Be relevant, do relevantly, get relevancy

Marina Berkovich, JHSSWF President

In March, the “Local Jewish History Film Festival” brought important and impactful stories of local Jewish individuals who helped establish the Jewish presence in Southwest Florida and/ or demonstrated to everyone who cared to learn just how important individual stories are. It is important for each Jewish individual to remember that people may judge the entirety of the Jews based on one individual’s behavior and interactions. It has always been like that. Chances are, it will always be like that.

During the festival, we presented four Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers documentaries, which we produced. The films are about Irving Berzon, Richard Segalman, Murray Hendel and Gene Goodman, who illuminated the way to relevancy and the importance of being connected to a situation or a place.

It is vital to know and understand the history of the region. On average, 1,650 people currently move to Florida daily. This is an increase from 1,000 daily averages over the previous decade. It has been proven that, while escaping the north, migrants bring the same values and ideals to the Sunshine State. It has been noted in Southwest Florida that many immediately apply their northern mode to their new southern environs, without first studying or even observing how, what and why things have been done.

The Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers documentaries are educational for both Jewish and non-Jewish viewers, imparting relevancy and expectations of continuity that the early Jewish Southwest Florida left for successor generations. Our Jewish community, or subculture, as I like to refer to it, plays a significant role, despite its usual proportionate 1% of the general population share.

Jews have built, organized, improved and expanded. Of course, in the process, some of the accomplishments may have been counterproductive as they destroyed or removed things — as progress tends to. But as we see the turnover in population and newcomers are many, we increase our efforts to educate, preserve and promote the contributions by Jews to Southwest Florida.

May films

As we commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), we reeducate the new arrivals and willing to review old-timers with important stories of creation of Lee and Charlotte counties’ Jewish Federation and early Collier County Jewish history. Both programs have no fee and will be at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

On Tuesday, May 2 at 3 p.m., we will present “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers: Helen Weinfeld.” This documentary is about Naples’ very first, initially self-appointed Jewish historian, who documented and preserved much of the early story of Jewish life in Collier County.

On Tuesday, May 9 at 3 p.m., we will share the story of “Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers: The Labodas of Fort Myers.” This film covers the days of Lee and Charlotte counties’ Jewish communities as told by their Jewish Federation cofounder Sheila Laboda and her husband, Dr. Jerry Laboda.

Are you interested in sponsoring this or any other event? Your generosity helps us continue our research and make the next films. No amount is too small, and you may donate online, by mail or contact us at office@jhsswf.org.

You may now purchase Jewish Historical Society of SWFL memberships online or mail us a check. A family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. If mailing a check, please send to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples, FL 34108.

We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwestflorida.org/.

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

EVENTS AT A GLANCE

Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers: Helen Weinfeld Tuesday, May 2 at 3p.m.

Southwest Florida Jewish Pioneers: The Labodas of Fort Myers Tuesday, May 9 at 3p.m.