JEWISH FEDERATION
Federation Star
October 2020
7
2021 Annual Community Campaign news Karen Deutsch Campaign Chair
O
ur 2021 Annual Community Campaign, Tomorrow Begins Today, officially started on July 1, 2020. Your generous gifts to the Annual Community Campaign support beneficiaries and programs in our local community, nationally, around the world and in Israel. The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the need to help the most vulnerable of our society navigate through this crisis safely. It has not stopped hunger or food insecurity, isolation or loneliness, lack of personal protective equipment, or a desire to seek continued access to Jewish activities and programming. There is no better time than today to be part of something larger than yourself, stay connected to your Federation and your community, even if you cannot leave your home, and continue to provide essential services and programs for a better tomorrow.
Tomorrow begins today You can stay connected, assist and transform lives during this pandemic
to help others have a better tomorrow. Paula Filler, a Federation Board member enlisted family, friends and neighbors to donate funds to purchase mask-making materials. Filler was able to identify some of the neediest in the Greater Naples community—their target was to serve those who could not afford to purchase washable face masks. Filler and her team of “Mask Mavens on a Mission,” including many wonderful women from the WCA of Greater Naples, donated time, materials and skills, delivering close to 100 face masks for Holocaust survivors and other foodinsecure and frail elderly supported by the Naples Senior Center at JFCS; 150 masks to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children; and 500 masks to the local beneficiary and nonprofit organization, SURGE, which delivers food on a weekly basis to the needy.
Tomorrow begins today You can make an impact on the future of children and adults in Israel through Leket Israel. The largest food bank in Israel, this organization feeds over 200,000 people weekly by “rescuing” fresh or slightly bruised fresh produce and prepared meals from farmers, packing houses, restaurants and caterers to alleviate food insecurity throughout Israel.
Get your program here! Jeffrey Feld Federation President/ CEO
“G
et your program here” is a phrase I used to hear when I would go into various sporting events. As you enter a ballpark, football stadium or hockey or basketball arena, you would be met by somebody willing to provide you a program, so you could know all of the players and other pertinent information. When you go to a cultural event, you are provided with a program—again, to give you all the pertinent information regarding your upcoming experience. When I say, get your program here, I mean it a little bit differently. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and all of its program arms, have been providing a multitude of programs for you. Every Thursday, I see the e-blasts from the MCA and the WCA. Each provides its members with a variety of programs to keep them occupied. In addition, each Monday, the JFGN e-blast also lists programs to keep you engaged. It is certainly a challenge, under the present COVID-19 pandemic circumstance, to be fully engaged. After all, there are no in-person meetings or programs— we’re doing everything in a “virtual” setting. Even so, there are informal educational lectures, book discussion groups,
art classes, cooking classes, virtual tours of cities and countries, tastings and more. These past six months have been difficult, no doubt. But we have learned something about our community. Members of our community have participated in greater numbers over these past several months, than ever before. Some of our community members are currently, physically not actually in the Greater Naples area, but they are participating in the programs being provided from here. We are providing a way to keep everyone connected—in a virtual way. Please note, there are more programs coming your way. In this issue of the Federation Star, you will see information about our upcoming Jewish Book Festival, which has become an iconic program/ event for our community. We look forward to you enjoying this program and all the other programs. What I am telling you is that because of MCA, WCA, Israel Advocacy Committee (IAC), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Young Jewish Professionals, Mix & Mingle, Jewish Book Festival, Campaign Programs, etc., you can get your programs here! We thank everyone involved in bringing you these programs. And we thank you for choosing to participate in them. We look forward to the time when we can once again be in person to enjoy each other’s company and the programs—together. Remember, you can get your program here at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples!
Tomorrow begins today
Tomorrow begins today
You can make a difference when you donate to our 2021 Annual Community Campaign. We offer grants to our community synagogues as well as provide scholarships for Sunday school, summer camps and the Israel experience for teens. We support our local BBYO program for engaging teens in Jewish immersive experiences, and Hillel on our college campuses. We support The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center to educate and eradicate hate and bigotry. And, we support mental health services, social services and Holocaust survivor services provided by the Naples Senior Center at JFCS. Your donations support funding for the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Jewish Film Festival and Cultural Series, Naples Film Festival and Celebrate Israel. We continue to support our fabulous Jewish Book Festival, JCRC, the IAC committee, Jewish-Catholic Dialogue series and so much more!
You need to join us for our 2021 Annual Community Campaign virtual kickoff event, open to the entire community on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. See our the Save the Date and watch for your special evite coming soon to your email in-box! Our guest speaker will be Mark Leven, former CEO of the Georgia Aquarium, who will share his involvement in Birthright and his pledge to sustain Jewish values for future generations by making a better tomorrow today for all Jewish people, wherever they may be, through the ultimate gift of giving. We will also be inspired by the music of Rick Recht and hear from beneficiaries and members of our community. We are here, built for this moment to be together and collectively take care of those in need in this community, around the world and in Israel… please, donate today to the 2021 Annual Community Campaign.
TOMORROW BEGINS TODAY the DATE SAVE December 1 , 7pm-8:15pm st
2021 Annual Community Campaign Virtual Kickoff Event
Open to the entire Jewish Community. Invite your friends and family and learn how your gift touches so many lives.
Guest Speaker
Mike Leven
co-founder Jewish Future Pledge musical entertainment by
Rick Recht
Your donations to the Annual Community Campaign are vital to the success of our mission; to enhance and enrich the quality of Jewish life by recognizing and supporting the charitable, educational, humanitarian and social service needs of the Jewish community locally, nationally, overseas and in the State of Israel.
DONATE TODAY TO THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN visit www.jewishnaples.org
NO GIFT TOUCHES MORE LIVES For more information contact Jeffrey Feld, Federation President/CEO: jfeld@jewishnaples.org
OF GREATER NAPLES
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY HELP MAKE THE FEDERATION STAR POSSIBLE To advertise, contact Joy Walker at 941.284.0520 or walkerjoy62@yahoo.com.
