2B
Federation Star
October 2021
Did you notice our new logo? “Better Together,” what exactly do we mean? by Gayle Dorio, JBF Chair
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here are several meanings actually. When we started planning this, the 7th Jewish Book Festival for Greater Naples, we expected the COVID19 pandemic would be winding down. We hoped that with vaccinations and people following safety guidelines, we would be able to meet a few times in person. We planned nine virtual events and six inperson events with the first in-person event scheduled for the beginning of December. Of course, with live streaming, it is entirely
possible to enjoy the book festival via Zoom. No worries though, we will remain flexible, making changes, if needed. Above all, everyone’s health and well-being are our primary concerns. So, “better together” means we love seeing one another and being together in person. It also means that it is wonderful to have both options — virtual and in person. Why not?! “Better together” also means that when we come together to support our
community, we all benefit. Each year, the book festival has enjoyed growth and support from our patrons, sponsors and you — our community members who attend. Your generosity and commitment to the book festival show what a wonderful community we have. You value the cultural arts, and you enjoy the opportunity to further your education, be entertained and inspired! “Better together” means it takes hardworking, dedicated individuals to plan,
organize and execute a book festival. The Jewish Book Festival Committee members; Reneé Bialek, the amazing program director for Jewish Federation of Greater Naples; and Larry Israelite, guru in all things, have been essential in putting this together. I can’t thank everyone enough! We did this together and we hope you enjoy every author, every book and every event! Thank you!
Answers to your burning questions! Q: How do I register for a book festival event? A: Visit www.Jewish BookFestival.org • You will receive a confirmation email after you register. The Zoom link will be emailed one to two hours prior to each event and is good for your entire household. • Event reservations are not transferable. Please do not forward the Zoom link. • Payments are not tax-deductible. • If a start time or author needs to be changed, you will be notified via email. • If an author cancels, an attempt will be made to reschedule the author; your original reservation will be good for the rescheduled event. • No refunds unless the entire event is canceled. • Books may be purchased at Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops and online at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. If you have any questions, please email Reneé, Program Director, at rbialek@ jewishnaples.org.
Q: Why should one become a Patron of the Jewish Book Festival? A: Many reasons! People tell us their most important reason is knowing that their support is integral to the success of the Jewish Book
Festival. The generosity of our Patrons helps underwrite expenses of our Jewish Book Festival. In addition, money raised helps our Jewish Federation of Greater Naples fulfill its mission of building a vibrant Jewish community in Greater Naples and supporting the social service needs of the Jewish people in our community, in North America, in Israel and around the world. There are three Patron levels: Platinum at $500, Silver at $225 and Bronze at $118. If purchased separately, the cost for the entire festival is $230; you save money at both the Silver and Bronze levels. • Patrons will be acknowledged in the Federation Star as well as on the Jewish Book Festival webpage. • Patrons are preregistered for each event; you simply sign up once. Platinum Patrons receive additional benefits: • One copy of the author book of their choice • Invitations to one virtual and one inperson Patron gathering with book festival authors following their presentations • Preferred seating at in-person events Silver Patrons receive additional benefits: • Invitation to one virtual Patron gathering with book festival author following their presentation • Preferred seating at in-person events
More questions Q: I am not sure if I want to attend in-person events, how should I register? A: It’s best to choose in-person events now, before they fill up. You can always let Reneé know in advance your desire to switch to Zoom. As long as there are seats at the venue, you can switch from Zoom to in-person. Q: What is Zoom and how do I get it? A: Zoom is free to all. Please download the app. Reneé is happy to give you a personal tutorial if you have never used Zoom. Q: I want to buy a book and I want it signed by the author, but I don’t want to attend the in-person event. What do you suggest I do? A: After you purchase the book via the JBF registration link, please email Reneé to let her know that she needs to get the book signed and save it for you until you can personally pick it up from the JFGN office. Q: I know of a professional who has an office in Naples and in Ohio. How can they sponsor an event? A: Please have the potential sponsor contact Reneé. It’s never too late to be a sponsor! Q: I received the Zoom link, but the link says it is not available. What does this mean?
A: The Zoom link will be emailed two hours prior to the start of each event. If you click on it earlier than the start time, Zoom will say “Waiting for host to start the meeting.” If you get any other error message, please email Reneé ASAP! Q: Who should I call if I can’t attend or have any issues with Zoom? A: Please do not call Reneé or the JFGN office. Please email Reneé to let her know you are having issues. If you include your phone number, she will call you if she can’t resolve the problem via email. Q: I am a Patron, and I would like my spouse/friend to sit with me. Can you save me an extra seat? How much is an additional ticket? A: Reserved seating is for Platinum and Silver Patrons. You are more than welcome to sit with your friend/spouse in general seating. Please notify Reneé so that she can release your reserved seat. Additional tickets can be purchased via the JBF website. Q: I am a Platinum and my BFF is a Bronze. Can we sit together? A: Yes, you can sit together! You can both sit in the general section. Please notify Reneé that your reserved seating is being released. If you have additional questions, contact Reneé at rbialek@jewishnaples.org.
Thank You!
Jewish Book Festival Committee We greatly appreciate your support!
Author Review Team: Jan Goldman & Carol Hirsch | Book Review Specialist: Carole Greene Tracy Askotzky, Emily Berkowitz, Patti Boochever, Steve Brazina, Louise Forman, Spencer Forman, Judith Finer Freedman, Sherry Greenfield, Lenore Greenstein, Ronna Hain, Bobbie Katz, Ida Margolis, Jeff Margolis, Robin Mintz, Susan Pittelman, Irene Pomerantz, Estelle Rauch, Gale Schulman, Dina Shein, Iris Shur, Linda Simon, Marc Simon, Elaine Soffer, Phyllis Strome, Steve Yussen
Book Festival Chair: Gayle Dorio | Program Director: Reneé Bialek
