Get your program here!

Jeffrey Feld, Federation President/ CEO

“Get 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!