Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), (the umbrella organization for Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)) and used my contacts to reach out to David Willens, then CEO of the Jewish Federation of Collier County, even though we were moving to Bonita Springs.

My husband and I met with David in our current Federation office. I must say I was unimpressed with the office. But his narrative of the community got me involved. I worked hard to be involved as I have a long and rich association with other Federations in the country.

I hope to help create a beautiful entryway to newcomers, established residents and the entire Jewish and non-Jewish community that says that we, as a Jewish community, want your involvement, and here is where you belong. The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center will be that entryway and it is my joy to be able to facilitate its creation.

Naming opportunities

We have naming opportunities starting at $5,000 and all pledges can be paid over five years. For more information on how you can make a pledge to the Capital Campaign and to receive a complete list of naming opportunities, contact me, Marcy Friedland, at mfriedland@jewishnaples. org or 239-263-4205.