Israel Advocacy Committee programs

from Federation Star - October 2022

Become a Patron of the Jewish Book Festival!

By Jeff Margolis, IAC member

The following programs will be offered by the Israel Advocacy Committee this season:

Israel elections update from journalist Herb Keinon

Noted Jerusalem Post journalist Herb Keinon will discuss the political climate in Israel and the upcoming national elections on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. via a Zoom presentation.

This will be Keinon’s fourth presentation to the Naples audience. He has always been engaging and presents a cogent picture of Israel politics. These upcoming elections will have implications for not only the nation of Israel itself but also in its relationship with the U.S. and the Biden administration.

Keinon has lectured widely in Israel, the United States and Europe. This free event is sponsored by the Israel Advocacy Committee of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Registration is required.

Vanished Jewish communities of the Arab world

On Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m., the Israel Advocacy Committee is pleased to present author and lecturer Lyn Julius via Zoom from London. Julius, a journalist and co-founder of HARIF, an association of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa in the United Kingdom, will speak to us about her book, “Uprooted: How 3,000 years of Jewish Civilisation in the Arab World Vanished Overnight.”

In recent years, there has been an upsurge of interest as to what happened to those large and robust Sephardic and Mizrachi civilizations living in Sudan, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, etc. This program is moderated by Monica Goodwin, Sudan born, and a longtime IAC member. This provocative and informative program is free with registration.

Israel youth tennis exhibition

The IAC is thrilled to again partner with the Israel Tennis and Education Centers for this exhibition. Following a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the kids and coaches will return to Naples on Thursday, March 16 (location and exact time TBD).

The teens represent premier tennis training centers located across Israel. They will put on an inspiring and hard-hitting exhibition, followed by personal stories. ITEC assists disadvantaged youth, bringing Jews and Arab youth together, helping bridge barriers and preparing these teens for their future in Israel.

Chaired by Myra and Bill Benedikt, a Host Committee of tennis enthusiasts is in formation. If you are interested in sharing some ‘love’ for this fundraiser exhibition, please contact Myra at Myra. benedikt@gmail.com

Celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary

What a birthday party it will be! Please join the Greater Naples community on Sunday, March 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at our new Nina Iser Jewish Community Center. Entertainment, including dynamic and spirited Israeli dancers, will bring young and old together for a celebration of our Jewish homeland.

Chaired by Tracy and Michael Askotzky along with Cathy and Phil Zacks, our celebration promises to inspire our passion for Israel. Children’s activities will include rock climbing, bounce house and face painting. Representatives of many Israeli organizations will be on hand to share the achievements and aspiration of Israel into the future.

Don’t forget to circle the date and come celebrate the culture, technology and innovation from this tiny nation. The first 500 guests will receive a free Kona Ice. Please register so we know how many to expect.

Register for these IAC programs directly on the IAC page at https://www.jewishnaples.org/majorevents/iac-israel-advocacy-committee. The Zoom link for these programs will be emailed two hours prior to the start of each event.